Elon Musk Uses iPhone 17 Pro Amid OpenAI Legal Battle

By: Harsh Vardhan

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Updated on: 29-Apr-2026

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Elon Musk, the world's richest man and CEO of Tesla and xAI, currently uses an iPhone 17 Pro series phone. This information came to light after a recent viral photograph showed Musk holding the device while entering a federal courtroom in California. The photo was taken ahead of a hearing for his ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI.

Key Highlights

• Elon Musk uses an iPhone 17 Pro as his daily smartphone.
• Musk was photographed with the device before a federal court hearing in California.
• Other tech leaders use iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, or Pixel devices depending on preference.
• Musk has previously praised iPhone camera quality and confirmed iPhone use in public statements.
• Musk is currently suing OpenAI, seeking damages and leadership changes.

Musk was seen with a deep blue iPhone 17 Pro, confirming his preference for Apple's latest technology. This has drawn attention, as Musk has previously suggested he might develop an alternative smartphone, even hinting at a potential Tesla phone. However, his choice remains with a mainstream device.

Tech Leaders and Their Phone Choices

Many influential tech leaders use either iPhones or high-end Samsung devices. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, often carries Samsung Galaxy Ultra phones, favoring Android's flexibility. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, prefers the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold for its productivity features. Tim Cook, Apple CEO, uses the latest iPhone models. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, rotates between the newest Pixel devices and other brands for testing purposes.

These choices often reflect their roles within their respective companies or personal preferences for certain ecosystems. While Musk has praised iPhone cameras, especially for video quality, other leaders select devices that best suit their needs or company affiliations.

Musk's History with Apple Devices

This is not the first time Musk has shown a preference for Apple products. He has publicly complimented iPhone cameras on several occasions. When Apple CEO Tim Cook shared photos taken with the iPhone 15 Pro Max by photographers Stephen Wilkes and Reuben Wu, Musk responded on X, stating, "The beauty of iPhone pictures and video is incredible." During discussions about the iPhone 15 Pro series camera, Musk also confirmed he was using an iPhone at that time.

Musk's current use of the iPhone 17 Pro comes as he faces a significant legal dispute with OpenAI. He co-founded OpenAI in 2015 and is now suing the organization, alleging it has deviated from its original non-profit mission and excluded him from decision-making. Musk seeks billions in damages and structural changes, including shifts in leadership. OpenAI has denied these claims, attributing Musk's actions to frustration following his departure.