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Review: Apple's bold redesign begs you to look its way -- especially in orange -- but the best-in-class battery and superb cameras are the real reasons to go Pro.

Early review: The entry-level iPhone is holding its own this year with hardware and camera upgrades that move it closer to Apple's Pro devices.

Review: Concerns about the durability of Apple's thinnest iPhone were quickly put to rest once I got my hands on it. And despite a scaled back camera and slimmer battery, there's a lot to love.

DJI's new Mini 5 Pro upgrades the Mini 4 Pro with a new 1-inch sensor, 50MP stills and 4K video up to 120fps, while its improved object sensing skills set the bar for flight safety in a sub-250g drone.

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is bigger, smarter, and more pressable than its predecessor, and carries the promise of big AI things to come.

DJI's Mini 5 Pro sets the bar for beginner drones, with a 1-inch sensor, 4K 120fps video, vertical shooting, object sensing, front-facing LiDAR and advanced subject tracking, all in a sub 250g body.

The iPhone 17 Pro is Apple's best iPhone in a more compact size and at an approachable price.

DJI Mini 5 Pro: one-minute review

When I tracked the seemingly constant flow of DJI Mini 5 Pro rumors ahead of its official unveil, which included exciting speculation about its sensor and safety feature upgrades, I had one question in mind: 'will it still be under 250g?'

I've now had my hands-on the latest flagship mini drone and can happily say that DJI has done it, by a whisker. The 249.9g Mini 5 Pro is officially a C0 category drone and it features a 1-inch sensor (much larger than the Mini 4 Pro's), versatile camera and class-leading safety features, now with LiDAR.

If anything, the Mini 5 Pro reads like a shrunk down DJI Air 3S. They both feature a main camera with 1-inch sensor, 4K video up to 120fps, DJI's D Log M color profiles and 14EV dynamic range.

They also both utilize omnidirectional object sensing and front-facing LiDAR for class-leading low-light flight safety features, including the superb return to home (RTH) function. Plus there's the neat 360° ActiveTrack, which keeps your subject in the center of the frame – DJI has refined this mode in the Mini 5 Pro and it performs really well.

The Mini 5 Pro's camera is super versatile, too – it sits on a 3-axis gimbal for smooth footage even in moderate wind and offers a 225 degree range of roll rotation; the upshot is that you can switch from horizontal to vertical recording at the push of a button.

Despite featuring a large 1-inch sensor and LiDAR sensing, the Mini 5 Pro still officially weighs less than 250g. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

I've only had a few days with the Mini 5 Pro so far, but I've used DJI's other mini drones extensively and can make quick judgements on just how good it really is. Honestly, it's hard to find fault.

I own the Mini 4K, DJI's cheaper entry-level drone. There are a few shared features but if you're a first time buyer, I think it's worth forking out extra for the Mini 5 Pro instead – it's a big upgrade, even over its predecessor, the Mini 4 Pro.

There's also a case for the Mini 5 Pro over the Air 3S. Sure, the weightier all-rounder has dual cameras, longer flight times and higher wind resistance, but the Mini 5 Pro now shares a lot of the same tech.

That's enough comparing for now. For me it's already simple – the DJI Mini 5 Pro is the best sub-250g drone and once my in-depth review is complete it will find its rightful place in my best drones and best beginner drones guides.

The ND filter kit with its ND 8, ND 16 and ND 32 filters, and the charging hub and two batteries behind it, plus the RC 2 controller. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)DJI Mini 5 Pro: price and release date

• Standard bundle costs £679 / AU$1,119
• Two Fly More Combo kits available: with screen or screen-less controller
• No US pricing or availability at launch

Despite improved features including the larger 1-inch sensor and LiDAR, the Mini 5 Pro essentially costs the same as the Mini 4 Pro, which is two years old and which costs £10 more in the UK. Put simply, the latest model is excellent value.

The base DJI Mini 5 Pro package costs £679 / AU$1,1119. However, I would almost always go for the Fly More Combo instead (I'll explain later), which adds a charging hub and two additional batteries to the bundle.

There are two Fly More Combo bundles to choose from: one with the screen-less DJI RC-N3 controller for £869 / AU$1,419 (you'll need to connect and use your phone's display, loaded with DJI's app, for this controller), or one with the fancier DJI RC 2 controller for £979 / AU$1,699.

I've got bad news if you're in the US – there's no Mini 5 Pro pricing or availability at launch. I expect various independent retailers to get stock at some point, but pricing is an unknown.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)DJI Mini 5 Pro: specsDJI Mini 5 Pro specs

Camera:

50MP 1-inch CMOS sensor

Video resolution:

4K

Frame rates:

4K up to 120fps, Slow motion Full HD up to 240fps

Video transmission range:

04+ for 20km (FCC), 10km (CE/SRRC/MIC)

Flight modes:

Cine, Normal, Sport. 360° ActiveTrack. QuickShots (Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle and Boomerang)

Battery:

2,788mAh / up to 36 minutes flight time.

Charger type:

USB-C / Battery Charging Hub

Weight:

8.81oz / 249.9g

Dimensions:

157×95×68 mm (folded), 255×181×91 mm (unfolded)

DJI Mini 5 Pro: Design

• Weighs 249.9g
• Omnidirectional object sensing and front-facing LiDAR
• 3-axis gimbal with 225 degree roll rotation range

DJI has one non-negotiable with its mini series of drones – keep the body under 250g. This latest iteration has pushed this mission to the max: the Mini 5 Pro weighs 249.9g. Technically, the takeoff weight can vary ±4g (depending on the batch you get, says DJI), so yours could be 254g. However, the Mini 5 Pro is officially classed a C0 (sub-250g) drone in Europe, so such discrepancies are a moot point.

In addition to the larger 1-inch sensor, which I'll get onto in the next section, the Mini 5 Pro adds front-facing LiDAR to omnidirectional object sensing. The latter is already a class-leading safety feature, and one you won't find in cheaper models such as DJI's own Mini 4K.

Personally, I think paying extra for object sensing is worth it – it's a miracle that my own Mini 4K is still functional after multiple collisions with tree branches and the like.

Now, with the addition of LiDAR, the Mini 5 Pro should sense better than the Mini 4 Pro in low light. That's not something I've specifically tested in this drone, yet, but the Air 3S has this feature and you feel you can push that drone harder than the Air 3 it replaced.

