iPhone 17 Pro Max sealed in time capsule until 2276

An iPhone 17 Pro Max has been sealed inside a time capsule that is not expected to be opened until 2276, according to MacRumors.

The Cosmic Orange device was placed inside the capsule to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The sealing ceremony took place in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.

The smartphone was included as part of the America Innovates initiative, representing the cutting edge of modern technology. Its Notes app contains a collection of digital artifacts intended to give people in the 23rd century a glimpse into everyday life in 2026.

The capsule itself was developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It consists of a stainless steel cylinder weighing around 400 kilograms and sealed with indium. The soft metal deforms under pressure, filling microscopic gaps in the seal.

The cylinder was then covered with a massive steel dome weighing 500 kilograms. The structure creates a protective air pocket designed to keep the capsule completely dry underground.

Alongside the iPhone, the capsule contains historical artifacts from every US state and territory. Among them are an eagle feather dating back to the Civil War era and a piece of fabric from a Wright brothers aircraft.

The collection also includes an AI-generated text created by Claude imagining the future of California.