Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: A super phone with a tough fight

Greatest Costs In the present day: Apple iPhone 17 Professional

It’s simple to imagine the perfect iPhone to purchase is the iPhone Professional and for a very long time that’s been true in case you’re in search of the perfect Apple has to supply by way of energy, digital camera, battery and show efficiency. For years, the iPhone Professional fashions have tied all these attributes up into one neat little package deal. Or huge package deal in case you think about the iPhone Professional Max. 

For the primary time in a very long time although, the iPhone 17 Professional specifically, has a harder struggle on its fingers to be thought of the only option. The iPhone 17 Professional Max will win individuals over for providing the largest show and longest battery lifetime of the newest iPhone fashions, however with the iPhone 17 Professional having the identical show because the cheaper iPhone 17, an analogous a battery life and the identical entrance digital camera, does the iPhone 17 Professional do sufficient to warrant its place?

I’ve been utilizing it for the final month because it was introduced to search out out what you get with the iPhone 17 Professional over the iPhone 17 and if there’s nonetheless a adequate motive to purchase it.

Design & Construct 

• Aluminium body with glass, IP68 rated
• 204g; 8.75mm thick
• Ceramic Defend 2 entrance, Ceramic Defend again

Apple refreshed the design of its Professional fashions for 2025, extra so than it has achieved in the previous couple of years. Each the iPhone 17 Professional and the iPhone 17 Professional Max are nonetheless distinguished by the three lenses within the prime left nook of their rears, however these lenses now sit inside what Apple is looking a ‘Plateau’.

Basically, it is a giant raised part that spans the width of the cellphone, not too dissimilar to what Google does on its Pixels, although round double the dimensions.

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The ‘Plateau’ is aluminium slightly than glass, nevertheless, forming a seamless end between the body and this raised part, which isn’t only for the digital camera lenses, however it’s additionally the place Apple is housing numerous the iPhone 17 Professional’s inside elements. You will have noticed I stated aluminium there slightly than titanium and that’s one other change that’s occurred this yr for the iPhone 17 Professional.

I don’t suppose its as sturdy because the titanium body of the iPhone 16 Professional (although nonetheless IP68 as you’d count on), and the iPhone 17 Professional is marginally heavier too, however except you’re upgrading from final yr’s fashions, you could not discover.

What you’ll little doubt spot nevertheless, is the dual-textured end. Beneath that ‘Plateau’ on the prime of the rear is a glass panel. That is protected by Ceramic Defend for the primary time, a cloth beforehand used to guard the shows on the entrance of the iPhone 16 Professional. The panel is considerably colour-matched to the body, although not utterly, leading to a extra rugged look than the Professionals have had up to now. 

The 2-tone end makes the glass panel seem like a charging pad, which is precisely why it’s there, whether or not you just like the look or not. A (MagSafe) charging pad to cost the cellphone, that’s, because the 17 Professional (or Professional Max) doesn’t assist reverse wi-fi charging.

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I’m nonetheless on the fence with the design, although as I stated in my iPhone 17 Professional Max evaluation, it’s rising on me. Of the three finishes – Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange and Silver – it’s the Cosmic Orange I might select, however that’s me. The Deep Blue hides the dual-textured end higher than the others, however the Cosmic Orange is probably the most placing total (although some customers have been having discolouration points with it).

Controversially, there’s no normal black choice for the iPhone 17 Professional this yr, which could displease those that desire a extra refined end. 

Twin-material end and ‘Plateau’ apart and the iPhone 17 Professional is just like the iPhone 16 Professional by way of its operate buttons. The customisable Motion Button sits on the highest left edge rather than the earlier silence toggle, whereas the Digital camera Management button is on the underside proper edge.

I take advantage of each of those repeatedly, selecting to launch WhatsApp with the Motion Button and repeatedly opening the digital camera with the Digital camera Management button, in addition to utilizing it to take a photograph. I don’t use it to regulate zoom or publicity (which is fiddly), although you may if you wish to. 

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The iPhone 17 Professional is far more compact than the iPhone 17 Professional Max and subsequently extra manageable one-handed. It’s heavier than the iPhone Air (which has a bigger show) and the iPhone 17 (which has the identical dimension show), however it’s a well-balanced cellphone and a pleasure to make use of.

Display & Audio system

• 6.3-inch, 120Hz, 2622 x 1206, OLED
• 3000 nits peak brightness
• Stereo audio system

The Apple iPhone 17 Professional has a 6.3-inch show and it’s attractive however as I alluded to originally of this evaluation, there’s something to notice right here in comparison with the iPhone 17 Professional Max: it’s precisely the identical show because the common iPhone 17 this time. That’s nice information for the usual mannequin however not so nice for the iPhone 17 Professional as there’s one much less motive to spend the additional money on the Professional. 

