Apple’s storage and RAM upgrades have become notoriously pricey, and nowhere is that clearer than on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The 2TB version sits at a staggering $1,999—more than some high-end laptops. One veteran modder, DirectorFeng, has shown there’s a way to save roughly $800 by swapping the internal storage yourself, but the catch is huge: this is an expert-only, equipment-heavy operation that most people should never attempt.
According to his teardown and rebuild, the stock 256GB NAND in the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a Toshiba module labeled K5A4. Simply “formatting” or repurposing it for a higher capacity isn’t possible. The phone requires a specific, compatible NAND flash chip, and the entire job hinges on specialized machinery, deep microsoldering experience, and the right workflow. Even the 1TB and 2TB chips he examined share the same length but differ in thickness and width, adding another layer of complexity to placement and fitment.
For the successful upgrade, he replaced the original 256GB chip with a Toshiba K6B3 2TB module. The process involved tin planting, rosin fuming, carefully soldering the chip onto the logic board, and then securing it with BGA black glue before running it through reflow soldering to lock it in place. After reassembly, the iPhone was connected to a Mac to flash iOS and complete the initialization. This time, the phone booted and recognized the full 2TB, unlike an earlier attempt on a different iPhone model that failed—likely due to a mismatch in NAND compatibility.
The result wasn’t just more space. In storage-focused benchmarks, the upgraded iPhone 17 Pro Max posted higher scores than it did with the original 256GB module, suggesting tangible performance benefits beyond capacity. That said, these gains come with serious risks. This is not a weekend DIY project. Without precision tools and years of board-level repair experience, you’re far more likely to destroy the device than save money. You’ll also void any warranty and could permanently lose your data.
Bottom line: the iPhone 17 Pro Max can be upgraded to 2TB at a fraction of Apple’s asking price—but only in the hands of a skilled professional who understands the intricacies of iPhone logic boards and NAND pairing. For everyone else, the safer path is to choose the storage you need at purchase or consult a reputable repair specialist who’s proven they can perform this kind of work.
