At first glance, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max appear to be a significant upgrade over their predecessors. Apple has introduced a stunning new design featuring a two-tone aesthetic that beautifully combines an aluminum chassis with glass. The striking “Camera Plateau,” as Apple refers to it, extends the camera module, providing a balanced and appealing look. While some may argue that Google has pioneered this design, Apple has certainly made it their own.
The specifications of the new iPhones may not seem groundbreaking at first—featuring a larger battery, a brighter screen, improved performance, and an upgraded telephoto zoom camera. However, the real magic unfolds when users experience these enhancements collectively. There’s no single feature that shouts “Wow!” but the sum of these improvements creates an undeniable impact. Importantly, these models do not force AI features upon users, allowing for a smoother experience overall. Simply put, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max represent a superior iteration of the iPhone.
The Cosmic Orange color was particularly appealing, but I received the Silver iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Deep Blue iPhone 17 Pro for review. Transitioning from the iPhone Air, I was taken aback by the heft of these devices. They feel significantly more substantial compared to the slim Air model. The new Camera Plateau not only adds visual interest but also improves usability—no more rocking on tables!
Apple’s decision to switch from titanium to aluminum makes the iPhone 17 Pro models lighter while enhancing thermal conductivity. While discussing heat dissipation may not seem captivating, it is an essential improvement in these new iPhones. High-performance tasks, particularly graphically intensive gaming, can cause the device to heat up. If temperatures rise too much, the processor may throttle its performance to prevent overheating, resulting in stutters and skips during gameplay.
With the introduction of a vapor chamber cooling system, Apple addresses these heat management issues. Although vapor chamber cooling is not a new technology—many Android devices have utilized it for some time—the implementation in the iPhone 17 Pro models is noteworthy. The system operates by converting a droplet of water into vapor to absorb heat, subsequently spreading it across the back of the device before condensing back into water. This innovation promises several advantages: enhanced sustained performance and a phone that remains comfortable to hold, even during extended gaming sessions.
During my tests, I played the demanding game Assassin's Creed Mirage on the iPhone 17 Pro, and the performance was noticeably smoother compared to the iPhone 16 Pro. Although the device did heat up, the warmth was evenly distributed across the back, making it more comfortable to hold. With maxed-out graphical settings, I experienced stable frame rates and rarely encountered stutters. The improved A19 Pro chipset plays a crucial role in this enhanced performance. Notably, the A19 Pro offers superior performance compared to the A19 processor in the iPhone Air, which lacks a dedicated graphics core.
Another significant highlight of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max is their impressive battery life. Apple has responded to user requests for thicker phones that can accommodate larger batteries. The new models are indeed thicker and boast the highest battery life claims from Apple yet: up to 33 hours of video playback on the Pro and 39 hours on the Pro Max. In real-world testing, I found myself unconcerned about battery life; the Pro Max provided over five hours of screen-on time with 55 percent battery remaining. The iPhone 17 Pro achieved nearly seven hours of screen-on time and still had 30 percent left. While usage patterns will affect battery life—intense gaming will drain the battery faster—there's a strong possibility that you may not need to charge these phones daily, particularly with the Pro Max.
Both models come equipped with bright displays for optimal visibility in sunlight and support quick recharging with the appropriate adapter. They also remain the only iPhone models with USB 3 data transfer speeds. The two Pro variants share nearly identical features and specifications, with the primary differences being screen size and battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro features a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max sports a larger 6.9-inch panel. The latter, while more challenging to handle, offers the option for an upgrade to 2 terabytes of internal storage.
It is fair to assert that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max reign supreme as the current smartphone camera leaders in the United States. While I haven’t compared them extensively to some of the advanced 1-inch camera systems from Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Huawei, my tests in New York City with the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge yielded interesting results. Generally, the photography capabilities across these devices are comparable, with occasional moments where a competitor outshines the iPhone, particularly the Pixel 10 Pro. However, I consistently found the iPhone's images to be marginally sharper, even though it sometimes struggled with challenging lighting conditions and skin tone accuracy.
The new 4X optical zoom camera is a standout feature, providing impressive quality even at 8X zoom. While it may not always outperform Google's telephoto camera, it still delivers remarkable results. The updated 18-MP selfie camera captures sharper images, although I still prefer how the Pixel renders skin tones. In low-light scenarios, the iPhone can sometimes lift shadows too much, whereas the Pixel manages better contrast. Additionally, the iPhone still faces challenges with Portrait mode in low light, a task that the Pixel executes with ease.
A major strength of the iPhone camera systems lies in video performance, which remains unmatched. The stabilization features are superior, whether using the front or rear cameras. Switching between lenses during video recording is seamless, and low-light video recording yields far less graininess. Google’s Video Boost technology comes close in terms of quality, but it requires enabling and processing time that can be lengthy.
The new Dual Capture feature allows users to record simultaneously with both front and rear cameras, a functionality that has been available through third-party apps. While Samsung has offered this feature in its Galaxy phones for years, my tests revealed that the iPhone 17 Pro's Dual Capture produced significantly better low-light video quality compared to the Galaxy S25 Edge.
In conclusion, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max stand out as exceptional devices. Existing iPhone 15 users may not find a compelling reason to upgrade, while iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 owners with well-functioning devices might consider the switch to USB-C. The improved heat management promotes sustained performance, enhanced battery life reduces the frequency of charging, and the superior camera systems solidify Apple’s position at the forefront of smartphone photography. With so many advancements, what’s not to love about the latest iPhones?
