iPhone 17 Pro Review — Apple’s Most Controversial iPhone Yet

I think this might be one of the most controversial iPhones Apple has released in a while.

There are some great new changes this year — but also a few that make you stop and wonder why?

Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro feels like a big shift for the Pro lineup — especially in design, materials, and the overall direction.

It’s less of a jewellery piece now and more of a tool. And honestly, that’s not a bad thing.

Design — More Tool, Less Jewellery

For the past few years, I’ve said that iPhones — especially the Pro models — have felt like jewellery.

Polished stainless steel, glass, and tight tolerances made them feel expensive.

The 17 Pro changes that.

This one’s more industrial. It’s not trying to be shiny or luxurious anymore — it feels like something built to be used.

Apple’s also moved from titanium back to aluminium, which has caused a bit of debate since aluminium is softer and easier to dent or scratch.

The Silver model holds up well and looks clean.

But the new Cosmic Orange has been the most talked-about colour by far — and not in a subtle way.

Some people love it, others absolutely hate it. It’s bright, bold, and hard to ignore.

Personally, it’s not for me, but I get why Apple did it.

It’s different — and that alone gets people talking.

If you care about keeping your phone pristine, a case is basically essential this year.

I don’t usually like using one, but I’ve found myself doing it more often — just to protect the finish.

And yes, it’s slightly thicker and heavier, but I actually like that. It feels more solid — and usually, that means a bigger battery.

Cooling, Performance, and Everyday Use

Apple’s new unibody aluminium design also helps with heat management.

There’s now a vapor chamber inside that spreads heat more evenly.

In real use, it makes a difference.

Editing photos in Lightroom or short videos on the go doesn’t heat the phone up like it used to.

The dreaded screen dimming that used to happen when the device got hot happens far less now.

It feels like Apple’s quietly solved a problem most people didn’t realise was there — the phone just performs consistently.

That’s helped by the new A19 Pro chip, which is ridiculously fast.

Apple is so far ahead of other chipmakers at this point it’s almost unfair.

Everything is instant. From exporting large photos to rendering video, there’s no delay.

And it manages power well too — the phone stays cool even under load.

Battery life is roughly the same as before for me, but I also shoot a lot of ProRAW photos and high-res video, which drains it faster.

For most people, it’ll easily last a full day.

Battery Life — Small Gains, Big Efficiency

Battery life on the iPhone 17 Pro hasn’t made a huge leap forward — but it’s definitely more consistent.

For me, I’m not seeing a massive increase in screen-on time because I shoot a lot of ProRAW photos and 4K LOG video, both of which are heavy on power.

But when I’m using the phone more normally — browsing, messaging, shooting a few clips here and there — it easily lasts the full day with no issue.

What’s more impressive is how it holds that charge.

The new A19 Pro chip and cooling system keeps power-draw low even under load.

It doesn’t throttle, overheat, or drop brightness like older models sometimes did after extended use.

Other reviewers have found that the 17 Pro actually outlasts the 16 Pro Max by a few minutes in endurance tests, which says a lot considering this year’s phone is smaller.

That’s down to Apple’s chip efficiency and battery optimisation — subtle improvements that add up in daily use.

If you’re someone who travels a lot or shoots a lot of content, you’ll still want a battery pack.

But for most people, this is the kind of phone you can unplug in the morning and not think about charging until you’re heading to bed.

Display — Subtle But Major

The screen brightness now peaks at 3000 nits, and it’s one of those upgrades that’s hard to appreciate until you use it.

Outdoors in bright sunlight, the display stays completely visible — even when taking photos or using CarPlay.

It’s not something Apple shouted about, but it genuinely improves daily usability.

Camera — The Real Star

The camera system is, as always, what makes the Pro lineup interesting.

This year, Apple claims the iPhone 17 Pro gives you eight pro lenses in your pocket.

Technically, that’s marketing — you still get three physical cameras.

But since all three now shoot at 48 megapixels, you get a lot more flexibility and range.

The new 4x telephoto lens replaces the old 5x setup.

At 4x, you get the full 48MP resolution, and you can crop in to 8x for a 12MP image.

In practice, it gives you a lot more detail without the over-processed look that phones sometimes create.

Most of my shots are in ProRAW, then I apply my own presets in Lightroom.

The results are consistently clean, natural, and sharp.

It’s interesting though — the main camera sensor is actually the same one from the 15 Pro and 16 Pro.

That’s a little disappointing, but the processing improvements make up for it.

The overall image quality is excellent.

I’ve found myself leaving my mirrorless camera at home more often — the convenience of this camera system is just hard to beat.

If you want to take better photos on your iPhone, check out my iPhone Creator Kit — it includes all my presets, camera settings, and tips for getting amazing photos on your phone.

The Camera Control Button

Apple brought back the camera control button this year, which sounded great in theory.

In practice, I barely use it.

It’s fine when shooting horizontally, but in portrait orientation it’s awkward — you have to press it quite firmly, which can shake the phone slightly and blur the photo.

I still find the on-screen shutter faster and easier. Nice idea, but not a game changer.

Front Camera — Quietly Impressive

The front camera got a major upgrade — it’s now 18 megapixels with a square sensor, so orientation doesn’t matter.

It’s perfect for people who take a lot of selfies or shoot front-facing video.

I don’t use it much personally, but the quality jump is noticeable.

Durability — Ceramic Shield 2

Apple also updated its Ceramic Shield glass, making it even more scratch-resistant.

I don’t use a screen protector and haven’t noticed any scratches so far.

If you’re reasonably careful, you probably don’t need one either.

My Thoughts After a Week

Apple’s calling this a new chapter for the Pro lineup — and I kind of agree.

It feels less like a luxury item and more like a precision tool.

If you’re upgrading from the 16 Pro, it’s probably not worth it.

But from the 14 Pro or earlier?

You’ll notice a big step up in design, performance, and especially the camera.

I’ll be taking this to Japan soon, and I’m genuinely looking forward to shooting more with the new 48MP telephoto.

The convenience of having something this capable in your pocket still blows my mind.