iPhone 17 Pro Review: Apple’s Boldest Redesign With Its Best Battery Ever

Apple has officially dropped the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, and this year’s refresh is turning heads for more than just its flashy new “Cosmic Orange” color. Yes, the horizontal camera bar is grabbing headlines, but the real magic is happening under the hood. With a massive leap in battery life, a cooler and more powerful chip, and Apple’s most versatile camera system yet, the iPhone 17 Pro feels like the “true Pro” upgrade fans have been waiting for.

The Battery Life Everyone’s Talking About

Let’s be honest—battery life is what most of us care about first. And reviewers agree: this is the iPhone that finally nails it. CNET even went as far as to call the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s battery the best they’ve ever tested. After a full day of heavy use, it still had more than 20% left in the tank.

Apple rates the Pro Max at up to 39 hours of video playback, and early tests back up those claims. The secret? A bigger battery plus a new vapor chamber cooling system that keeps things running smoothly without overheating. That means less throttling when gaming and more consistent performance overall.

Charging also got a boost—hit 72% in just 30 minutes with a 35W USB-C charger. Finally, a Pro iPhone that charges quickly enough to keep up with busy lives.

Cameras Made for Creators

Apple has doubled down on the camera system, and the results are impressive. PetaPixel praised it as the company’s “most comprehensive creative smartphone to date.”

The new 48MP telephoto camera (with a sensor that’s 56% larger) may only offer 4x optical zoom, but its high resolution produces super-sharp “optical quality” images even at 8x. In practice, this means portraits and close-ups look more natural and detailed.

The 18MP Center Stage front camera is another gem. Engadget loved how it automatically reframes selfies and group shots without you having to awkwardly stretch your arm or rotate the phone.

A Fresh Look That Works

Apple ditched titanium this year, opting for a sleek aluminum unibody with softer, contoured edges. Reviewers from Tom’s Guide and The Verge called it an “instant classic.” It feels comfortable in the hand, and the new “camera plateau” design balances out the look.

Despite the bigger battery, the Pro Max only gained about 6 grams over last year’s model—still very manageable. Plus, durability tests show the aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield 2 can handle a few bumps and drops without worry.

Display: Brighter, Smoother, Better Outdoors

The 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display is a star in its own right. With ProMotion’s 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and gaming feel buttery smooth. Brightness peaks at a whopping 3,000 nits, making outdoor visibility a breeze. The new anti-glare coating also helps cut down reflections—a small detail that makes a big difference.

Powerhouse Performance With A19 Pro

Under the hood, the A19 Pro chip is delivering serious performance gains. Benchmarks show scores nearing 10,000 in Geekbench 6 multi-core tests, putting it right at the top of the charts. Gaming titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Destiny: Rising run without the slowdown or heat issues seen in earlier iPhones, thanks again to the vapor chamber cooling system.

One caveat? Apple’s AI tools are still catching up to competitors. The Verge even described it as a “giant void.” So while performance is incredible, some may feel Apple is behind in the AI race.

Other Noteworthy Upgrades

• Wi-Fi 7 support for faster, more reliable connections

• Stronger 5G reception

• Louder, richer speakers

• USB-C with USB 3 data transfer (10Gbps) and DisplayPort

• External SSD support for ProRes RAW capture—a huge deal for creators

Price & Verdict

The iPhone 17 Pro now starts at $1,099 (a $100 increase), but it also starts with 256GB of storage—something reviewers felt made the price bump fair.

For power users, creators, and anyone who wants the absolute best iPhone Apple makes, the 17 Pro and Pro Max are truly impressive. But if you’re looking for the best balance of performance and price, most critics still recommend the standard iPhone 17.

As PCMag summed it up:

“The iPhone 17 is our Editors’ Choice winner and the best iPhone for most people.”

The iPhone 17 Pro lineup is now available for pre-order through Apple and major carriers, with promotions offering up to $1,100 off depending on trade-ins and plans.