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The camera unit impresses, too. As before, it sits on a 3-axis gimbal which smooths out your live view during flight and any recorded video. The gimbal has a versatile 225-degree range of roll rotation, enabling you to switch between horizontal and vertical capture.

I was testing the Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo RC 2 kit, which includes the controller with a screen. On the underside of the controller is a button that switches the camera between horizontal orientation (typically for long-form content) and vertical (for quick social cuts like TikTok and YouTube Shorts) with a single click.

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I had the luxury of the RC2 controller for my review. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 2

And the set of ND filters, which feels like a must-have accessory. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

I also had the Mini 5 Pro with the dedicated set of three ND filters. Depending on the frame rates you choose, and the weather, you'll likely need to use one to balance exposure for video.

For example, if it's sunny and you're shooting 4K 30fps, you'll probably need an ND to avoid blowing out highlights. The practical downside is that the filters are set strengths, rather than variable (ND8, ND16 and ND32), so once you're in the air you've made your bed.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)DJI Mini 5 Pro: Performance

• 1-inch sensor delivers best-in-class image quality
• Effective 360° ActiveTrack subject tracking
• 2,788mAh battery for up to 36 minute flight time (less in reality)

The Mini 5 Pro shoots the best quality video I've seen in a sub-250g drone. It features a single camera which utilizes a 1-inch sensor for 4K 60fps video with 10-bit color depth, or slow motion recording up to 120fps, which can be upped to 240fps if you drop resolution to 1080p.

You can choose between various color profiles – a good-to-go standard look or DJI's D Log M, which needs grading. The latter gives you the most dynamic range to work with – DJI says up to 14EV – meaning you'll likely capture more tonal detail as a reward for your efforts in the editing suite.

When I compare video quality to that of the much cheaper Mini 4K drone, the 4K resolution is about where the comparison ends – the Mini 5 Pro's video quality is much better.

The camera unit is special: a 1-inch sensor, 3-axis gimbal with versatile range which covers vertical shooting (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

DJI says that its 360° ActiveTrack feature has been improved. I haven't tested the Mini 5 Pro against the Mini 4 Pro, so can't vouch for this, but I have used the feature for this test and it performs really well.

I threw on my running shoes and hit the trails in my local woodland, tracked by the Mini 5 Pro, and it was able to navigate overhanging branches with ease while keeping me in the center of the frame.

Return to home (RTH) is another essential drone feature and it performed flawlessly for my Mini 5 Pro flights. This included tricky tests such as retracing its flight path through tree cover over a small lake.

As usual, DJI's range of QuickShots are present and include Boomerang and Helix. These automated flight moves can make for super-dynamic clips when used smartly.

The Mini 5 Pro is supplied with a 2,788mAh DJI Intelligent Flight Battery, which delivers flight times up to 36 minutes. The reality will almost always be less, especially when you factor in wind or the various battery-hungry features.

During moderately breezy conditions and shooting 4K 60fps video and making use of functions such as 360° ActiveTrack, I was getting more like 20 minutes in the air.

Such flight time limits are why I typically prefer the pricier Fly More Combo bundles – they are the most cost effective way to get a couple of extra batteries and effectively triple the fun.

DJI also sells an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus – the 4,680mAh unit extends flight times by around 30% versus the standard unit, but it's weightier and tips the Mini 5 Pro into the next weight category up, which comes with restrictions; legally, you need to get your region's equivalent of a competency certificate.

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The same scene with the 3x digital zoom employed (Image credit: Tim Coleman)DJI Mini 5 Pro: also consider

DJI Mini 4K

At the opposite end of DJI's Mini series is the Mini 4K, which costs significantly less than the Mini 5 Pro – around 1/3 the price. It too shoots 4K video, is equipped with QuickShots flight moves, has decent battery life and weighs less than 250g. However, you lose out on the higher frame rates, DJI's Log color profiles, object sensing and active subject tracking. Still, its flight performance is largely the same.

See my DJI Mini 4K reviewView Deal

DJI Air 3S

If you're happy to level up from the DJI's Mini series of drones with the weightier Air 3S, for which restrictions apply, then you'll get an all-round better experience once airborne. The Air 3S has better battery life and wind resistance, plus a second telephoto camera. However, its main camera is the same as the Mini 5 Pro's, as is the 4K video skills with D Log M color profile and 14EV dynamic range. The Air 3S is also pricier, although not by a whole lot.

See our DJI Air 3S reviewView Deal

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)How I tested the DJI Mini 5 Pro

• DJI loaned me the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo (RC 2)
• I had it for a few days before its launch for this first impressions review, and beyond to complete an in-depth review
• I've piloted the drone with the RC 2 controller in sunny conditions with moderate wind and tested its tracking capabilities

I had the DJI Mini 5 Pro for a few days before its unveiling, and was able to take it out for a few flights. The conditions were generally sunny or overcast, with moderate wind which provided a stern test for the Mini 5 Pro's stability.

I've controlled the drone with the RC 2 controller which features a screen. I've taken multiple 4K 60fps videos in vertical and horizontal aspects, flicked between the cine, normal and sport flight modes and tested the 360° ActiveTrack through woodland and more.

I've shot video using both standard color profiles and DJI's D Log M color profile and graded the footage. During bright conditions I've used the ND 8 filter to balance exposure. I've also taken still images in RAW and JPEG, plus utilized the 3x digital zoom.

• First reviewed: September 2025
• Read more about how we test

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: Two-minute review

If you're looking different in your iPhone shopping journey, the iPhone 17 Pro Max (and smaller iPhone 17 Pro) has you covered. It's not just that fetching Cosmic Orange, the unexpected hue hit of Apple's 'Awe Dropping' event; Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max features a fresh design with new materials, and a broad and bold product-spanning camera plateau that adds a distinctive flair to what had become a somewhat tired design.

Inside, the changes are no less significant, from the powerful A19 Pro chip to the new vapor-chamber supported heat-management system, which enable enough performance to support every peak and valley of your experience.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

If you're fixated on cameras (as I am), the iPhone 17 Pro Max (and 17 Pro) will not disappoint. There are now finally three 48MP lenses that support a wide range of shooting styles. Perhaps the most notable of the three is the new 48MP 4x optical zoom lens that also offers access to a sensor-crop 8x zoom, which, thanks to selecting the. center pixels from the large sensor and an upgraded image pipeline, delivers some truly eye-popping photos.

