Modder guts iPhone 17 Pro Max to spite Apple
A technician upgraded an iPhone 17 Pro Max from 256 gigabytes to 2 terabytes of storage, saving $800 compared with Apple’s retail price of $1,999 for the larger capacity model. YouTuber DirectorFeng documented the complex modification process that required specialized equipment and technical expertise unavailable to typical consumers.
The procedure involved removing the original Toshiba K5A4 flash module and soldering a 2TB K6B3 chip to the logic board using tin-plating and rosin treatment. The modder secured the component with BGA adhesive and heated it to 100 degrees Celsius for 40 minutes in a reflow soldering oven before reassembling the device.
After connecting the modified phone to a Mac and installing iOS, the upgraded storage functioned properly and achieved higher benchmark scores than the original 256GB configuration. The successful modification contrasts with a previous failed attempt on an iPhone Air that used incompatible flash components.
The technical complexity makes the upgrade impractical for most users without professional assistance or years of specialized training in electronics repair.
