Author Recommends 5 iPhone 17 Pro Max Accessories Under $50

Q: Are hidden everyday items quietly ruining your iPhone 17 Pro Max screen despite its advanced Ceramic Shield 2 technology?

Yes. Ceramic Shield 2 makes the iPhone 17 Pro Max more resistant to drops, but it does not make the screen immune to everyday scratches. The main risk comes from ordinary debris that is harder than it looks: pocket sand, tiny grains of grit, loose coins, keys, and even dust trapped in a bag or pocket. Multiple durability reports on recent iPhone glass show Ceramic Shield 2 still picks up scratches at roughly the same hardness level as earlier premium smartphone glass. In practice, that means the screen can stay intact after a fall yet still collect fine scratches over time. That is why a screen protector remains one of the most practical accessories for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, despite Apple’s upgraded glass. Tempered-glass protectors are widely recommended because they act as a sacrificial layer, preserve the display’s oleophobic coating, and help protect resale value. Modern easy-apply kits with pull tabs or alignment frames also reduce the usual frustration of bubbles, dust, and crooked placement. A case matters too. Stronger front glass does not protect the aluminum or titanium edges, camera bump, or back glass from daily wear and accidental drops. For a large phone like the 17 Pro Max, a MagSafe grip accessory can also reduce the chance of drops in the first place. So the hidden threat is real: not dramatic impacts, but constant low-level abrasion from ordinary items. Ceramic Shield 2 improves durability, but it does not eliminate the need for protection.

3 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · Aug 16

$50 is the ceiling for five accessories the author says materially improve the iPhone 17 Pro Max after a phone purchase starting at $1,200.
A screen protector with a pull-tab applicator and a MagSafe PopSocket top the list, aimed at reducing scratches, drops and one-handed handling problems on the large phone.
Power and charging gear make up the rest: UGREEN’s 10,000 mAh magnetic power bank, Anker’s 65W GaN charger and Belkin’s 2-in-1 Qi2 foldable stand.
Those picks focus on practical upgrades Apple does not fully cover out of the box, including easier protection, wireless charging, portable power and multi-device charging.