TEK1o1: Tech, Gaming, and Lifestyle reviews

Apple Reimagines the iPhone 17 Pro, Tweaks the Specs

Pavic, Vjeran. “Apple’s New iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro.” The Verge, 17 Sept. 2025, https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/iphone-17-pro-pro-max.webp.

Here’s my take in short. The “Pro” used to be the default iPhone for screen snobs and battery hawks. This year, the regular iPhone 17 and the new ultra-thin Air steal some of that thunder: they share the bright, smooth, always-on display that once set the Pro apart. With prices starting at $799 for the 17, $1,099 for the 17 Pro, and $1,199 for the Pro Max, the Pro line now feels aimed squarely at creators who want extra camera control, longer stamina, slightly faster charging—and, yes, that bold orange finish.

Design-wise, I’m into the return of rounded edges and the two-tone orange: a lighter ceramic-glass square framed by a darker aluminum body that practically marks the MagSafe zone. The new “camera plateau” replaces the old island and packs three 48 MP sensors (main, ultrawide, tele). Apple toughened the glass front and back; my Pro Max even survived a face-down fall on a rocky trail. Brightness looks similar to my 16 Pro Max outdoors, which tracks—most modern phones are fine in sun unless heat throttles them.

The switch to aluminum plus a vapor chamber makes it a hair heavier than last year, but cooler under load. Gaming sessions warmed the phone without that “hot spot” burn I’m used to. Battery life feels meaningfully better in real use, and wired 40 W gets you to 50% in ~20 minutes; MagSafe is a bit quicker, too. Camera upgrades are thoughtful: all three sensors jump to 48 MP, the tele shifts to 4x (100 mm) for more natural portraits, and you get cleaner 2x crops and nicer digital zoom. Pro-level perks like Genlock and ProRes RAW (to external storage) are here; Center Stage on the 18 MP front cam is genuinely useful, and you can record from front and back at once.

My only real gripe: Apple’s still playing catch-up on system-level AI. Siri doesn’t match Google’s hands-on smarts yet, and the coolest “Intelligence” tricks feel tucked away. Bottom line: if you want Apple’s longest battery, most flexible cameras, and peak performance, the 17 Pro/Pro Max are the move—especially if that orange speaks to you. For most people, though, the iPhone 17 is the sweet spot, and the Air is the fun wild card if you’re curious about a super-thin iPhone.