I’ve been using the iPhone 17 Pro for a month — here’s my pros and cons

One week you scratch the surface, two weeks get you deeper, but a month is more than enough time to appreciate a phone’s full potential. That’s exactly where I’m at now with the iPhone 17 Pro, which like its predecessors, isn’t just trying to be a viable best phone contender — it’s also trying to prove it’s the more compelling model in Apple’s lineup.

That’s because there’s less of a gap separating the prices of Apple’s new models. For example, its starting price of $1,099 is $100 more than previous models. This makes it $100 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it’s also $100 more than the iPhone Air. Needless to say, it’s complicated this time around.

But now that I’ve spent over a month using the iPhone 17 Pro and testing out its new features, like its new Center Stage camera and ‘upgraded’ telephoto camera, I have a better idea of how it really stacks up. And more importantly, whether it’s something I would recommend.

iPhone 17 Pro : What I Like

Amazing gaming performance

Above all, I can’t tell you enough about A19 Pro’s performance — it really puts other phones to shame in the graphics department, even the best gaming phones out there. Paired with its even brighter 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, it feels so rewarding to put in the amount of hours as I do with gaming. Its benchmark scores below prove that.

Games like Diablo Immortal come to life with how it handles shadows and lighting effects, while fast-paced racing games like Asphalt Legends run at super smooth frame rates that keep up the action. With strategy games like Age of Origins, the iPhone 17 Pro is a champ at showing battle scenes unfold.

Best of all, it doesn’t heat up as much as previous models I’ve tested — which is in part to the new vapor chamber system it incorporates.

Refreshing makeover

A new color option makes a huge difference in adding variety to the iPhone 17 Pro, but I also like the design makeover it gets as well. While there’s ongoing debate about this new paint job, as there’s been reports of the cosmic orange model changing color and iPhone 17 ‘scratchgate’ controversy, my iPhone 17 Pro has remained relatively unharmed for the past month. Yes, there are a few superficial scratches on it, but I haven’t been good at keeping a case on it like I do with my other phones.

Aside from the new two-tone color design, Apple refines the design of the iPhone 17 Pro by extending the camera compartment — making it more symmetrical in a way. I also like how the edges now have a slight contour to them, making it even more comfortable when my hand touches its aluminum frame.

It’s a low light camera beast

Image 1 of 2

Another area where the iPhone 17 Pro continues to impress me is the low light performance of its main camera. Apple might not have changed the hardware, but whatever new image processing algorithms it’s using really draws out more details than other camera phones I’ve tested.

In my 200 photo shootout with the iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra, and then subsequently my 200 photo shootout with the iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Pixel 10 Pro XL, Apple proves it’s a low light master — and the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max share the same identical main camera.

In pitch dark conditions, I’m still astounded by how the iPhone 17 Pro’s night mode makes it look like it’s daytime. Most cameras tend to deliver softer results, but not this one as it retains a lot of the details.

Better value than the iPhone Air

I haven’t used the iPhone Air that much, but from what I know about it from my colleague’s iPhone Air review, I would recommend getting the iPhone 17 Pro over it. Don’t be charmed by the ultra-thin design of the iPhone Air, especially when it’s only $100 less than the iPhone 17 Pro.

With that difference, the only benefit you’re getting is a slimmer and lighter phone. The downsides include a single rear camera, way shorter battery life, and a less powerful processor. If you’re spending this much, you might as well fork over the extra money and get the iPhone 17 Pro.

iPhone 17 Pro: What I Don’t Like

No major change with telephoto camera performance

One of the biggest concerns I had heading into using the iPhone 17 Pro is how its new telephoto camera performs. Apple’s strategy this year is a familiar one I’ve seen play out countless times with other best camera phone contenders, but nonetheless one I’ve been eager to put to the test.

While its 48MP telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom highlights the high resolution sensor Apple’s favored, the optical zoom is actually scaled back versus the 5x one with the previous model. As a result, I don’t see much improvement compared to the previous telephoto camera. Just take a look at the comparison shot above I captured with the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Less value over the iPhone 17 Pro Max

Even though Apple gives the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max the same hardware, I just don’t feel like the 17 Pro has as much value as previous models. That’s mainly due to the $100 price increase it gets this time, which drives up the price to $1,099 — whereas previous models fetched for $999.

Although it’s been upgraded to double the storage amount at 256GB, the $100 difference separating it from the iPhone 17 Pro Max isn’t enough for me to say it has as good or better value. That’s because for the extra money, you’re getting a larger display and longer battery life. In fact, it lasts over 2 hours longer with our battery drain test. That’s significant in my opinion. You’re

iPhone 17 Pro: bottom line

Unless you prefer its smaller size, it’s really hard for me to recommend the iPhone 17 Pro over the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Yes, it shares the majority of the same hardware, like its triple 48MP cameras, A19 Pro chip, and new vapor cooling system, but its higher cost doesn’t give it as nearly the same kind of value I see from the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

But it’s still an outstanding phone that works in all the areas I need it to work in. As a camera phone in my pocket, the quality is outstanding no matter the situation or lighting conditions. When it comes to productivity and gaming, the A19 Pro makes everything run so effortlessly. Like I said, it’s a good phone with everything I’d want in a flagship — but I wish it were still $200 less like in previous years.

Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

More from Tom’s Guide