This is also an upgrade that makes a canny swap of titanium for aluminum, a seeming downgrade but one with some significant benefits, like the ability to apply that amazing new anodized orange finish and the ability to better distribute and dissipate heat.

Finally, there's the price – it's the one thing you hope doesn't get an upgrade, and I'm happy to report that Apple somehow held the line here, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max still starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149. It's never been a cheap smartphone, but then this one is for the Pros, and I think they will be very happy. I know I am.

As for why you might buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max over the iPhone 17 Pro, that comes down to screen size, battery life potential, and the option to get up to 2TB of storage; otherwise, these iPhones are identical.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Price and availability

• Starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149
• Pre-orders opened on September 12, shipping from September 19

The iPhone 17 Pro Max was announced at Apple's 'Awe Dropping' event on September 9. Pre-orders began on September 12, and the phone arrives in stores and starts shipping on September 19.

The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,199/ £1,199 / AU$2,149 for the model with 256GB of storage, with that price rising to $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,599 for 512GB of storage, $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,999 for 1TB of storage, and $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,799 for 2TB of storage. The latter configuration represents the largest storage capacity of any iPhone ever.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Apple is likely getting undue credit for not raising the price of the base model iPhone 17 Pro Max (I'm happy they didn't, but it's not like they lowered the price). Component prices and supply-chain issues relating to the geopolitical stage are surely putting pressure on the company (and it's under continual pressure from the US to start building the iPhone in the country). Somehow, though, Apple has held the line, and the base iPhone 17 Pro Max (and 17 Pro) still starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149 for the 256GB model.

The only difference in pricing comes into play when you stretch to the phone's new upper tier of 2TB, which is only available with the Pro Max model. That sends the price up to almost $2,000. It boggles the mind that we now consider paying almost two grand for a pocket-sized device to be rational. On the other hand, this is a true pro-level smartphone that, based on my tests, is probably ready for pro photography and videography tasks – and when you put it like that, it might seem like a bargain.

Storage

US price

UK price

AU price

256GB

$1,199

£1,199

AU$2,149

512GB

$1,399

£1,399

AU$2,599

1TB

$1,599

£1,599

AU$2,999

2TB

$1,999

£1,999

AU$3,799

• Value score: 4 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Specs

iPhone 17

iPhone 17 Air

iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Weight:

177g

165g

206g

233g

Display:

6.3-inch OLED

6.5-inch OLED

6.3-inch OLED

6.9-inch OLED

Resolution:

2622 x 1206

2736 x 1260

2622 x 1206

2868 x 1320

Refresh rate:

120Hz

120Hz

120Hz

120Hz

Peak brightness:

3,000 nits

3,000 nits

3,000 nits

3,000 nits

Chipset:

A19

A19 Pro

A19 Pro

A19 Pro

Rear cameras:

48MP wide (26mm, f/1.6), 48MP ultra-wide (13mm, f/2.2)

48MP wide (26mm, f/1.6)

48MP wide (24mm, f/1.78), 48MP ultra-wide (13mm, f/2.2), 48MP telephoto (8x optical zoom)

48MP wide (24mm, f/1.78), 48MP ultra-wide (13mm, f/2.2), 48MP telephoto (8x optical zoom)

Front camera:

18MP (f/1.9)

18MP (ƒ/1.9)

18MP (f/1.9)

18MP (f/1.9)

Storage:

256GB, 512GB

256GB, 512GB, 1TB

256GB, 512GB, 1TB

256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

Colors:

Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender

Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue

Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue

Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Design

• A fresh, possibly divisive look
• New materials pay dividends in colors and performance
• Still familiar in most of the best ways

I saw enough leaks in the run-up to the iPhone 17 line launch to have a pretty good idea of what was coming; and, to be honest, I was preparing to hate the iPhone 17 Pro Max redesign and colors. Yet, here I am now, quite pleased with the giant plateau (it's too big to call it a 'bump') and, yes, loving Cosmic Orange.

In many ways, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is still undoubtedly part of the long lineage of iPhones before it. There are, though, just enough new touches here to add up to what I am comfortable calling a redesign.

Starting with the back, there's the now nearly full-width plateau that's both a bold design touch but also a practical measure, in that underneath there's now more space for upgraded components like the refreshed tetraprism (think 'periscope') that supports a new, longer telephoto lens.

Most (but not all) previous iPhone backs featured just one material, usually metal or glass. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is a spiffy mix of the two: metal and glass, or rather a large rectangular Ceramic Shield cutout, with the rest a unibody chassis literally carved out of aluminum.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Instead of a titanium band surrounding a frame, components, and the front and back glass, the iPhone 17 Pro Max's back cascades seamlessly to the sides, and even curves just a bit around the front to meet the Ceramic Shield 2 screen covers, which reportedly will better protect it from scratches (we'll see). It all has an incredibly unified feel, and because Apple has radically cut down on edges, the phone feel very comfortable to hold.

When it comes to dimensions and weight, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is slightly larger and heavier that the 16 Pro Max, but I challenge anyone to notice the differences, which can be measured in fractions. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is 163mm tall by 78mm long by 8.75mm thick, and weighs 233 grams. By contrast, the 16 Pro Max was 163 x 77.6 x 8.25mm and weighed 227g.

This year there are no new buttons to contend with. Along one edge we have the long power and Siri button, and below it, Camera Control. Opposite them is the Action Button, and below that a pair of volume buttons.

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There are small differences along the shorter edges. On top, an antenna cutout is now visible, and on the bottom, the pair of speaker grilles appear larger (yes, this phone can provide very loud and clear sound).

If you want to lie the phone flat, you'll have to place it screen-down. Even though the back plateau is nearly the full width of the phone, the tri-camera array still bumps out even further, and between this and the wide metal bump, this phone lies on its back at a slightly more extreme angle than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The switch from titanium to aluminum provides not only some useful heat-management and energy efficiency benefits, it's also opened the door for anodized color options (the material and design upgrades did not impact the IP68 rating, and, yes, I ran the phone under water to no ill effect).

I don't know where Apple got the idea for Cosmic Orange, but I actually love it. It's bold without being garish. There's also Silver (a blah throwback) and the very deep and inky Deep Blue. Apple sort of explained its color choices to me, and even the loss of black, but I think this is just Apple mixing things up and, possibly, giving a nod to all the pro-level folks who buy this phone for creative pursuits. Orange is a color that will get you noticed.

