Discover our iPhone 17 Pro review! See if Apple’s latest flagship impresses or goes too far with features, design, and performance.
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Review: Has Apple Gone Too Far?
Every year, Apple pushes the limits of smartphone design and performance, and 2025 is no exception. Following the recent launch of the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 Pro emerges as the true flagship, packed with advanced hardware, a refined design, and new camera capabilities. But the question remains: is it too advanced, or just right for today’s tech-savvy users?
Design and Ergonomics: Subtle Changes, Major Impact
The iPhone 17 Pro introduces one of Apple’s most significant design updates in years. While retaining a familiar metal-and-glass construction, Apple has softened the edges and expanded the camera plateau, which now spans nearly the full width of the phone. This adjustment not only gives the device a distinctive profile but also allows for better heat dissipation, keeping the smartphone cooler in hand during extended use.
Under the camera plateau, a contrasting glass section hides the MagSafe wireless charging system a clever integration that has divided public opinion. Meanwhile, Apple has returned to aluminum for the body, moving away from titanium used on the iPhone Air. While aluminum dissipates heat efficiently, it is more prone to scratches, particularly along the sharp edges of the display. Nevertheless, for its size, the iPhone 17 Pro remains remarkably easy to handle, balancing premium feel with ergonomic comfort.
Hardware: Power That’s Hard to Fully Exploit
At the core of the iPhone 17 Pro lies the 3-nanometer hexa-core A19 Pro processor, reaching speeds up to 4.26 GHz, paired with a 6-core GPU. Complemented by 12 GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 256 GB to 1 TB, this is arguably the most powerful iPhone to date.
Performance is impressive: demanding apps, multitasking, and high-end games run smoothly. Yet, without AI features capable of fully leveraging this processing power, users may notice only incremental improvements over the iPhone 16 Pro. Thermal throttling is rare thanks to the new vapor chamber design, but performance gains are most apparent in high-demand scenarios rather than everyday use.
Connectivity is top-tier, featuring Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, ultrawideband, USB-C 3.2, satellite SOS, and dual SIM support. Face ID remains industry-leading, fast, and secure, while the stereo speakers offer crisp audio for calls and media consumption. However, the action button and camera control remain niche features, with limited practical benefit for most users.
Camera: Consistency and Versatility
Apple has refined its camera system, introducing the Pro Fusion setup. The main, wide-angle, and now zoom lenses all offer 48 megapixels, allowing lossless photos up to 8x via cropping. This approach trades extreme zoom for higher resolution and image quality particularly useful for detailed shots without the artifacts associated with excessive magnification.
Image quality is excellent across all sensors: sharp, accurate colors, precise focus, and reliable performance in both daylight and low-light conditions. Portraits are now more versatile, and the 24-megapixel front camera captures stunning selfies in both vertical and horizontal formats. Video recording is another standout, supporting 4K at 60 fps and even 120 fps in ProRes/Log, although high-bitrate files may require external SSD storage. For creators, this remains the benchmark for smartphone videography.
Display: Bright, Fluid, and Eye-Friendly
The 6.3-inch OLED display is as impressive as ever, with a resolution of 1,206 x 2,622 pixels and ProMotion support up to 120 Hz. Peak brightness reaches an astonishing 3,000 nits, ensuring readability in sunlight, while the new anti-reflective coating improves visibility in various lighting conditions.
Apple has also added PWM Dimming for reduced eye strain, making long reading sessions more comfortable. The display supports HDR10+, iOS always-on features, and the scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2, combining durability with stunning visual fidelity.
Software: iOS 26 Refined
The iPhone 17 Pro runs iOS 26, which reimagines the interface with fluid animations, glass-like highlights, and enhanced system interactions. App support remains unparalleled, with many titles exclusive to iOS and optimized for performance. Integration across Apple devices, AirDrop, and iCloud continues to be seamless.
However, Apple’s AI features still lag behind competitors. While iOS 26 adds minor enhancements, artificial intelligence is not yet a compelling reason to upgrade. That said, long-term software support ensures this device will remain capable as AI features mature.
Battery Life and Charging
Equipped with a 3,988 mAh battery, the iPhone 17 Pro delivers excellent autonomy, comparable to Android devices with larger cells. Wired charging now reaches 40W, while wireless MagSafe charging peaks at 25W. While slightly improved from its predecessor, battery life comfortably supports a full day of demanding use. The eSIM-only version, unavailable in Italy, would have offered a 4,200 mAh cell for even longer endurance.
Pricing and Value
Starting at €1,339 for the 256 GB variant, the iPhone 17 Pro is premium-priced. While this cost places it among the most expensive smartphones in Europe, the combination of design, performance, display, and camera capabilities justifies the investment for those seeking top-tier technology.
Final Verdict
The iPhone 17 Pro is a sophisticated, high-performing device with a brilliant display, excellent cameras, and robust hardware. It’s ideal for professionals, content creators, and Apple enthusiasts who demand reliability and long-term software support. Yet, its full potential is held back by underutilized processing power, minor design quirks, and a high price tag.
In short, the iPhone 17 Pro is for users who want the latest Apple innovation without compromise but it may feel like “too much” for those satisfied with last year’s iPhone or less intensive use.
FAQs about iPhone 17 Pro
1. What are the standout features of the iPhone 17 Pro?
The iPhone 17 Pro offers an advanced A19 Bionic chip, improved camera system, ProMotion display, and enhanced battery life.
2. How does the iPhone 17 Pro compare to previous models?
It improves performance, display refresh rate, and camera capabilities but comes at a higher price, making some features feel incremental.
3. Is the iPhone 17 Pro worth upgrading?
For users with older models, it’s a noticeable upgrade. But if you own the iPhone 16 Pro, the changes may not justify an immediate switch.
4. What is the battery life like on the iPhone 17 Pro?
The iPhone 17 Pro offers slightly better battery life than its predecessor, supporting heavy usage throughout the day.
5. Are there any drawbacks to the iPhone 17 Pro?
Some users may find the price steep, and certain features feel more incremental than revolutionary compared to the iPhone 16 Pro.
iPhone 17 Pro
Construction and Ergonomics - 9
Hardware - 9
Camera - 9
Display - 9
Software - 8.4
Autonomy - 8
Price - 5
8.2
iPhone 17 Pro
The iPhone 17 Pro, given the significant improvement over the iPhone 17, becomes an even more niche product. Sure, if you have Pro needs, it's the one to choose, given the faster USB port and the ability to shoot ProRes video (just to name two), but for the general public, the reasons to choose it boil down to three: the design, the presence of a zoom camera, and the battery with its fast charging speed.For everyone else, this iPhone 17 Pro is probably "too much." At least until it gets a powerful enough AI engine to really squeeze the most out of it.
