Apple's latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, have been on the market for a week, and we are excited to share our detailed review after extensive hands-on experience. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using both a Silver iPhone 17 Pro and a Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max. Despite initial concerns regarding scratches and the condition of the iPhone 17 Pro models displayed in Apple Stores, both devices are still in pristine condition after regular home use without cases.
While reports suggested that iPhones were scratching in retail environments, it appears that such occurrences are less common during everyday use. Apple has introduced Ceramic Shield 2 for the front of the iPhone 17 Pro models, making bold claims about its enhanced scratch resistance. So far, Dan's iPhone 17 Pro display has held up remarkably well against common objects like keys and coins, showing no signs of scratches—a notable improvement compared to past iPhone models where pocket items often led to damage.
Additionally, the display features an anti-reflective layer, though the difference in visibility compared to the iPhone 16 Pro is subtle and not a major selling point for consumers.
One of the standout features of the iPhone 17 Pro models is the upgraded vapor chamber cooling system combined with a new aluminum frame designed for better thermal management. Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro models, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max barely heat up during use, which significantly enhances overall performance.
After a week of testing, the battery life of both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max has shown impressive improvements. Particularly, the iPhone 17 Pro Max can last for hours longer than its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, although it does come with a slightly heavier and thicker build.
The front camera on the iPhone 17 Pro models has received significant upgrades, offering much better quality for selfies. The new option for a wider-angle landscape selfie is particularly beneficial for group photos. Additionally, the new Telephoto lens enables up to 8x optical zoom. Under good lighting conditions, photos taken at 8x zoom look fantastic, although low-light performance may not be as strong; however, the 4x lens still delivers satisfactory results in darker settings.
If you are contemplating an upgrade from an older phone to one of the iPhone 17 Pro models, it may be well worth your investment. The substantial thermal improvements, the confirmed scratch resistance, and the remarkable battery life collectively make a compelling case for the upgrade. If you already own an iPhone 17 Pro, we invite you to share your experiences in the comments section below.