• Design score: 5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Display

• Excellent Super Retina XDR display
• It's brighter than ever
• A new anit-reflective coating

iOS 26's Liquid Glass interface might lead you to assume there's been some radical display overhaul; so much glow, shiny, and artificial transparency. However, that would be mostly wrong. The platform update does change the look, but it's all still working with the same materials.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max's expansive 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED is largely the same as last year's, featuring a resolution of 2868 x 1320 pixels for a density of 460ppi. The ProMotion technology still automatically ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, and it's 'always-on', which means that even when you're in bed you can make out the time and have glanceable notifications.

It's not, though, exactly the same screen. This display now ranges up to 3,000 nits – that's 1,000 more than the last model. In my side-by-side tests, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is more visible in direct sunlight. This effect is assisted by a new reflective coating, meaning the light bouncing off the screen is also less noticeable. These are nice, and not necessarily insignificant, upgrades.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

With a narrow bezel (no change from last year), the Super Retina display comes preciously close to meeting that orange metal, with a vast expanse of color and entertainment interrupted only by the pill-shaped Dynamic Island.

Made up of the new Center Stage Camera and Face ID sensors, it remains a useful space for live information, but it's also sometimes a black blob cutout in games, videos, and photos. I find the information it provides useful, so I do not mind it much, but I was also hoping for a redesign that might have shrunk the thing by 50%. This is a minor quibble, and I'm sure that, like me, you probably won't notice or be bothered by it very much (and that, also like me, you'll appreciate the info updates).

These photos do not do the brightness capabilities justice, but the max 3000 nit iPhone 17 Pro Max is on the left, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max (2000 nits) is on the right. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Otherwise, photos, videos, games, websites, productivity tools, and whatever you view on the display look fantastic. It's a butter-smooth screen when it needs to be, and thanks to the wide color and 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, images pop and blacks are as inky and dark as you would hope they'd be.

• Display score: 4.5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Cameras

• Apple's best camera array ever
• Photos and videos are impressive
• Center Stage camera changes selfies forever
• This is the telephoto you've been waiting for
• Redesigned camera app will confuse and frustrate some

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Apple's redesigned Plateau is not just an aesthetic choice; it's a practical one. Underneath that now larger, raised platform is a lot of technology, including a new tetraprism to support Apple's longest and highest resolution telephoto lens ever. It's simply one highlight of a stellar iPhone 17 Pro Max camera system.

There are a total of four cameras, with Apple calling the rear trio 'Fusion Cameras':

• Main: 48MP f/1.78
• Ultra-wide: 48MP f/2.2
• Telephoto: 48MP (4x optical) f/2.8
• Selfie camera: 18MP

Those specs only tell half the story. In general, you're not shooting at the full-frame 48MP resolution, or rather, you might be using all 48 million pixels to produce a high-quality 24MP (the default for the main camera) or even 12MP to produce an 8x optical-quality sensor crop (on the telephoto camera). The ultra-wide will, by default, shoot 12MP macro photos.

In virtually every instance, this is a case where less is more (or fewer pixels add up to more). Apple uses all that pixel information and its remarkable image pipeline to deliver fantastic photos with true-life colors and exquisite detail.

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A main camera shot (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

I spent an inordinate amount of time shooting with the 4x and 8x zoom lenses, capturing still lifes and long-distance shots. I think the flower photos I captured from a few feet away are just as impressive as the New York City skyline pictures I snapped through the window from an airplane aisle seat. Those latter are notable not only for the detail but for the speed of the lens, which somehow managed to not blur the entire shot.

Shot at 8x zoom through the window from an aisle seat (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Since 8x is equivalent, according to Apple, to a 200mm lens, the camera app helps you with a small viewfinder on top of the main one to see where in the 4x frame you're looking; it's a helpful feature for keeping the context of the frame. By the way, the optical image stabilization does a good job of holding the telephoto frame steady.

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Night photography is better than ever. When I wanted to capture an image of the Twin Tower lights that NYC lights once a year on 9-11, I needed the iPhone 17 Pro Max's 8x optical quality zoom and, naturally, the image pipeline behind it to get the shot. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, which maxes out at 5x optical zoom but with just 12MP, just couldn't manage it.

There's also been a generational leap in portrait-mode photography, where I noticed visible improvements in some of the most challenging aspects of a portrait shot, like flyaway whips of hair and glasses frames. These are photos worthy of display.

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My niece, her husband and all their dogs. Look at how it captured all of them (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Image 2 of 3

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My dad. Note the excellent work on the hair and glasses. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The selfie or TrueDepth camera is now the 18MP Center Stage Camera, and brings what might be the biggest overhaul to selfie photography since, well, the introduction of selfie cameras.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

When I set up to take a group shot with my son and father, the iPhone 17 Pro Max automatically widened the frame. Normally, I would try to awkwardly hold the phone in landscape mode, but now there's a software button I select, which instantly rotates the frame 90 degrees into landscape mode. Yes, it's a game-changer.

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If you take a portrait-mode photo and want to switch the focus, it only takes a tap (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

If you don't know who's in focus on your portrait-mode shot, you can easily tap to bring someone or something else into focus. Plus, any photo can now be turned into a spatial scene, which turns the image into a stereoscopic wonder. I tried this with some selfie images in which someone was visibly seated behind me, and the results were very good.

Apple still doesn't support 8K video, but I also don't think anyone should care, since most of us are not watching 8K content (although perhaps it matters to some pros who want the editing possibilities offered by a much larger frame).

In any case, the iPhone 17 Pro Max's video capture capabilities remain excellent, with the ability to capture 4K at up to 120fps.

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The Center Stage Camera uses its larger and now square sensor to keep selfie video steady, even if you're moving around. I ran around to give it a challenge, and the phone still managed to smooth out most of the bumps.

One of the quirkiest new features is Dual Capture. As the name suggests, this slightly hidden feature lets you use the front and back cameras simultaneously. The rear camera provides the main action, and you appear as a live picture-in-picture window that you can drag anywhere on the screen during filming. It's fun, even if the utility is not immediately obvious. I actually had some fun using it at a wedding, but I do wish that I could edit the two streams separately post-filming.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

I'm not a pro videographer, but I was curious to try out the new Genlock feature, which is supposed to keep multiple video streams synchronized. I was able to connect an iPhone 17 Pro and the 17 Pro Max, both running a new version of Final Cut Camera, to an iPad Pro running the iPadOS 26 public beta and Final Cut Pro. The iPad app let me tap one button to simultaneously launch recording in both phones, and the resulting combined stream ended up on the iPad.

