2025
Deciding on whether to get an iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max couldn’t be easier. These two “pro” phones have no compromises. Whereas the iPhone Air is all about showing off its ridiculously thin and light design, the iPhone 17 Pros go in the opposite direction with thicker and heavier designs. Apple is basically saying, “F*ck all that skinny noise, let’s throw everything but the kitchen sink at them.”
Even better cameras on the front and back? Check. The longest battery life of any iPhone? Check. The most powerful mobile chip? Check. A custom-designed vapor chamber to make sure the iPhone 17 Pros don’t overheat? Check. How about an in-your-face Cosmic Orange colorway that’s actually fun? Check.
iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max Apple's very best iPhones do not compromise on anything. Battery life, cameras, performance, displays—everything is better. Pros Best-in-class performance
Best-in-class performance Incredible cameras
Incredible cameras Long-lasting battery life
Long-lasting battery life Even brighter screens
Even brighter screens Fun colors like Cosmic Orange Cons Thicker and heavier
Thicker and heavier Camera Control remains unloved
Admittedly, the iPhone 17 Pros are not as lust-worthy compared to the iPhone Air. But that’s okay, because they don’t need to be. They’re “pro” iPhones, which means they should be the best tools above everything else. And after a week of putting the iPhone 17 Pros through their paces, I’m overjoyed that Apple has now made its top-of-the-line phones actually pro-worthy. Getting everything doesn’t come cheap. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199. But if you want no tradeoffs for the device you’ll likely use the most, Apple really delivers.
... continue reading