iPhone 17 Pro Review: Stunning Camera, All-Day Battery Life
▼ Summary
– The iPhone 17 Pro features a new design that prioritizes function over form, making it a greater departure from the basic iPhone than previous Pro models.
– Apple addressed common complaints about the iPhone Air by creating a Pro model with better battery life and more cameras in a thicker body.
– The iPhone 17 Pro targets a narrower audience this year since the regular iPhone 17 is very capable and shares the same 6.3-inch OLED ProMotion screen.
– The iPhone 17 Pro uses a new aluminum unibody design that covers much of the phone’s back, replacing the titanium frames of earlier Pro models.
– This marks the most extensive use of metal on an iPhone’s back since the iPhone 7 in 2016, moving away from the glass-sandwich design.
Finding the perfect smartphone often involves balancing advanced features with practical, everyday performance. The iPhone 17 Pro carves out a distinct identity this year, moving beyond the familiar formula of simply adding extra capabilities to the standard model. While previous Pro versions felt quite similar to their non-Pro counterparts, this iteration introduces a design philosophy that clearly prioritizes utility and durability. It directly addresses common user requests for improved battery performance and more versatile camera systems, positioning itself as the definitive choice for those who need more than just the basics.
Historically, Apple’s Pro iPhones have offered superior displays and more adaptable camera setups compared to the standard aluminum models. The Max variant has consistently appealed to users wanting a device that bridges the gap between a large phone and a compact tablet. However, the fundamental experience of using one never felt drastically different from the standard iPhone.
This year marks a significant shift. The iPhone 17 Pro feels like a more deliberate departure, engineered to answer the critiques often leveled at the more minimalist iPhone Air. Why choose a phone with shorter battery life and fewer camera lenses? Why not simply make the device slightly thicker to accommodate more powerful components? Apple seems to have taken these questions to heart, creating a phone that proudly showcases its enhanced capabilities.
Given that the standard iPhone 17 is an exceptionally capable device, sharing the same high-quality 6.3-inch OLED ProMotion display, the Pro model is arguably targeting a more niche audience. Its enhancements are precisely calibrated for that specific group. In essence, fewer consumers may feel the need to upgrade to the Pro this cycle, but for professionals and power users who demand peak performance, it delivers a compelling package.
On the design front, Apple has made a bold move. The iPhone 17 Pro abandons the titanium frame seen in its two immediate predecessors, opting instead for a return to aluminum. This isn’t a simple reversion, though. It moves away from the glass-sandwich construction of the standard iPhone 17, introducing a new “aluminum unibody” design. This reformulated chassis also safeguards a significant portion of the phone’s rear panel. This design represents the most metal used on the back of an iPhone since the iconic iPhone 7 from 2016, offering a unique blend of robustness and a distinct tactile feel.
(Source: Ars Technica)
