Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro is drawing plenty of attention for being one of the company’s boldest upgrades in years. With a completely reworked plateau design, major camera changes, and improved battery life, the Pro models sit at the top of Apple’s lineup alongside the iPhone Air. Early reviews suggest Apple has finally delivered flagships that feel fresh again.
Design and display
Reviewers agree the redesign is the most striking shift in years. John Velasco of Tom’s Guide called it “exactly what was needed to evolve the Pro’s design language,” highlighting the two-tone aluminum unibody and bold new Cosmic Orange finish. Patrick Holland at CNET echoed that sentiment, saying the Pro Max in orange “begs you to look its way” with the full-width camera plateau.
Both Pro models feature Ceramic Shield 2 for improved durability and Super Retina XDR displays that now reach 3,000 nits outdoors. Julian Chokkattu of Wired noted the phones are “chunky and heavy,” but praised the new plateau, adding that it gives the design “more character with a two-tone separation of glass and aluminum.”
Cameras
All iPhone 17 Pro models now carry a triple 48MP system, including wide, ultrawide, and telephoto sensors. Velasco pointed to the telephoto as the biggest leap, saying it “achieves 8x optical-quality zoom captured at 12-megapixels.” Holland emphasized the new 18MP Center Stage front camera, calling it “a selfie machine” that allows both portrait and landscape framing without rotating the device.
Chokkattu described the array as “the current smartphone camera kings,” citing sharper detail and video performance that remains unmatched. David Phelan at The Independent agreed, writing that the results look “natural and real,” crediting Apple’s fusion photography technique for balancing sharpness and brightness across all lenses.
Performance
Powered by the new A19 Pro chip and a vapor chamber cooling system, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max handle demanding apps with ease. Velasco said the phones feel “fast, so running apps and other basic operations are handled smoothly.” Chokkattu highlighted sustained performance in gaming tests, explaining that “frames per second were noticeably more stable, and I rarely saw stutters at all.”
Cherlynn Low at Engadget noted the improvements in heat management compared to past models, writing that the Pro phones “stayed cool” even after extended gaming — a sharp contrast to the iPhone 16 Pro.
Battery
Battery life is one area where the Pro and Pro Max diverge. Velasco’s testing found the smaller Pro lasted 15 hours and 32 minutes, while Holland described the Pro Max’s endurance as “the best CNET has ever tested,” often ending heavy-use days with over 20% charge remaining. Chokkattu concluded both models comfortably stretch past a full day, adding that the Pro Max “might not need to be charged every night anymore.”
Verdict
Taken together, reviews frame the iPhone 17 Pro series as Apple’s most substantial flagship upgrade in years. The redesigned plateau body, advanced triple-camera system, and stronger endurance make them stand out, even if their heavier build and higher prices draw some criticism. Phelan summarized them as offering “performance without compromise,” while Holland wrote that Apple has finally given its Pro phones “personality.”
Whether you prefer the more compact iPhone 17 Pro or the larger Pro Max with unmatched battery life, Apple’s flagship lineup now feels like a genuine step forward in both design and function.
Comparison: iPhone 17 lineup
| Model | Display | Cameras | Chip | Battery life (est.) | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | 6.1-inch OLED, 2000 nits | Dual 48MP + 12MP | A18 | All-day | $799 |
| iPhone Air | 6.5-inch OLED, 3000 nits | 48MP Fusion + 18MP front | A19 Pro | All-day+ | $999 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 6.3-inch OLED, 3000 nits | Triple 48MP + 18MP front | A19 Pro | ~15.5 hours | $1,099 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 6.9-inch OLED, 3000 nits | Triple 48MP + 18MP front | A19 Pro | Best tested (20+ hrs) | $1,199 |
Check out some video reviews for the iPhone 17 Pro below:
