iPhone 17 Pro Hands-On: New Design, 8x Zoom, and Price Increase

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max Overview

• 📱 The new iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max feature a new 8x telephoto camera, an aluminum design, and larger batteries.
• 💰 A significant change is the price increase, with the iPhone 17 Pro starting at $1099, $100 more than its predecessor, but now including 256GB of storage.

Design and Build

• ✨ The phones ditch the titanium frame for a new aluminum chassis, offering a solid feel and a striking retro two-tone effect on the back where glass meets aluminum.
• 🛡️ The glass on the back is protected by the latest version of Ceramic Shield, claimed to be three times stronger than previous versions.
• 📸 The camera bump has evolved into a rectangular bar across the back, accommodating a larger battery and a new design.

Camera and Performance Upgrades

• 📸 Both Pro models share three 48-megapixel cameras (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto), with the telephoto featuring a larger sensor for better low-light performance.
• 🔭 The telephoto lens now offers an 8x optical zoom, up from 5x, ideal for capturing distant subjects like children playing or creating compressed backgrounds for portraits.
• 🚀 Powered by the new A19 Pro chip, Apple claims a 40% speed increase over the previous generation, with a vapor cooling chamber to manage heat.

Software and Release Details

• 💡 The phones run iOS 26 and will support Apple Intelligence, with features like new animations and liquid glass designs.
• 🗓️ Pre-orders begin Friday, September 12th, with devices available in stores on Friday, September 19th.
• 🎨 The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max come in silver, dark blue, and a striking cosmic orange color.