After my first try resulted in two videos that were not in perfect sync, I gave it a second shot, and made sure to check that both phones were recording audio. This worked, and now I could edit each stream while not losing the synchronization to make a pretty cool multi-cam video.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The Camera app, by the way, is among the many redesigns you'll find in iOS 26, and I'm not sure I love it. It hides some of the camera options like Pano and Portrait, though you only have to touch the Photo button and slide it to find them again. The options button is now a tiny grid icon in the upper right-hand side that's easy to miss. We'll all learn these new controls, but we may grumble about them for a little while.

That aside, this is undoubtedly Apple's best camera array yet, offering unprecedented versatility for the iPhone line and producing stellar image quality across a range of styles.

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Telephoto (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

• Camera score: 5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Software and Apple Intelligence

• iOS 26 is so glassy
• Apple Intelligence has some minor updates
• Net positive updates across the board

Few things contribute to the new look and feel of the iPhone 17 lineup as much as iOS 26. Liquid glass adds a translucent sheen to almost every aspect of the platform, and mostly it's gorgeous. Apple has done an excellent job of programming pixels to look like glass.

Sometimes, though, the transparency is overdone, and I struggled to make out some interface elements. Think of it this way: when you can see through one element to view another, it can occasionally increase the overall clutter and make some things visually confusing. For example, when you swipe down on the screen to access global search, the search box still faintly shows what's behind it, which makes what's on top of it – what you're typing – a little harder to read. It's a small issue that Apple could easily address in the next iOS update.

In some cases, though, like the new first-party app icons, Control Center, and dock, iOS 26 is a welcome update that gives everything a little polish without throwing out the most recognizable elements.

Apple Intelligence gets a few updates, like Live Translation and the ability for images captured through Visual Intelligence to be transformed into calendar entries. I played a bit with Genmoji and Image Playground to experience those upgrades, but they're mostly minor, and I still await the fully-featured Siri that Apple has promised.

• Software score: 4.5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Performance

• A19 Pro raises the bar, again
• 12GB leaves headroom for future Apple Intelligence performance improvements
• The new heat management system is a winner

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max might represent the most radical redesign of the iPhone in terms of internal components we've seen in quite some time.

In a way, Apple's external changes (replacing titanium with aluminum) are directly connected to those updates.

Let's start, though, with the A19 Pro chip, which is now supported by 12GB of RAM. It's a formidable combo, and in our benchmarks it raised the bar for single and multi-core Geekbench scores while also boosting things like frame rates in games.

The A19 features a 6-core CPU and GPUs. On the GPU side, each core features its own Neural accelerator.

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It's a system that ably handles 4K video editing and AAA game play with equal aplomb. In games like Destiny Rising, reflections and atmospherics, like fog and smoke, match what you might see on a console.

What's more remarkable, though, is that as you do all this, the phone remains relatively cool, and even if it gets a bit warmer in general, there's no one identifiable hot spot. That's down to the new heat management system, which includes a long and narrow vapor chamber that sits on top of the A19 Pro, which is placed near the center of the iPhone 17 Pro Max's body. As the A19 Pro heats up, the water inside the vapor chamber absorbs the heat, vaporizing the water, which then condenses on the other end of the chamber. The process repeats continuously to manage and transfer the heat out across the chassis and to the more heat-efficient aluminum frame.

It's that kind of heat management that helps the phone maintain a high level of performance and, in my estimation, positively impacts battery life.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Battery

• Better battery life than ever
• Qi 2 support
• Spend for the faster adapter

Apple combines that power and efficiency with a larger battery to provide, potentially, multi-day battery life.

Now, in my experience, I went over 30 hours (it's rated for 39 hours) before I needed to charge the phone. However, I think it's too early to make a final assessment on battery life. I know my phone is busy copying 30,000 emails, updating photo libraries, and more background tasks relating to initial setup.

In truth, I don't think I'll fully understand typical battery life for another month. In the meantime, I can tell you that battery life appears good, if not better, than the last generation, and your mileage may vary.

Expect Q2 wireless charging, which, if you have a Qi2 charger, will be faster. The wired charging is faster, too, but remember you'll need to buy your own higher-wattage wall charger (a $39 40W-to-60W adaptive charger) to achieve those charge speeds. In my experience, I was able to charge the phone to 50% in just 20 minutes. Too bad this adapter (and not just the USB-C charge cable) isn't included in the package.

In the communication space, this is, in the US, an eSIM-only phone that supports dual-SIMs and makes transferring phone numbers across devices a snap. There's more good news, like WiFi 7 support, Bluetooth 6, and Emergency Satellite communication, which, at the time of this writing, is still free.

• Battery score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max?Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

More power, fresh design and better camera while holding the line on price.

4 / 5

Design

New look, materials, and color while still undeniably iPhone.

5 / 5

Display

Apple holds the line on its display technology but enhances it just enough with a brighter and more resilient screen.

4.5 / 5

Software

iOS 26 brings Liquid Glass to virtually every corner of the iPhone with mostly positive results. We could do with some less translucency in a few spots. Apple Intelligence improves but we await the full-boat Siri experience.

4.5 / 5

Camera

Three fantastic cameras produce eye-popping images across a range of shooting styles. Happiness is the new 4x/8x zoom lens.

5 / 5

Performance

Apple's A19 Pro chip is fast and effective in every scenario. It may be especially adept at local AI operations. The new heat management system helps keep the system relatively cool to the touch.

5 / 5

Battery

Anecdotal battery tests provided 30-hours plus of battery but lab tests are lower.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want the best iPhone
There's no question that this is the best iPhone Apple has ever produced and while the iPhone 17 Pro is essentially the same phone, this is the one that offers the biggest screen and best battery life.

You want pro-level photography
Apple may not always beat competitors on the pure megapixel front but this phone produces some of the bets photos I have ever seen from a smartphone.

Don't buy it if...

You were looking for a more affordable iPhone
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is no more expensive than its predecessor but that doesn't make it cheap. If you want the same performance for less, check out the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

You want the ultimate in AI
Apple Intelligence is a decent start in the AI space, but it pales in comparison to Google Gemini (found on Pixel phones) and GalaxyAI (and Gemini) on Samsung Galaxy AI.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Also consider

Apple's latest flagship iPhone not exciting you? Here are three alternatives from the Android frontier.

Google Pixel 10 Pro
The Pixel 10 Pro is a fantastic addition to the Pixel line, with useful new features like magnetic charging and AI tools that are helpful and not overbearing. There is still room for improvement, particularly in terms of performance and battery life, but this is one of the best smartphones you can buy, aside from the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
For powerful versatility a surprisingly thin and light frame, nothing beats the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. It has excellent cameras, two screens, and powerful AI features. It's also considerably more expensive that the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung's ultimate Android phone is a welcome mixure of design and power that, yes, still brings the titanium. Ther'es also that 200MP sensor, something the iPhone 17 Pro Max still doesn't boast.

How I tested the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

• Review test period: I received the phone on September 9 and tested it through September 16.
• Testing included: everyday use, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback, and testing Apple Intelligence
• Tools used: Geekbench 6, Geekbench AI, 3DMark

I tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max (and iPhone 17 Pro) alongside my iPhone 16 Pro Max. I took it with me everywhere and tried to use it as I would my own phone.

I've been testing smartphones for over 20 years, and I've been writing about the iPhone since it launched. I've also been tracking and writing about AI since the dawn of consumer-grade experiences more than a decade ago, and I've been covering technology for 39 years.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2025

Apple iPhone 17 Pro: Two-minute review

The time when you had to make a tradeoff between the full-featured iPhone Pro Max and the iPhone Pro has long since passed. Today, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 17 Pro I'm reviewing here are fundamentally the same phone with only a few differences, and all of them relate to the size.

There's a smaller screen and therefore fewer pixels (but not a lower resolution). The battery on the iPhone 17 Pro is smaller, so you get fewer hours per charge. Finally, the storage options on the Pro top out at 1TB, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max goes up to 2TB.

With that in mind, virtually everything I say in my iPhone 17 Pro Max review is also true of this iPhone 17 Pro, right down to the fantastic camera system.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

This update is an inside-out refashioning, with a powerful new A19 Processor supported by a heat-wicking system in the form of a vapor chamber. I'm not sure it would have been as effective though, if not for the new aluminum unibody design, which helps distribute the heat throughout the chassis.

A reorganization of the components left more room for a larger battery, and that, in concert with the heat management system and new body, promises better battery life than before.

Inside, the A19 Pro makes every operation a breeze, as it easily handles everything from simple web browsing to 4K video editing and local AI operations.

We now get three 48MP cameras, including a stellar 4x optical zoom that's capable of an 8x optical sensor crop which also produces fantastic results.

The fact that you get all this in a more affordable and pocketable 6.3-inch package could make the iPhone 17 Pro the best choice for most who operate at a pro level.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: Price and availability

• Starts at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,999
• Pre-orders opened on September 12, shipping from September 19

Apple announced the iPhone 17 Pro at its 'Awe Dropping' event on September 9, and alongside the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. iPhone 17 Pro pre-orders began on September 12, and the new phone ships on September 19.

The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,999 for the model with 256GB of storage, with that price rising to $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,399 for 512GB of storage, and $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,799 for 1TB of storage. If you need a 2TB device, look at the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Storage

US price

UK price

AU price

256GB

$1,099

£1,099

AU$1,999

512GB

$1,299

£1,299

AU$2,399

1TB

$1,499

£1,499

AU$2,799

sdsfsw

• Value score: 5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: Specs

iPhone 17

iPhone 17 Air

iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Weight:

177g

165g

206g

233g

Display:

6.3-inch OLED

6.5-inch OLED

6.3-inch OLED

6.9-inch OLED

Resolution:

2622 x 1206

2736 x 1260

2622 x 1206

2868 x 1320

Refresh rate:

120Hz

120Hz

120Hz

120Hz

Peak brightness:

3,000 nits

3,000 nits

3,000 nits

3,000 nits

Chipset:

A19

A19 Pro

A19 Pro

A19 Pro

Rear cameras:

48MP wide (26mm, f/1.6), 48MP ultra-wide (13 mm, f/2.2)

48MP wide (26mm, f/1.6)

48MP wide (24mm, ƒ/1.78), 48MP ultra-wide (13 mm, ƒ/2.2), 48MP telephoto (8x optical zoom)

48MP wide (24mm, ƒ/1.78), 48MP ultra-wide (13 mm, ƒ/2.2), 48MP telephoto (8x optical zoom)

Front camera:

18MP (f/1.9)

18MP (f/1.9)

18MP (ƒ/1.9)

18MP (ƒ/1.9)

Storage:

256GB, 512GB

256GB, 512GB, 1TB

256GB, 512GB, 1TB

256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

Colors:

Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender

Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue

Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue

Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: Design

• A redesign that works
• New materials bring new color and cooling possibilities
• Control and Action Buttons didn't get a rethink

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro (and the 17 Pro Max) is instantly recognizable as an iPhone, but I still contend that this is the most significant redesign in ages. The bold, nearly full-width plateau (time to stop calling it a "camera bump") is distinctive and more attractive than I expected.

Honestly, who needs a phone that can lie flat on its back anymore? I'd argue that consumers (yes, people like me) are more interested in performance and possibilities than balance.

I was curious about the switch from titanium (a light and sturdy material) to aluminum (an even lighter and perhaps more pliable one), but I'm now convinced that this was a good swap with some obvious benefits.

The first of those is the color choices. You have silver (not that exciting), the wonderful Deep Blue of the phone I tested, and the new Cosmic Orange of my iPhone 17 Pro Max test unit. I love the latter two colors, and don't think they would have been possible without the anodization process.

Because the iPhone body is carved out of aluminum means the iPhone 17 Pro has smoother corners, making the entire phone feel more comfortable in my hands. This smaller phone will be especially appealing to those with smaller hands.

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Below the camera plateau on the Ceramic Shield-protected back (the screen gets Ceramic Shield 2), the large rectangular cutout that houses the Apple logo creates a sort of two-tone look that I rather like. It almost seems a shame to cover it with Apple's new Tech Woven cases.

After a couple of generations of us having to get used to new iPhone buttons, the iPhone 17 Pro holds fast on the two volume buttons and the Action Button on one side, and the Power/Sleep/Siri button and Camera Control button on the other.

There's no new functionality there, but some may still find the customizable Action button and instant access to photography and controls through Camera Control useful; of the two, I use the Camera Control most for instant access to the camera and, sometimes, as a physical shutter button.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Like the iPhone 16 Pro before it, the iPhone 17 Pro is IP68 rated for exposure to dust and water. Drop it in the toilet (which I did not) or run it under water (which I did), and it will survive.