The iPhone 17 Professional Max doesn’t have this challenge because it lays declare to providing the largest show within the iPhone lineup, however with the iPhone 17 rising in dimension to the identical because the iPhone 17 Professional, and providing the identical expertise like ProMotion, the smaller iPhone 17 Professional has a harder job on its fingers to win favour. 

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Nonetheless, the show remains to be fantastic and in contrast to the iPhone 17 Professional Max, it’s simple to succeed in the highest with one hand. The ProMotion tech means every part from scrolling by means of social media to gaming and studying the information is superb, whereas viewing angles are additionally nice, as is element, with every part from the time stamp within the prime left nook of the display screen to app icons good and sharp.

There’s excellent distinction too, as you’d count on from an OLED show, with inky blacks, vibrant whites and vibrant colors so the iPhone 17 Professional, like the opposite fashions within the new line up, makes for a superb content material viewing gadget.

The iPhone 16 Professional presents all these show attributes I’ve simply talked about too, together with the Dynamic Island characteristic that I’m an enormous fan of, and have been because it was first introduced in 2022. It permits for significantly better multi-tasking than was attainable earlier than the iPhone 14 Professional, switching music tracks or turning off timers with out having to depart no matter you’re doing on the primary show.

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The place the iPhone 17 Professional presents one thing additional over the iPhone 16 Professional, nevertheless, is a bump in brightness. The height brightness now tops out at 3,000 nits and when you received’t at all times see the good thing about that as it’ll solely kick in at sure instances, it does make viewing the iPhone 17 Professional outdoors on a sunny day simpler. Images look beautiful too and it helps while you’re watching HDR content material.

With regards to the audio system on the iPhone 17 Professional, there’s no change right here in comparison with the iPhone 16 Professional. That’s no dangerous factor although because the audio system do a adequate job if it is advisable to take heed to a voice notice or watch a fast video and also you’ve forgotten your headphones. They aren’t going to compete with a Bluetooth speaker and so they received’t be loud sufficient to get a backyard get together going, however they’re will do what you want for informal listening. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Apple A19 Professional
• 12GB RAM
• As much as 1TB storage

The Apple iPhone 17 Professional runs on the corporate’s most superior processor, the A19 Professional. That’s the identical as what you will see that within the iPhone 17 Professional Max, in addition to the iPhone Air, whereas the common iPhone 17 drops the ‘Professional’ to supply the A19 below its hood.

As you’d count on, efficiency is great from the iPhone 17 Professional. Every thing is buttery clean, from opening apps to switching between duties. I performed video games, edited pictures and went about all my normal day-to-day duties with none signal of lag or stutter.

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Apple additionally added a vapour chamber contained in the iPhone 17 Professional fashions for the primary time this yr and I did discover it was cooler than my iPhone 16 Professional once I was gaming for lengthy intervals. When you take a look at the benchmark scores, the A19 Professional does are available below the checks we ran on a reference gadget operating the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 that may energy quite a few upcoming Android flagship telephones, however as I stated with the iPhone 17 Professional Max, I didn’t need for something efficiency sensible on the iPhone 17 Professional.

The bottom storage for the iPhone 17 Professional has elevated from the conventional 128GB to 256GB, although pricing isn’t the identical (very similar to the Pixel 10 Professional XL), so that you don’t get double the storage for ‘free’ such as you do on the common iPhone 17.

When you don’t suppose 256GB shall be sufficient, then there may be additionally a 512GB mannequin and a 1TB mannequin for the iPhone 17 Professional, however no 2TB mannequin just like the iPhone 17 Professional Max. I believe it’s unlikely most will want even want 1TB, given I’ve 65,000 pictures, 2,500 movies and 263 apps put in and that’s solely utilizing 160GB, however in case you are somebody that shoots numerous RAW pictures, you would possibly discover you want these additional storage choices.

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Elsewhere on the spec entrance, the iPhone 17 Professional is assumed to have 12GB of RAM (Apple doesn’t formally specify), and there may be additionally a brand new N1 chip inside for wi-fi networking.

That chip helps Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, and it’s designed to enhance the general efficiency and reliability in issues like utilizing AirDrop while doing one thing else, or connecting a number of purchasers to your iPhone hotspot. I had no networking points with the iPhone 17 Professional, which I’m taking as a great signal for the N1, even when I can’t say I observed any large efficiency enhancements whereas utilizing my hotspot in comparison with the iPhone 16 Professional.

