Design: a discreet but significant evolution
Apple does not upset the aesthetics of its smartphones, but refines the details. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max already adopted titanium and a sober design. The iPhone 17 Pro rely on a more robust unibody aluminum frame, incorporating a new steam room to better dispel heat. The thickness goes from 8.25 mm (iPhone 16 pro max) to 8.75 mm on the 17 pro max, an assumed choice to house a denser battery.
In hand, the comfort gain is felt little, but the promise is clear: more solidity and better thermal longevity, especially during intensive uses (game, 8K video, on -board AI).
Power: the leap of the A19 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro was embarking on the A18 pro chip engraved in 3 Nm, already formidable. Apple crosses a CAP with the A19 Pro, announced up to 50 % faster on the CPU side and 2.5 times more efficient on the GPU side. The RAM is climbing to 12 GB on the 17 pro models, against 8 GB on the 16 pro.
In fact, the gap will mainly result in better multitasking management and greater software sustainability. Large consumers of mobile games, video or augmented reality will really benefit from this generation jump. For conventional use, the difference will be less noticeable.
Autonomy and load: real progress
This is one of the strengths of this generation. The iPhone 16 Pro Max was already holding a full day, but the 17 pro Max pushes the bar at almost 39 hours of video playback against around 33 hours earlier. The pro model also gains ten hours in intensive use.
Another appreciable novelty: the 40 W wired load on the Pro Max, allowing to reach 50 % in 20 minutes. The 16 pro remain blocked at 25 W. The Magsafe retains its limit to 25 W, but the difference will be felt for pressed users.
Screen: always brighter
The diagonals do not change: 6.3 inches for the pro, 6.9 inches for the pro max. But the brightness climbs to 3,000 nits, against around 2,000 nits on the iPhone 16 pro. A useful gain outdoors, especially in full sun. The OLED LTPO package 120 Hz promotion is also unchanged.
Photo and video: the argument for creators
The iPhone 16 Pro Max had introduced a 5x periscopic zoom. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max go further with a 4x native optical zoom and a hybrid zoom up to 8x, exploiting three 48 Mp sensors each (main, ultra-wide, telephoto).
In video, Apple adds tools designed for the pros: Dual Capture (film simultaneously with the front and rear cameras), Prore RAW recording, and Genlock compatibility for multi-limited production environments. The front camera goes to 18 Mp with Center Stage, against 12 Mp on the previous generation.
Storage and Price: the bar rises
The iPhone 16 Pro Max were offered up to 1 TB. The iPhone 17 Pro Max cross a CAP with an option 2 TB, a record for an Apple smartphone.
In terms of prices, the increase is tangible:
- iPhone 17 pro: from € 1,329
- iPhone 17 pro max: from € 1,479
To be compared to the 16 pro which started around € 1,159 in France.
So, should we go to the 17 pro this year?
- Ouiif you are looking for a sharp increase, a quick load finally worthy of the name, pro photo/video capacities (zoom 8x, dual capture), or massive storage up to 2 TB. The players and content creators will take full advantage of the A19 Pro chip and the steam room.
- Nonif you already have an iPhone 16 Pro/Max and your needs remain classic (social networks, family photo, a day’s autonomy). The iPhone 16 remains ultra-performance and will be updated anyway with the latest versions of iOS.
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