At a look
Knowledgeable’s Score
Professionals
- Attractive show
- Compact design
- Very good efficiency
- Sensible cameras
- Strong battery life
Cons
- Divisive design
- Common iPhone 17 is best worth
- Heavier and fewer sturdy
- Costlier
Our Verdict
The Apple iPhone 17 Professional is a wonderful telephone. It has heaps of efficiency, a fantastic battery life, improbable entrance and rear cameras and a strong construct high quality, even when its design is considerably divisive. The most important downside the iPhone 17 Professional has is how good the common iPhone 17 is for lots much less cash.
Worth When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Greatest Pricing As we speak
Worth When Reviewed
$1,099 (256GB) | $1,299 (512GB) | $1,499 (1TB) | $1,999 (2TB)
Greatest Costs As we speak: Apple iPhone 17 Professional
$1099
It’s simple to imagine the very best iPhone to purchase is the iPhone Professional and for a very long time that’s been true when you’re searching for the very best Apple has to supply when it comes to energy, digicam, battery and show efficiency. For years, the iPhone Professional fashions have tied all these attributes up into one neat little package deal. Or huge package deal when you take into account the iPhone Professional Max.
For the primary time in a very long time although, the iPhone 17 Professional particularly, has a more durable combat on its arms to be thought of the only option. The iPhone 17 Professional Max will win folks over for providing the most important show and longest battery lifetime of the newest iPhone fashions, however with the iPhone 17 Professional having the identical show because the cheaper iPhone 17, an analogous a battery life and the identical entrance digicam, does the iPhone 17 Professional do sufficient to warrant its place?
I’ve been utilizing it for the final month because it was introduced to seek out out what you get with the iPhone 17 Professional over the iPhone 17 and if there’s nonetheless a ok purpose to purchase it.
Design & Construct
- Aluminium body with glass, IP68 rated
- 204g; 8.75mm thick
- Ceramic Defend 2 entrance, Ceramic Defend again
Apple refreshed the design of its Professional fashions for 2025, extra so than it has finished in the previous few years. Each the iPhone 17 Professional and the iPhone 17 Professional Max are nonetheless distinguished by the three lenses within the high left nook of their rears, however these lenses now sit inside what Apple is looking a ‘Plateau’.
Basically, it is a giant raised part that spans the width of the telephone, not too dissimilar to what Google does on its Pixels, although round double the dimensions.
Britta O’Boyle
The ‘Plateau’ is aluminium quite than glass, nevertheless, forming a seamless end between the body and this raised part, which isn’t only for the digicam lenses, however it’s additionally the place Apple is housing a whole lot of the iPhone 17 Professional’s inside elements. You’ll have noticed I mentioned aluminium there quite than titanium and that’s one other change that’s occurred this yr for the iPhone 17 Professional.
I don’t suppose its as sturdy because the titanium body of the iPhone 16 Professional (although nonetheless IP68 as you’d count on), and the iPhone 17 Professional is marginally heavier too, however except you’re upgrading from final yr’s fashions, you might not discover.
What you’ll little doubt spot nevertheless, is the dual-textured end. Beneath that ‘Plateau’ on the high of the rear is a glass panel. That is protected by Ceramic Defend for the primary time, a cloth beforehand used to guard the shows on the entrance of the iPhone 16 Professional. The panel is considerably colour-matched to the body, although not utterly, leading to a extra rugged look than the Professionals have had previously.
The 2-tone end makes the glass panel seem like a charging pad, which is precisely why it’s there, whether or not you just like the look or not. A (MagSafe) charging pad to cost the telephone, that’s, because the 17 Professional (or Professional Max) doesn’t assist reverse wi-fi charging.
The Deep Blue hides the dual-textured end higher than the others, however the Cosmic Orange is probably the most hanging general
Britta O’Boyle
I’m nonetheless on the fence with the design, although as I mentioned in my iPhone 17 Professional Max evaluation, it’s rising on me. Of the three finishes – Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange and Silver – it’s the Cosmic Orange I’d select, however that’s me. The Deep Blue hides the dual-textured end higher than the others, however the Cosmic Orange is probably the most hanging general (although some customers have been having discolouration points with it).
Controversially, there’s no normal black possibility for the iPhone 17 Professional this yr, which could displease those that need a extra refined end.
Twin-material end and ‘Plateau’ apart and the iPhone 17 Professional is just like the iPhone 16 Professional when it comes to its operate buttons. The customisable Motion Button sits on the highest left edge instead of the earlier silence toggle, whereas the Digicam Management button is on the underside proper edge.