Cameras 

• 48Mp principal, f/1.78 sensor
• 48Mp ultra-wide, f/2.2 sensor
• 48Mp telephoto, f/1.78 sensor
• 18Mp, f/1.9 entrance digital camera with Centre Stage

I’ve talked about a number of areas the place the iPhone 17 Professional is now on par with the common iPhone 17 because of main enhancements to the common mannequin, however digital camera is one space the place the Professional mannequin is a number of steps forward.

That’s largely right down to its 48Mp telephoto sensor, which the iPhone 17 doesn’t supply, however it has a unique principal digital camera and ultrawide digital camera too, with each bigger sensors than the usual mannequin.

Outcomes from all three rear lenses are glorious, with nice consistency and pictures that provide a stunning, pure color accuracy and fantastic element. I’m not an expert photographer, however the fantastic thing about the iPhone 17 Professional is its point-and-shoot method that makes it very troublesome to take a foul photograph.

For these which are into images, there are eight focal lenses to flick between – Macro to 200mm – all of which you are able to do simply from the on-screen controls. 

The 8x optical zoom (up from the iPhone 16 Professional’s 5x) helps you to get that little bit nearer to the topic and it delivers some sensible photographs of nonetheless topics like landmarks. The principle sensor in the meantime, is nice for photos of your pets and children, whereas the ultrawide sensor takes some pretty panorama photographs.

I discovered the iPhone 17 Professional to be nice in all lighting circumstances too, with Evening Mode kicking in mechanically when wanted and never taking an age to seize the second.

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Often the entrance digital camera in a evaluation will solely get a short point out however the iPhone 17 Professional’s selfie digital camera is as spectacular because the rear. It needs to be famous that the common iPhone 17 and iPhone Air share this sensor too so the hole is being closed once more, however it’s a superb digital camera and one which needs to be applauded. 

Not solely does it characteristic the Centre Stage expertise you will see that on iPad and Mac, making certain you keep within the body even in case you transfer round, however the framing will adapt if extra individuals be a part of your video name or selfie too. The sensor can be sq., which lets you seize portrait and panorama selfies with out rotating the cellphone. You may faucet on the on-screen controls simply above the shutter button, or you may permit the software program to adapt mechanically.

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There are numerous nice options on the iPhone 17 Professional, however that is one in all my favourites. It leads to higher selfies total, not simply because of the rise in decision from 12- to 18Mp, however having the ability to maintain your cellphone vertically for a selfie is extra pure and everybody is aware of the place to look too.

There are some neat methods for video too, the place the iPhone remains to be the perfect within the wider market. A brand new Twin Seize options allows the entrance digital camera and rear digital camera to report concurrently.

It really works nicely in use and is nice for issues like sports activities occasions or live shows the place you need to movie your response alongside what’s taking place. There’s additionally Motion Mode on the entrance digital camera so in case you’re filming utilizing the entrance digital camera and also you’re shifting round or strolling, every part is extra secure than it was beforehand.

Battery Life & Charging

• As much as 31 hours
• 40W wired charging
• 20W wi-fi charging assist

Whereas the iPhone 17 Professional doesn’t supply fairly the identical battery prowess because the iPhone 17 Professional Max, it nonetheless does a fantastic job of getting you thru the day and into the subsequent. Apple claims the iPhone 17 Professional provides you with 31 hours of video playback and whereas I’ve not sat there watching YouTube for a complete day after which some, I had no battery anxiousness with the iPhone 17 Professional. 

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I begin my days round 6am and I put my cellphone again on cost round midnight and I didn’t finish a day with below 20 per cent. I at all times put my cellphone on cost at evening, however in case you’re somebody who likes to remain out until the early hours often, the iPhone 17 Professional ought to get you that late evening cab house.

It should in fact rely upon what sort of consumer you might be to some extent, however evaluation testing intervals sometimes contain what I might think about to be heavy use.

Steady digital camera testing, operating benchmarks and gameplay all eat up the battery however they aren’t regular each day utilization patterns for most individuals. The truth that the iPhone 17 Professional was capable of maintain them offers me confidence the battery could be adequate for most individuals’s typical use.

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With regards to charging, Apple has elevated the wi-fi and wired charging for the iPhone 17 Professional, even when it nonetheless doesn’t come near the likes of OnePlus or Xiaomi by way of prime speeds. You may reportedly get 50% battery in 20 minutes with Apple’s new 40W adapter, whereas wi-fi charging is now supported as much as 20W and MagSafe as much as 30W.

Do take into account that the iPhone 17 Professional solely comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable within the field, because it has achieved for a number of years, so that you’ll must supply your individual appropriate chargers to attain these new speeds.

