Apple has delivered us a phone that builds on the hardware that was already excellent while addressing the weaknesses present. There is something to enjoy creatively for almost everyone in this phone. Creators and influencers will love the new selfie camera. Photographers now get high-resolution cameras in a wide range of focal lengths, and a usable 8x digital camera for those who need a little extra reach.
One thing that I appreciate is that Apple gave the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max personality. Gone is the minimal design for the sake of being simple. Now, we have an old punk rocker who put on a black leather jacket for the first time in years.
No one with an iPhone 15 and newer needs to upgrade (iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 owners might be fine if your device is performing OK, but the switch to USB-C might be warranted). Better heat management delivers better sustained performance. Better battery life means less charging, maximizing your battery health. And the improved cameras keep it at the top of the smartphone camera rankings. What's not to love?
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max offer a lot of compelling features. Despite a redesign that might otherwise suggest a considerable upgrade, most of the changes are modest. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are the best iPhones if you’re after the longest battery life, best cameras, and the most power from Apple’s 2025 lineup.
I spent a lot of time on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max trying to get them to run hot, because one of the most interesting additions this year is a vapor chamber. That thermal management feature, together with the aluminum unibody redesign and three 48-megapixel rear cameras, is among the most compelling updates for this generation. Throw in the powerful A19 Pro chip (now situated in the “plateau”), a novel Center Stage selfie camera, promises of longer battery life and an eye-catching new color, and frankly the latest Pro phones seem like a serious leap.
If you’re asking me which one I’d recommend between the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, my answer would be for the latter because of the larger display and longer battery life. For the $100 difference, it’s worth the money — whereas in the past, it would’ve been normally a $200 spread between them. You should get the iPhone 17 Pro if you simply prefer a smaller phone without compromising on the camera performance.
Gast
