Apple today unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Both handsets boast a a new aluminum unibody design, an A19 Pro chip, advanced camera systems, next-level mobile gaming, and Apple Intelligence.
Both sides of the new handsets are protected with the Ceramic Shield, with the front side protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which offers 3x better scratch resistance, while the back side is protected by Ceramic Shield, which Apple says is 4x more resistant to cracks compared to the back glass on previous iPhone models.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max sport 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR displays, respectively, with 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness and 2x better outdoor contrast.
A large rear camera plateau houses three 48MP Fusion cameras — Main, Ultra Wide, and an all-new Telephoto — offering the equivalent of eight lenses, including an 8x optical-quality zoom. Optical zoom options include 4x at 100mm, and 8x at 200mm.
The handsets’ 18MP Center Stage front camera takes selfies to the next level, allowing users to capture photos or videos in either portrait or landscape orientation while holding their device vertically, automatically expanding the field of view and rotating from portrait to landscape to include everyone in the photo or video.
The camera system supports ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and genlock for multi-camera video syncing.
The devices are powered by an A19 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU providing up to 40% faster sustained performance compared to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The new handsets boast a larger battery and a vapor chamber cooling system for improved thermal management. Connectivity is provided by an Apple-designed N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.
Apple says the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are eSIM-only in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The eSIM models boast an even larger battery, filling space previously occupied by the physical SIM card tray.
According to Apple, the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers the longest battery life of any iPhone model ever, providing up to 39 hours of video playback on a full charge. Both models can charge 50% in 20 minutes with an optional high-wattage USB-C power adapter.
The new brushed aluminum unibody design uses a lightweight aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminum alloy. On the back, the plateau creates additional space for internal components, providing room for the larger battery. The antennas are integrated around the perimeter of the devices.
The new internal architecture features an Apple-designed vapor chamber to improve heat dissipation and performance. Deionized water is sealed inside the vapor chamber, which is laser-welded into the aluminum chassis to move heat away from the powerful A19 Pro, allowing it to operate at even higher performance levels. The heat is distributed evenly through the system via the forged aluminum unibody.
“iPhone 17 Pro is by far the most powerful iPhone we’ve ever made, with a stunning new design rebuilt from the inside out to maximize performance and deliver an enormous leap in battery life,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With three 48MP Fusion cameras, a new Center Stage front camera experience, and pro-level video features, the creative opportunities are endless. iPhone 17 Pro sets a new standard for the smartphone industry and is a massive upgrade for our most demanding users.”
Apple has also introduced new accessories for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max:
- The TechWoven Case has a new technical woven fabric that uses multiple colored yarns, creating a dimensional texture and rich depth of color, while a protective coating provides resistance to scratches and stains. TechWoven cases will be available in five colors: black, blue, purple, sienna, and green.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe is crafted with a blend of clear polycarbonate and flexible materials with scratch-resistant coating on the interior and exterior.
- The Silicone Case with MagSafe will be available in six beautiful colors: orange, terra cotta, neon yellow, purple fog, midnight, and black.
- The new Crossbody Strap can be paired with the TechWoven Case and Silicone Case, giving users a hands-free way to wear iPhone. Crafted from 100 percent recycled yarn, the smooth strap drapes comfortably, with embedded flexible magnets and stainless steel sliding mechanisms to easily adjust the length and keep both straps securely aligned. The Crossbody Strap will be available in 10 colors: black, light gray, blue, light blue, purple, sienna, green, neon yellow, tan, and orange.
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,099 with 256GB of storage, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with 256GB of storage. Both devices can be configured with an all-new 2TB storage capacity. They are available in three new finishes — deep blue, cosmic orange, and silver. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 12, with availability beginning Friday, September 19.
