Last week’s Apple keynote introduced the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and after testing them out, it’s clear these are some of the most impressive iPhones yet. From smooth scrolling on the gorgeous Super Retina XDR display to testing the cameras for indoor shots and video calls, I found myself constantly appreciating the small but meaningful upgrades over my iPhone 16 and 16 Pro Max. In this piece, I’ll break down the design, performance, cameras, battery life, and accessories, and see what makes these new Pro iPhones stand out for everyday home use.
Overall Look & Feel
The new brushed aluminium unibody design feels premium yet surprisingly comfortable to hold, thanks to the lightweight aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminium alloy. The back plateau creates extra space for internal components, allowing for a larger battery. The antennas are seamlessly integrated around the edges, making this the highest-performing antenna system ever in an iPhone.
The Apple-designed vapour chamber helps keep the A19 Pro cool even under heavy use. I noticed this immediately when editing videos at home – the phone never felt uncomfortably warm. The heat is evenly distributed through the forged aluminium unibody, allowing sustained high performance without compromising comfort. Both models can charge up to 50 percent in just 20 minutes using Apple’s new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max – a lifesaver during a busy work-from-home day.
Display & Durability
Available in 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch sizes, the Super Retina XDR display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which offers 3x better scratch resistance and improved anti-reflection. ProMotion up to 120Hz, Always-On display, and 3000 nits peak brightness make the display a joy to use even indoors, whether scrolling through social feeds or streaming videos.
Compared to the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro Max, the screens feel noticeably sharper and brighter, especially when catching small text or fine details on apps at home. Ceramic Shield now protects the back too, providing 4x better resistance to cracks, giving me extra confidence when setting the phone down on a cluttered desk.
Performance: A19 Pro
The A19 Pro chip is an absolute powerhouse. Paired with the vapour chamber, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max deliver up to 40 percent better sustained performance than the previous generation, perfect for gaming, video editing, and even running local AI models. The 6-core CPU is the fastest in any smartphone, while the 6-core GPU with built-in Neural Accelerators handles everything from high-end gaming to AI-powered features effortlessly.
Testing at home, I noticed that even running multiple apps, streaming, and editing photos simultaneously didn’t slow the device down. The 16-core Neural Engine makes generative AI features snappy and responsive. The new N1 wireless chip improves Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread performance – a noticeable upgrade from my iPhone 16 Pro Max when transferring large files across devices.
Pro Camera System
Apple has really stepped up the camera game with iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. The 48MP Fusion cameras give sharper and more detailed images, while the 48MP Telephoto camera with 8x optical zoom allows for creative shots even indoors, like capturing small details on shelves or décor. The Photonic Engine and next-generation Photographic Styles, including the new Bright style, make skin tones and colors pop naturally.
The new Centre Stage front camera is a personal favorite – the square sensor captures a wider field of view, and AI keeps group selfies or video calls perfectly framed. I especially liked using Dual Capture for filming myself while showing something in the background during indoor content creation — a feature that really feels like it’s designed for real-life multitasking.
Video Capabilities
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max continue to lead in video with Dolby Vision HDR recording, 4K120 fps, ProRes Log, and ProRes RAW support. Features like Genlock make it easier to synchronise multiple cameras – useful if you’re recording multiple angles indoors for content. Spatial Audio, Audio Mix, and wind noise reduction help create cleaner, more professional videos without leaving the house.
iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence
iOS 26 brings a fresh, expressive design with Liquid Glass, making apps feel more lively. Apple Intelligence now translates text and audio on the fly with Live Translation, even during FaceTime or Messages. Updates to Visual Intelligence make it easy to take action directly from screenshots. At home, I found myself using call and message screening tools to avoid distractions while working, which is a surprisingly useful addition.
Accessories
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max introduce new accessories to complement their premium design. The TechWoven Case features technical woven fabric with multiple coloured yarns, creating a dimensional texture and rich depth of colour, while a protective coating provides resistance to scratches and stains. TechWoven cases are available in five colours: Black, Blue, Purple, Sienna, and Green.
The iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe is crafted with a blend of clear polycarbonate and flexible materials with scratch-resistant coating on the interior and exterior. The Silicone Case with MagSafe will be available in six colours: Orange, Terra Cotta, Neon Yellow, Purple Fog, Midnight, and Black.
The new Crossbody Strap can be paired with the TechWoven Case and Silicone Case, giving users a hands-free way to wear iPhone. Crafted from 100 percent recycled yarn, the smooth strap drapes comfortably, with embedded flexible magnets and stainless steel sliding mechanisms to easily adjust the length and keep both straps securely aligned. The Crossbody Strap will be available in 10 colours: black, light grey, blue, light blue, purple, sienna, green, neon yellow, tan, and orange.
Pricing & Availability
iPhone 17 Pro comes in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver, and will be available in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage options. iPhone 17 Pro starts at S$1,749.
iPhone 17 Pro Max comes in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver, and will be available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and for the first time ever, 2TB storage options. iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at S$1,899.
Both models will be available from 19 September 2025, Friday onwards on Apple and in your nearest Apple stores.
Check out my First Looks for iPhone 17 here and for iPhone Air here.
