• Source:JND
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Apple unveiled two of their most advanced smartphones yet -- the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max -- at its annual Awe Dropping event on Tuesday. These flagship models join their predecessors - iPhone 17 and iPhone Air in Apple's 2025 lineup; boasting striking new designs, powerful performance upgrades and significant camera enhancements; Apple's Awe Dropping event provided the ideal environment to unveil them officially.

iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max Price and Availability

Apple continues to price its Pro lineup in the ultra-premium category:

 

  • iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 (~₹1,34,900 in India) for the 256GB model.
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (~₹1,49,900 in India) for the 256GB model.
  • Both models will be available in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver finishes.
  • Pre-orders begin September 12, with global sales kicking off on September 19.

 

New Unibody Design and Build

In a surprising twist, Apple has moved away from titanium, returning the Pro models to an aluminum build. The devices now feature a unibody chassis with a redesigned “full-width camera plateau”, creating a smoother and more integrated back panel look. While the iPhone Air takes over as the titanium-bodied model in the lineup, the Pro devices balance premium materials with a more uniform aesthetic.

The new Ceramic Shield 2 front glass includes an Apple-engineered coating that reportedly offers 3x better scratch resistance, giving the displays extra durability.

Displays: Brighter and Sharper Than Ever

 

  • iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with ProMotion (up to 120Hz).
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with the same specs.
  • Both devices come with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits making them the brightest available smartphones.

 

The ProMotion feature switches the refresh rates of your device between 1Hz and 120Hz that helps in smooth visuals and efficient power.

A19 Pro Chip and Vapour Chamber Cooling

At the heart of both Pro models is Apple’s all-new A19 Pro chipset, which Apple touts as its “most capable iPhone chip yet.” Built on a 3nm process, it houses a six-core CPU and six-core GPU, each GPU core enhanced with neural accelerators for AI-powered tasks.

For the first time, the Pro versions have a vapour chamber cooling system, providing better sustained performance during gaming, video editing, and other intensive tasks. Apple claims the A19 Pro will provide a sustained performance improvement of up to 40% versus the previous generation.

Cameras: Triple 48MP Setup With Massive Zoom Upgrades

The camera system gets its biggest leap yet. Both Pro models feature a triple 48MP rear camera array:

 

  • 48MP Primary sensor with larger aperture and sensor-shift OIS.
  • 48MP Ultra-Wide sensor for expansive shots and macro photography.
  • 48MP Telephoto sensor, a huge jump from last year’s 12MP lens, offering:
    • 8x optical zoom
    • 40x digital zoom
    • 56% larger sensor area for better detail and low-light performance.
  • On the front, users get a new 18MP Centre Stage-enabled selfie camera, which intelligently frames photos and video calls.

 

This triple 48MP setup is a first for iPhones, designed to rival professional camera systems in versatility and performance.

Software: iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence

The iPhone 17 Pro lineup runs iOS 26, bringing Apple’s new Liquid Glass UI for smoother transitions and visual effects. More importantly, the phones come with full support for Apple Intelligence — the company’s suite of AI-powered features, including:

 

  • Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone.
  • AI-powered photo and video enhancements.
  • Call and message screening tools.
  • Enhanced visual intelligence for contextual information directly in apps.

 

Battery and Charging

Thanks to the unibody design, Apple has managed to fit in larger batteries. According to Apple:

 

  • The iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers the best battery life ever in an iPhone.
  • Both models support high-wattage USB-C charging, with 50% charge in just 20 minutes.

 

Final Thoughts

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max represent Apple’s most ambitious step forward yet, combining a radical new design, vapour chamber cooling, and a triple 48MP camera system with the raw power of the A19 Pro chip. With iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence baked in, these devices are not just smartphones but productivity and creativity hubs.

For professionals, photographers, and tech enthusiasts, the iPhone 17 Pro models may well be the ultimate iPhones to date — while also setting a new benchmark for what a flagship phone can deliver.