There are a few other minor differences, like an antenna cutout on the top edge and a larger speaker grille on one side of the base. Perhaps that's why the audio can get so loud and resonant, and sound just as good in a voice call as it does streaming Better Call Saul on Netflix.

• Design score: 5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: Display

• Super Retina XDR display still excellent
• Brighter than ever
• Possibly more resilient

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

While Apple took pains to remake the look and lines of the iPhone 17 Pro (and 17 Pro Max), it more or less left well enough alone with the Super Retina XDR display. This is not a problem, since the OLED screen resolution, at 2622 x 1206 pixels, is still sharp and spectacular in almost every scenario.

Photos and videos look splendid on the screen thanks in part to its 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and wide color gamut. It's a great platform for stills and for fast action in AAA games, where the 120Hz screen refresh keeps gameplay butter smooth.

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The iPhone 17 Pro in direct sunlight. I think the antireflective coating makes a noticeable difference (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Image 2 of 2

iPhone 16 Pro in direct sunlight (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The ProMotion technology not only provides that rapid refresh rate, it can slow all the way down to 1Hz to support the always-on display, which lets me see the time and my notifications on the sleep/lock screen.

This is a brighter screen, achieving 3,000 nits in direct sunlight. That combination with a new anti-reflective coating helped it beat the iPhone 16 Pro in my outdoor, direct-sunlight Netflix streaming tests.

As for the new Ceramic Shield 2 screen covering, I'm hesitant to rub any keys on it, but I will be curious to see what the display looks like two months from now.

The 6.3-inch display still features the Dynamic Island cutout, which provides space for the Face ID sensors and new Center Stage Camera. It's still larger than I'd like, and appears in some games and videos as a black, pill-shaped cutout. If, though, like me you appreciate the live information (like sports scores) that the space can provide, I doubt you'll be bothered by its existence.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

• Display score: 4.5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: Cameras

• Three excellent rear 48MP cameras
• Zoom is finally where I need it to be
• Front-facing Center Stage Camera changes the selfie game

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Apple has rewarded my fixation on photography with the three best 48MP lenses I've ever seen on an iPhone (plus an excellent new selfie camera). The list of lenses is identical across both Pro phones, which makes them no less desirable. FWIW, Camera performance on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max appears identical. Here's the list of physical lenses.

• Main: 48MP f/1.78
• Ultra-wide: 48MP f/2.2
• Telephoto: 48MP (4x optical) f/2.8
• Selfie camera: 18MP (not called 'Fusion')

The main camera defaults to shooting at 24MP, but you can shoot at full resolution or as a 2x optical sensor crop, which takes the best 12MP from the full 48MP for the final image.

The ultrawide also defaults to 24MP, while the same lens will shoot macro images at 12MP.

For me, though, the most exciting addition is the new 48MP 4x optical zoom lens that shoots 24MP, 100mm-equivalent photos and can, with another optical sensor crop, also shoot 12MP, 8x zoom photos. Even though the latter is not a true 8x optical zoom lens, it captures images like one.

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I was consistently impressed with the detail I could capture. In my experience, the best lens of the bunch is the 4x optical. It's great for portraits and still life.

The image quality across the multiple lenses and shooting styles is down, in part, to Apple's fantastic image pipeline. It gathers and processes so much information, but never turns an image into AI mush or an approximation. Images come alive with true colors and exquisite detail.

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Portrait-mode photography looks better than ever. I was especially impressed with how the cameras handled hair and glasses frames. Every shot looked pro-quality.

I took the landscape on the left using Center Stage Camera without turning the phone 90-degrees. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The other major photographic highlight is the new Center Stage Selfie camera. Where the True Depth Camera was an able 12MP system, the Center Stage Camera is backed by a square 18MP sensor. It uses those extra pixels to automatically fit groups of subjects into the frame by zooming out a bit.

Better yet, this is the first smartphone selfie camera in my experience to let you turn from a portrait to a landscape mode selfie without turning the phone 90 degrees. Instead, you just tap a software button – and, yes, it works with photos and video. It's brilliant, and I expect other smartphone competitors to follow suit.

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I shot in all kinds of lighting conditions, from bright and sunny to cloudy, rainy, and even nighttime darkness. Night photography is even better than ever. This was the phone I used to capture New York City's 9-11 Memorial Lights (the city is 50 miles away). It was a feat I could not reproduce with the iPhone 16 Pro.

I love selfies in the rain, and I was particularly impressed with the Center Stage Camera's ability to capture individual raindrops (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

You can shoot video in 4K (up to 120fps). It looks good, especially because the sensor-shift optical image stabilization handles even the roughest road.

During my first day with the phone, there was a huge rain shower, which I took as my cue to retry Audio Mix, Apple's AI-powered audio cleanup tool. The rain shower was so loud that it pretty much overwhelmed my baseline video. All I had to do was select one of the options (In-Frame, Studio, Cinematic), and the iPhone 17 Pro did an excellent job of elevating my voice over the din. It does sound a bit processed, but also usable, which is not something I can say of the original video.

One other new feature you might enjoy (or you might wonder why it's there) is Dual Camera. As the name suggests, this slightly hidden feature lets you shoot video with both the front and rear cameras. Your selfie video view appears as a small, movable window on top of the main video, presumably so you can offer commentary on the action. I used it at a wedding and found it fun, if not super-useful.

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Put yourself in the video with dual cam (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The new camera app is so different that it might, at first, confuse people. A lot of what you would normally see when first opening the app is hidden. But, for instance, a touch and slide on the word 'Photo' quickly reveals how you can slide to find all your main photography options.

In short, you will get used to it.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

As a package, this is by far the best camera array (including the front camera) Apple has ever produced. It shoots fantastic images that will make you the envy of all your friends. Plus, with its 4K Dolby Vision, it's a pro-level video platform.

If I needed any more proof that this is a pro-videoographer tool, I got it when I tested out Genlock support, which lets you capture and automatically sync multiple video streams.

To test this, I hooked up the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max video via a wireless connection to an iPad Pro 13. The iPad was running a Testflight version of Final Cut Pro for iPad, and the phones were running Testflight versions of Final Cut Cameras.

Final Cut on the iPad presented me with a single record button, and when I hit it, both cameras started to record. I was capturing two angles at once, and Final Cut presented them as two linked streams that I could edit to create a very nice pro-level, multi-cam video.