Software program & Apps

• iOS 26
• Often 7 years of software program updates

The iPhone 17 Professional runs on the iOS 26 software program out of the field, which all iPhone fashions from the iPhone 11 and newer can improve to. It means you don’t essentially want the newest iPhone fashions to profit from the brand new options, or within the case of iOS 26, a brand new design, however you will see that some options run extra easily on the newer fashions.

For any options requiring Apple Intelligence, you’ll want an iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 16 or one of many iPhone 17 fashions so bear that in thoughts too.

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The iOS 26 software program presents a extra fluid interface than earlier iterations of iPhone’s software program. The ‘Liquid Glass’ design, as Apple calls it, options quite a few translucent menus and settings which are overlaid throughout the remainder of the content material on the display screen so you may see extra.

In the meantime while you work together with it, it seems just like what operating a magnifying glass over textual content seems like. I like the brand new software program design however it’s most likely the largest shake as much as the interface since iOS 7 so it would take somewhat getting used to for some.

Alongside its recent look, iOS 26 brings some new options too, together with a redesigned Cellphone app, simplified Digital camera app and a brand new Video games app. It’s additionally attainable so as to add backgrounds to Messages which is enjoyable, and my private favorite is the brand new capability to vary the snooze period in your alarm from the default 9 minutes to something between 1 minute and quarter-hour. 

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Synthetic intelligence options aren’t as superior on iPhone because the likes of Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy, although iOS 26 does carry some additional performance. You may create higher automations within the Shortcuts app because of intelligence actions, whereas taking a screenshot pulls up Visible Intelligence, which is extra contextually conscious of your display screen so it might do issues like detect a date and add it to your calendar with one faucet.

There’s nonetheless some anticipation for options like a wiser and extra personalised Siri to compete with the likes of Gemini Reside, however essentially, the software program expertise on the iPhone 17 Professional is nice. Apple doesn’t specify what number of years of updates its units will get like Android telephones, however often it’s round seven years (matching Google and Samsung flagships) so the iPhone 17 Professional ought to see you thru to 2030 and past with new options every year.

Value & Availability

The Apple iPhone 17 Professional went on sale on 19 September. It is available in three color choices of Silver, Deep Blue and Cosmic Orange and three storage choices of 256-, 512GB and 1TB, with costs beginning at £1,099. The 512GB mannequin prices £1,299 and the 1TB prices £1,499. 

It’s in the stores from quite a few retailers, together with Apple itself, Amazon, Very and networks together with EE and Vodafone.

Within the US, costs begin from $1,099 for 256GB of storage and you should buy from quite a few retailers, together with Apple and Greatest Purchase.

Verify our checklist of the perfect telephones to see our present prime 10 suggestions.

Do you have to purchase the Apple iPhone 17 Professional?

There’s no denying the Apple iPhone 17 Professional is a superb cellphone. It has heaps of efficiency, a fantastic battery life, improbable entrance and rear digital camera capabilities and a strong construct high quality. However whether or not you can purchase it or not is a more durable query to reply than it’s with the iPhone 17 Professional Max. 

Finally, it very a lot depends upon how a lot you suppose you want the additional energy the iPhone 17 Professional mannequin presents over the common iPhone 17 and the way a lot you’ll use its additional zoom performance. With the iPhone 17 providing quite a few the identical core options, like show and entrance digital camera, whereas costing £300/$300 much less, you need to ask your self if the extras the 17 Professional presents are justified for you. 

Its design may not be everybody’s cup of tea however the largest downside the iPhone 17 Professional has isn’t something to do with what this cellphone does incorrect as a result of frankly, that’s little or no. As an alternative, it’s bought every part to do with how sensible the common iPhone 17 is.

If you need the perfect efficiency and digital camera capabilities in a compact kind, the iPhone 17 Professional is Apple’s star pupil, however I wouldn’t blame you for saving the money.

Specs

• iOS 26
• 6.3-inch, 1-120Hz LTPO AMOLED show  
• Apple A19 Professional 
• 12GB RAM  
• 256GB/512GB/1TB storage  
• 48Mp, f/1.78, OIS principal digital camera  
• 48Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digital camera  
• 48Mp, f/1.78 telephoto digital camera  
• 18Mp, f/1.9, selfie digital camera
• As much as 31 hours battery 
• 40W wired charging  
• 20W wi-fi charging 
• Stereo audio system  
• IP68 water and mud resistance  
• Ceramic Defend again 
• Ceramic Defend 2 entrance
• 5G  
• 150 x 71.9 x 8.75 mm 
• 204g