iPhone 17 Pro review: Power, color and top-level cameras

With the arrival of the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple has once again raised the bar. Not with radical innovations, but with refinements that make a big difference in practice. We tested the device in the striking new color Cosmic Orange and discovered that Apple’s flagship is more than a design statement. It is a device that seamlessly brings together performance, battery life and camera quality – and in a package that is difficult to overlook.

Design and the power of Cosmic Orange

Apple presents a new color variant every year and this year it is Cosmic Orange’s turn. That may sound daring on paper, but in practice it is surprisingly stylish. Under bright sunlight, a warm glow emerges, while indoors the color tends more towards copper or deep red. It makes the iPhone 17 Pro a real eye-catcher, without it being flashy.

There is little new in terms of build quality: the titanium edges and matte back provide a premium feel and a firm grip. Apple continues to stick to a subtly rounded design, which, in combination with the relatively low weight, fits comfortably in the hand.

Screen: brighter than ever

The iPhone 17 Pro’s 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display is bright, sharp, and now supports a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Everything is easily readable in bright sunlight, and HDR content looks truly spectacular. When streaming movies or scrolling through photos, you will notice that the colors are true to life, without excessive saturation.

The ProMotion technology (up to 120 Hz) smooths interactions. This difference is immediately noticeable, especially when gaming and scrolling through long feeds. Small improvement, big effect.

Cameras: Pro in practice

The biggest innovation is again in the cameras. Apple equips the iPhone 17 Pro with three lenses: wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and the improved 5x telephoto lens (exclusive on the Pro Max, but we also see big leaps on this smaller model).

Night photography

What is immediately noticeable: night mode has become much more consistent. While the 16 Pro sometimes suffered from noise or strange colors, the 17 Pro delivers detailed photos with true-to-life tones. Lantern light, starry skies or candlelight – everything is convincingly depicted.

Portraits

Portrait mode uses Apple’s new DetailMax Engine, which gives hair, skin, and fabrics more depth. Combined with the improved bokeh effects, it almost feels like you have been working with a professional lens.

Video

Videographers can count on ProRes 4K at 120 fps, and the images look downright cinematic. It’s impressive how stable and sharp the clips remain, even with fast movements. For content creators, this is a huge upgrade.

Performance: A19 Pro under the hood

The iPhone 17 Pro runs on Apple’s latest A19 Pro chip. This is especially impressive in the benchmarks, but what is more important is how it feels in practice. Apps start immediately, multitasking is effortless and demanding games run without stuttering.

With titles such as Genshin Impact and Resident Evil Village, you will notice how smoothly the graphics run, without the device getting hot. Apple’s new cooling system plays a major role in this: long-term gaming remains comfortable.

Battery and charging

A big concern with high-end smartphones is battery life, but Apple is delivering solid performance this year. During our testing, the iPhone 17 Pro easily lasted a day and a half with average use (apps, camera, streaming). Intensive days with a lot of photography and gaming brought it to the charger faster, but a full day was always feasible.

The improved fast charging function is new. With a suitable adapter you will be back to 70% in half an hour. Wireless charging via MagSafe remains available and works faster than previous generations.

Small details that make the difference

In addition to the big specs, it is the little things that make the iPhone 17 Pro pleasant in daily use. The haptics feel even more refined, with subtle feedback that seems finely tuned. Face ID works faster, even in difficult lighting conditions or when wearing sunglasses. The speakers deliver rich sound with clear bass, ideal for movies or music without headphones.

And then of course there is iOS 19, which completes the experience. The new interactive widgets and improved notification structure in particular contribute to a streamlined workflow.

Five things that struck us the most

• Cosmic Orange is a winner – a striking color that looks even better in real life than in photos.
• Cameras are next level – especially in the dark, the iPhone 17 Pro delivers consistent results.
• A19 Pro chip is powerful – gaming, multitasking and video editing, all done effortlessly.
• Battery life does not disappoint – more than a day of intensive use, and recharges quickly.
• Details make the difference – haptics, Face ID, speakers and iOS 26 ensure a refined overall experience.

Conclusion: the iPhone 17 Pro is a direct hit

The iPhone 17 Pro is not a radical reinvention, but a device in which everything is correct. Apple perfects the formula with a stronger camera system, a more powerful chip, a bright display and a battery that keeps up with the pace. The Cosmic Orange version also makes it a smartphone that can be seen.