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• Camera score: 5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: Software and Apple Intelligence

• iOS 26
• Apple Intelligence adds some new features
• The ultimate Siri is still MIA

There may never be a more beautiful iOS than iOS 26. Liquid Glass, which glistens from almost every virtual surface, looks both polished and exciting. It's quite the programming feat to make pixels look like glass, giving unexpected substance to, for instance, buttons and widgets.

Generally, I'm a fan, except for the times where Liquid Glass's fundamental translucency makes for a cluttered viewing experience – if you can see what's behind a text-entry box when you're trying to type in it, it can get a little confusing. I'm certain that Apple can offer some Liquid Glass transparency adjustment in a future update.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Last year's star, Apple Intelligence, gets a few updates, like a better Image Playground and upgraded Visual Intelligence, which can instantly take info gleaned from an image and add it to your calendar.

Clean Up remains an impressive image-editing tool. In one instance, I used it to remove a rope from in front of a horse. I drew one glowing line over the thin white fabric, then tapped the screen, and it disappeared, leaving the horse unscathed (and his face filled in) behind.

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But Apple Intelligence's capabilities still pale in comparison to what I can get with Google Gemini or from partner OpenAI (and ChatGPT). I await the day when Siri becomes as conversational and system-aware as these other platforms.

• Software score: 4.5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: Performance

• A19 Pro is Apple's most powerful mobile CPU
• 12GB is the memory you need

Going by by specs alone, the A19 Pro is a bit of a beast:

• 6-core CPU with two performance and four efficiency cores
• 6-core GPU, each with its own Neural Accelerator
• 16-Core Neural Engine

Unsurprisingly, performance scores for the A19 Pro chip are, based on Future Labs benchmarks, considerably better than for the A18 Pro that powered the iPhone 16 Pro. In fact, the SoC maxed out some of our frame rate tests.

These numbers are on display in every operation the phone performs. It's an able console-grade gamer, playing Destiny: Rising with impressive levels of shading, reflections, fog, and fire. The A19 Pro's hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing surely has a hand in this.

There's now 12GB of RAM on board, which means there's likely more than enough headroom for ever-larger AI models. After all, Apple's preference is to do things like AI-assisted Live Translation locally.

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This is an SoC that's completely comfortable both shooting and editing 4K video. It's a little powerhouse.

It's more, though, than just a workhorse. Apple has added a vapor chamber system that, along with the now more heat-efficient aluminum frame, helps capture heat off the chip and spread it throughout the iPhone 17 Pro body so there's no longer a hot spot.

In reality, this is one area where the smaller iPhone 17 Pro differs a bit from iPhone 17 Pro Max. I'm not sure if it's because there's more room in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it felt cooler in my tests than the iPhone 17 Pro, which got slightly warm to the touch during an intense Asphalt 9 Legends round.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: Battery

• Battery life upgrade
• Qi 2 support
• No adapter included

Between all that efficiency and Apple reengineering the interior for a larger battery, the iPhone 17 Pro might have the best battery life for an iPhone ever, leaving aside the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is now flirting with two-day battery range.

In my anecdotal tests, the iPhone 17 Pro was good for between 25 and 30 hours of battery life. Apple rates it for about 30 hours if you do nothing but stream video, while mixed use, especially lots of gameplay, will shorten the charge duration. Even so, this is the best batter life I've ever seen on a base Pro model. The combination of a more efficient CPU, a bigger battery, and the energy-saving heat management appears to be paying real dividends.

This is a Qi 2- compatible system, which means it charges faster on a Qi2-ready charge pad. The phone doesn't ship with a charging adapter, just the USB-C woven cable, but if you buy the new, optionL, Dynamic 40W (up to 60W) charger ($39), you can also expect faster wired charging speeds. When I tried it, I was able to charge to 50% in 20 minutes.

• Battery score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro?Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

A better phone in virtually every way for the same price as last year

5 / 5

Design

A refreshed design that also brings some performance dividends

5 / 5

Display

Display technology slight better thanks to more brightness and a toucher screen.

4.5 / 5

Software

iOS26 is gorgeous but someitmes a bit overdone. Still the overall software package, even without the ultimate Siri Apple Intlligence upgrade, is excellent.

4.5 / 5

Camera

The best camera array Apple has ever produced

5 / 5

Performance

A19 Pro is powerful and backed by more memory than ever. It's ready for any task.

5 / 5

Battery

A bigger battery means 30 hours of operation is possible.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want Apple Pro-level mobile power but not the size or price best
The iPhone 17 Pro is everything you can get from a Pro Max. All you lose is a bigger screen, crazy-long battery life, and the option to have 2TB of storage.

You want the best cameras Apple has ever produced
Great lenses, excellent image pipeline add up to truly great photo capabilities.

Don't buy it if...

You demand the largest screen
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro has a nice 6.3-inch display but it's pretty small compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max's 6.9-inch super Retina XDR display.

You need more space
The iPhone 17 Pro maxes out at 1TB of storage. The 17 Pro Max will give you 2TB...for a price, of course.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro review: Also consider

Apple's latest Pro iPhone not exciting you? Here are a few alternatives from the Android frontier.

Google Pixel 10 Pro
The Pixel 10 Pro is a fantastic addition to the Pixel line, with useful new features like magnetic charging and AI tools that are helpful and not overbearing. There is still room for improvement, particularly in terms of performance and battery life, but this is one of the best smartphones you can buy, aside from the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung's ultimate Android phone is a welcome mixure of design and power that, yes, still brings the titanium. Ther'es also that 200MP sensor, something the iPhone 17 Pro Max still doesn't boast.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
For powerful versatility a surprisingly thin and light frame, nothing beats the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. It has excellent cameras, two screens, and powerful AI features. It's also considerably more expensive that the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

How I tested the Apple iPhone 17 Pro

• Review test period: I received the phone on September 9 and tested it through September 16.
• Testing included: everyday use, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback, and testing Apple Intelligence
• Tools used: Geekbench 6, Geekbench AI, 3DMark

I tested the iPhone 17 Pro (and iPhone 17 Pro Max) alongside my iPhone 16 Pro Max. I took it with me everywhere and tried to use it as I would my own phone.

I've been testing smartphones for over 20 years, and I've been writing about the iPhone since it launched. I've also been tracking and writing about AI since the dawn of consumer-grade experiences more than a decade ago, and I've been covering technology for 39 years.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2025

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