The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max have arrived, and they represent a significant step in Apple’s flagship smartphone strategy. This isn’t just an update; it’s a re-engineering of the Pro lineup, blending powerful new hardware with a refreshed design that aims to improve performance, durability, and the user’s creative workflow.
The most notable change is the new aluminum unibody design, a shift from the titanium frame of previous Pro models. This new design is optimized for performance and battery life, with an aluminum alloy that is both lighter and offers exceptional thermal conductivity. This works in conjunction with a new vapor chamber cooling system, a technology now incorporated to help dissipate heat from the A19 Pro chip and ensure sustained performance during intensive tasks like gaming or ProRes video recording.
At the heart of the new iPhones is the A19 Pro chip, built on a 3nm process, which is designed to provide faster performance and greater efficiency. This is supported by an increase to 12GB of RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and enabling advanced on-device AI features. On the display front, both the Pro and Pro Max models feature Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion up to 120Hz. The displays also boast Ceramic Shield on both the front and back, with the back being four times more resistant to cracks and the front offering three times better scratch resistance than the previous generation.
For photography, the new Pro series comes with an upgraded camera system. All three rear cameras are now 48MP, representing a significant upgrade to the telephoto and ultra-wide lenses. The telephoto camera now offers 4x and 8x optical zoom, giving users a greater range for capturing distant subjects. The new Center Stage front camera is a 24MP sensor that not only improves image quality but also enables simultaneous front and rear video capture. The Pro models can also record 4K 120fps video in Dolby Vision and support ProRes RAW capture.
Pricing & Availability
The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 (~RM 4,622) and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (~RM 5,043) in the US. In Malaysia, the iPhone 17 Pro will have a retail price starting at RM5,499 and the Pro Max will start at RM5,9999.
The Pro models are available in three colors: Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange. Pre-orders are set to begin on Friday, September 12, with general availability starting on Friday, September 19.
