What phone Elon Musk using in 2026? It's revealed and it is no surprise

Elon Musk was photographed carrying an iPhone 17 Pro Max as he arrived at a California federal court for the OpenAI trial. The sighting reinforces his long-running use of Apple devices even as his feud with Sam Altman moves into a closely watched case.

In Short

• Musk was seen holding a popular smartphone in viral courtroom photo
• His daily driver is a phone he has long appreciated for its camera qualities 
• Musk’s sighting with this phone comes amid high-stakes legal battle with OpenAI

There’s always a certain curiosity around what phones billionaires use. Do they carry some secret prototype? A custom-built device no one else can buy? Or do they stick to the same phones most people already have in their pockets? Well, as far as the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, is concerned, we have some idea now. Elon Musk is apparently using an iPhone 17 Pro series phone.

The confirmation of what phone the Tesla and xAI boss uses as his daily driver comes from a recent viral photo. Musk was photographed while entering a federal courtroom in California ahead of the hearing of his ongoing case against OpenAI. In the photo, he is seen holding what appears to be an iPhone 17 Pro series phone in a deep blue colour.

Seeing the ultra-rich with iPhones is not new. But for someone who has often hinted at building an alternative smartphone, even teasing the idea of a Tesla phone, his current choice is definitely piquing interest.

Although this is not the first time, we’ve seen Musk lean towards an Apple device. He has, on multiple occasions, praised iPhone cameras, especially for video quality. In fact, a few years ago, when Apple CEO Tim Cook shared photos by world-renowned photographers Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu, showcasing the capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Musk responded on X, saying, “The beauty of iPhone pictures and video is incredible.”

It’s also not the first time Musk has hinted at using an iPhone. During one of the discussions around the iPhone 15 Pro series camera, he made it clear that he was using an iPhone.

So, is the iPhone “the phone” of choice for billionaires? Not quite. Many of the world’s most powerful tech leaders tend to stick with either iPhones or top-tier Samsung devices. Mark Zuckerberg for instance is often seen with Samsung Galaxy Ultra phones, leaning into Android’s flexibility. Bill Gates prefers a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold for its productivity perks, while Tim Cook naturally uses the latest iPhone. Sundar Pichai is known to rotate between the latest Pixel devices and others for testing. The choices vary depending on their roles — some lead the companies behind these devices, while others choose based on preference and ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Musk’s casual reveal of his latest phone comes at a time when he is heading into court for a major legal battle involving OpenAI, the company he co-founded in 2015. He is suing OpenAI alleging that the organisation strayed from its original non-profit mission and sidelined him in the process. Musk is seeking billions in damages and structural changes, including leadership shifts. OpenAI has denied the claims, arguing that Musk’s actions stem from frustration after his departure.

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