Apple has unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro as part of its September event, alongside the standard iPhone 17 and a new, ultra-slim iPhone Air. The headline features of the Pro line include a striking new Cosmic Orange color option, a significantly improved 8x optical zoom camera, and a powerful A19 Pro chip. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 (£1,099, AU$1,999) with 256 GB of storage, while the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced at $1,199. Preorders are now open.
Design and Display
The most noticeable change is the redesigned rear camera unit. It now spans the entire top of the phone, providing more space for batteries and the updated telephoto lens. While the frame now uses aluminum instead of titanium – a departure from the iPhone 15 Pro – Apple emphasizes the durability of the unibody construction and the new “Ceramic Shield” front and back glass, which is claimed to be three times more scratch-resistant. The front of the phone remains largely unchanged from previous models, with the Dynamic Island continuing to interrupt the display.
The new range introduces a vibrant orange color, a welcome shift from the darker tones often associated with the Pro models.
Camera Enhancements
The iPhone 17 Pro boasts substantial camera upgrades. The optical zoom now reaches 8x, doubling the range of the previous generation. This provides an equivalent focal length of 200mm, a boon for photographers seeking to capture distant subjects. The telephoto camera’s sensor is 56% larger and offers 48 megapixels of resolution.
While the main and ultrawide cameras retain their existing hardware and 48-megapixel resolution, the front camera has been updated with a new 18-megapixel sensor capable of capturing square-format images and offering improved digital stabilization for video recording.
Video professionals will appreciate the ability to record in Apple’s ProRes Raw codec, a high-fidelity format favored in the film industry that captures more data for more accurate post-processing.
A19 Pro Chip and Performance
The A19 Pro processor provides improved CPU and GPU performance, estimated to be 40% better than the iPhone 16 Pro. To prevent overheating, a new thermal management system utilizes a vapor chamber filled with de-ionized water to actively cool the phone. Apple also claims the aluminum frame dissipates heat twenty times better than the titanium design used in earlier models.
iOS 26: A Fresh Software Look
The iPhone 17 Pro will ship with iOS 26, featuring a redesigned user interface. The “Liquid Glass” design emphasizes transparency and brightness, creating a more modern aesthetic. While the changes aren’t radical, they aim to keep the software feeling fresh without requiring a significant learning curve.
Battery Life Improvements
Apple claims the iPhone 17 Pro incorporates the largest battery ever used in an iPhone, resulting in the best battery life to date. Specific battery size details are not yet available, but real-world performance remains to be seen.
The iPhone 17 Pro’s release coincides with new Apple products, including the iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3 with live translation, and Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Watch Ultra 3.
The iPhone 17 Pro offers meaningful upgrades in camera capabilities, processor performance, and design, reinforcing Apple’s position in the premium smartphone market. Its combination of enhanced features and a fresh aesthetic makes it a compelling option for existing iPhone users and those seeking a high-end smartphone experience.
