Apple has lifted the curtain, the wait is over: the new iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro have been officially presented.
The two most powerful and important Apple phones are joined by the newcomer iPhone Air, which is the model that replaces the bigger Plus variant, that's essentially history now. There's also the "vanilla" iPhone 17, of course.
iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro key takeaways
Image by Apple
You can't ignore it: Cupertino has introduced a refreshed design for the 17 Pro duo. There's a massive, wide horizontal camera bar on the back of the devices which houses a triple 48 MP camera setup with several surprises. The phone has a larger battery this time around (compared to its predecessor), a vapor chamber and the A19 Pro chipset that many are eager to test. Yes, us included.
iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max specs in a nutshell:
6.3-inch display (17 Pro) and 6.9-inch display (17 Pro Max) with 120Hz refresh rate
Triple 48 MP rear camera setup with a versatile telephoto (4x–8x), plus a new Center Stage selfie
Larger batteries compared to the iPhone 16 Pro models
A new design on the back panel
A vapor chamber for the first time
Large, bright displays
Apple is clearly not desperate about slapping larger displays in 2025. There's no need for such a move, given that the transition from the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max:
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion up to 120Hz, Always-On, and a record 3000 nits of peak outdoor brightness.
There's Ceramic Shield 2 on the front for extra protection that offers 3x better scratch resistance and reduced glare. For the first time, Ceramic Shield 1 is applied to the back of the iPhone.
The new A19 Pro chipset is here
Image by Apple
At the heart of the iPhone 17 Pro duo is the A19 Pro chipset, which should make these flagship phones fly high in terms of power and performance.
Apple's new A19 Pro silicon brings up to 40% better sustained performance compared to the A18 Pro thanks to the new cooling system on board. The 6-core CPU and GPU, combined with a 16-core Neural Engine, should enhance AI tasks, graphics, and high-end gaming with features like ray tracing and higher frame rates.
The iPhone 17 series also debuts the N1 wireless chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity while boosting the speed and reliability of connectivity features such as AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.
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Image by Apple
To keep the lights on, larger batteries are a welcome addition to both models. Now, Apple doesn't brag about specific mAh numbers, but there are indications that users could enjoy the following:
iPhone 17 Pro – 3,988 mAh
iPhone 17 Pro (eSIM) – 4,252 mAh
iPhone 17 Pro Max – 4,823 mAh
iPhone 17 Pro Max (eSIM) – 5,088mAh
So, if you're into large batteries, be sure to get an eSIM-only model, if possible.
Compared to the Chinese flagships which are at 6,000 and 7,000 mAh already, things do not look well for Apple (on paper), but (in reality) we know that Apple has optimized iOS well enough to take advantage of the battery really well.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max support fast(er) charging, reaching 50% in 20 minutes when paired with a high-wattage USB-C adapter such as Apple's new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max (it'll be available in the US and several other regions across the world).
However, be sure to check our PhoneArena battery testing results – they're coming soon. The iPhone 17 Pro Max "offers the best battery life ever in an iPhone", the company said. We'll see about that.
Also, Apple launches the iPhone 17 Pro with a new vapor chamber cooling system, marking the first time the feature appears in an iPhone.
The chamber covers a large area inside the device, pulling heat away from both the chipset and memory to maintain stable performance without throttling. Apple also drops titanium in favor of an aluminum chassis, which, together with the new cooling system, helps address the overheating issues seen in past models.
With AI now central to smartphones, this upgrade ensures the iPhone 17 Pro runs cooler and more reliably, even under heavy workloads.
Speaking of AI, 12 GB of RAM should be on the new phones and I'd be surprised if apps and games would lag and stutter. Artificial intelligence needs more RAM, so that's a positive move.
New operating system
iOS 26 brings a refreshed design with Liquid Glass, making apps and system experiences more expressive while keeping the interface familiar. Apple Intelligence adds on-device Live Translation, enhanced visual intelligence for searching and acting on content, and privacy-protected features that work offline. The update also introduces new tools for calls and messages, as well as improvements across CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, Wallet, and a new Apple Games app.
iOS 26 will be available as a free software update on Monday, September 15.
New accessories
Image by Apple
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max introduce new accessories, including the TechWoven Case with a textured, multi-colored fabric and scratch-resistant coating, available in five colors. Apple also offers a Clear Case and Silicone Case with MagSafe in multiple colors, as well as a Crossbody Strap made from recycled yarn that pairs with both cases for hands-free use. These accessories combine style, protection, and convenience, giving users more ways to personalize and carry their iPhone.
