iPhone 17 Pro Review: Bold Design, Strong Zoom, Solid Battery
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro marks its most dramatic redesign in years, moving from titanium sides and glass backs to a single-piece aluminium unibody and a bold new camera module. The device immediately stands out — but underneath, it builds mostly on proven upgrades.
Design & Display
The aluminium build resists shattering but is more susceptible to scratches than glass, particularly around the camera plateau. The new anti-glare coating and increased peak brightness improve outdoor usability. However, at 204 grams, the phone is heavier than previous models — and a case still feels necessary.
The front retains the Dynamic Island and the high-quality 120 Hz OLED from the standard 17 model. Apple’s iOS 26 brings a “Liquid Glass” look with softer icons and semi-transparent effects, though some users may find parts of the interface too blended or subtle.
Performance & Cooling
Powered by the new A19 Pro chip, the 17 Pro introduces a vapor chamber cooling system, helping it maintain peak performance in heavy tasks like gaming. In practice, the back stays cooler than in prior iPhones under load — better thermal management without throttling.
Battery Life & Charging
In real-world use, the phone delivers about 42 hours between charges, with around six hours of active screen time combining 5G and Wi-Fi — about two hours more than last year’s model. In heavy-use days, it still ended with about 25% battery left.
Charging to full via USB-C takes 76 minutes, with 70% reached in 30 minutes using a 40W charger. Qi2 wireless charging (25W) requires more time — around 96 minutes.
Camera & Zoom
Apple has significantly upgraded the telephoto camera. The new 48MP 4× zoom lens performs well in many lighting conditions — the 8× crop from it is usable in good light. Beyond 15× to 40×, digital zoom artifacts become obvious.
Primary and ultra-wide cameras are broadly similar to previous versions, offering solid all-around performance. The selfie camera sees its first major upgrade in years to 18MP, offering better framing with Center Stage and improved group selfies.
Verdict
The iPhone 17 Pro is one of Apple’s best compact phones yet — combining premium performance, stronger battery life, and a bold new look. It competes against the new iPhone Air and a more affordable standard iPhone 17, though neither of those match its zoom capabilities. The camera remains its standout feature.
Pros: New design, robust cameras, excellent performance, USB-C, solid battery life, long software support
Cons: Heavier than previous models, higher price, no major AI leap over non-Pro models