A new design: here's the plateau
Image by Apple
On the outside, notable changes are present – those who've complained about Apple releasing "the same phone" for years, can now rejoice. There's a rear camera island – Apple calls it "plateau" – that's both wide and tall, although not as protruding as some were afraid it would be. Apple has dropped titanium and the new Pro duo is made out of aluminum.
Some say this (the horizontal camera bar) is a very Pixel-like change, but I personally don't see it that way – Google's flagship has a distinct visor camera bar which can't be mistaken for Apple's new outlook.
The iPhone 17 Pro series integrates antennas around the device's perimeter, delivering the most advanced and highest-performing antenna system Apple has ever used in an iPhone.
Overall, the phone is sleek and stylish – and very much true to the recent-year iPhone philosophy.
Photography and videography goodness
Image by Apple
The most important thing about the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max duo is, it seems, the rear 48 MP Fusion camera setup.
There's a new 48 MP 4x dedicated telephoto camera (a promising upgrade over the 12 MP one found in its predecessor) and it's a potent one, offering up to 8x of optical zoom via sensor crop-in. That's well over the 5x optical zoom that the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers.
Though not meant for portraits, 8x can truly excel in terms of wildlife photography or taking a shot of something really far away. The good news is that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro duo offers a 4x–8x optical zoom, thanks to a clever technique that we've seen in other phones.
Image by Apple
The new 48 MP telephoto features a larger tetraprism sensor, so this should improve clarity in bright light and capture more detail in low light. With a 4x optical zoom at 100mm and an 8x optical zoom (via sensor crop-in) at 200mm, users gain both classic portrait options and the longest reach ever on an iPhone. Digital zoom now extends up to 40x, complemented by an updated Photonic Engine that enhances color accuracy, reduces noise, and preserves natural detail, alongside new customizable Photographic Styles.
On the front, Apple debuts the Center Stage camera with the first square sensor on an iPhone, offering up to 18 MP resolution and a wider field of view. This allows users to capture more detail, take group selfies with AI-powered auto-expansion, and switch seamlessly between portrait and landscape orientations without physically re-orienting the phone. The camera also enables ultra-stabilized 4K HDR video, along with Dual Capture to record from front and back cameras simultaneously.
For video professionals, the iPhone 17 Pro lineup offers Dolby Vision HDR, 4K120 fps, ProRes Log, and ACES support. Apple says they are also the first smartphones to record in ProRes RAW and Log 2, while introducing genlock for precise multi-camera synchronization, reducing the need for manual adjustments in editing.
Previously, the front-facing camera was using a 12 MP sensor. Given that Apple selfies do excel in terms of "shareability" (iPhone selfies often look great even without post-processing), the new sensor should take things to the next level.
Packing muscle where it matters
Image by Apple
Until our in-house PhoneArena tests are up, nothing is 100% certain about the new phones.
But I have to say, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feel like a substantial leap rather than a cautious step. The horizontal camera bar instantly stands out. Personally, I'm most intrigued by the vapor chamber cooling and the new zoom camera.
As I said, an 8x telephoto may sound excessive for portraits, but as someone who likes to capture landscapes and wildlife, I can see myself actually using that range. The 8K video support also feels like Apple finally catching up to demands that power users have been voicing for a while.
Would I buy it?
Definitely yes, if I was searching for the best iPhone out there – the mix of a cooler, more reliable phone and sharper cameras makes it appealing to me. Plus, the larger battery is a great plus!
For anyone still on an iPhone 14 or earlier, this feels like the upgrade that might finally be worth it. And since we plan to get more hands-on time with the iPhone 17 Pro soon, expect a deeper review where we'll see how these promises hold up in day-to-day use.
Price and availability
Image by Apple
The iPhone 17 Pro starts with 256 GB of storage, doubling the previous entry-level capacity, and is also available in 512 GB and 1 TB. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a 2 TB option for the first time.
Both models come in:
Cosmic Orange
Deep Blue
Silver
Prices start at $1,099 for the iPhone 17 Pro and $1,199 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, or monthly payment plans of $45.79 and $49.95, respectively. Apple Trade In and carrier programs offer credits of up to $1,100 for eligible devices. Pre-orders begin September 12 in over 63 countries, with availability starting September 19, and an additional 22 countries will receive the phones starting September 26.
Some countries will get eSIM-only models exclusively.
Which of the two models is the one for you?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max!
52.47%
The iPhone 17 Pro.
17.88%
Neither.
29.65%
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Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
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