I exploit each of those usually, selecting to launch WhatsApp with the Motion Button and usually opening the digicam with the Digicam Management button, in addition to utilizing it to take a photograph. I don’t use it to regulate zoom or publicity (which is fiddly), although you possibly can if you wish to.
The iPhone 17 Professional is rather more compact than the iPhone 17 Professional Max and subsequently extra manageable one-handed. It’s heavier than the iPhone Air (which has a bigger show) and the iPhone 17 (which has the identical measurement show), however it’s a well-balanced telephone and a pleasure to make use of.
Display & Audio system
- 6.3-inch, 120Hz, 2622 x 1206, OLED
- 3000 nits peak brightness
- Stereo audio system
The Apple iPhone 17 Professional has a 6.3-inch show and it’s attractive however as I alluded to originally of this evaluation, there’s something to notice right here in comparison with the iPhone 17 Professional Max: it’s precisely the identical show because the common iPhone 17 this time. That’s nice information for the usual mannequin however not so nice for the iPhone 17 Professional as there’s one much less purpose to spend the additional money on the Professional.
The iPhone 17 Professional Max doesn’t have this challenge because it lays declare to providing the most important show within the iPhone lineup, however with the iPhone 17 rising in measurement to the identical because the iPhone 17 Professional, and providing the identical know-how like ProMotion, the smaller iPhone 17 Professional has a more durable job on its arms to win favour.
the iPhone 17 Professional, like the opposite fashions within the new line up, makes for a superb content material viewing machine
Britta O’Boyle
Nonetheless, the show continues to be fantastic and in contrast to the iPhone 17 Professional Max, it’s simple to succeed in the highest with one hand. The ProMotion tech means all the pieces from scrolling by way of social media to gaming and studying the information is superb, whereas viewing angles are additionally nice, as is element, with all the pieces from the time stamp within the high left nook of the display to app icons good and sharp.
There’s excellent distinction too, as you’ll count on from an OLED show, with inky blacks, brilliant whites and vibrant colors so the iPhone 17 Professional, like the opposite fashions within the new line up, makes for a superb content material viewing machine.
The iPhone 16 Professional gives all these show attributes I’ve simply talked about too, together with the Dynamic Island characteristic that I’m an enormous fan of, and have been because it was first introduced in 2022. It permits for a lot better multi-tasking than was doable earlier than the iPhone 14 Professional, switching music tracks or turning off timers with out having to go away no matter you’re doing on the primary show.
Britta O’Boyle
The place the iPhone 17 Professional gives one thing additional over the iPhone 16 Professional, nevertheless, is a bump in brightness. The height brightness now tops out at 3,000 nits and whilst you received’t at all times see the advantage of that as it’ll solely kick in at sure occasions, it does make viewing the iPhone 17 Professional exterior on a sunny day simpler. Photographs look beautiful too and it helps while you’re watching HDR content material.
On the subject of the audio system on the iPhone 17 Professional, there’s no change right here in comparison with the iPhone 16 Professional. That’s no unhealthy factor although because the audio system do a ok job if you could hearken to a voice notice or watch a fast video and also you’ve forgotten your headphones. They aren’t going to compete with a Bluetooth speaker and so they received’t be loud sufficient to get a backyard celebration going, however they’re will do what you want for informal listening.
Specs & Efficiency
- Apple A19 Professional
- 12GB RAM
- As much as 1TB storage
The Apple iPhone 17 Professional runs on the corporate’s most superior processor, the A19 Professional. That’s the identical as what one can find within the iPhone 17 Professional Max, in addition to the iPhone Air, whereas the common iPhone 17 drops the ‘Professional’ to supply the A19 underneath its hood.
As you’ll count on, efficiency is great from the iPhone 17 Professional. All the things is buttery easy, from opening apps to switching between duties. I performed video games, edited pictures and went about all my ordinary day-to-day duties with none signal of lag or stutter.
I didn’t need for something efficiency sensible on the iPhone 17 Professional
Britta O’Boyle
Apple additionally added a vapour chamber contained in the iPhone 17 Professional fashions for the primary time this yr and I did discover it was cooler than my iPhone 16 Professional once I was gaming for lengthy intervals. When you take a look at the benchmark scores, the A19 Professional does are available underneath the assessments we ran on a reference machine working the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 that may energy numerous upcoming Android flagship telephones, however as I mentioned with the iPhone 17 Professional Max, I didn’t need for something efficiency sensible on the iPhone 17 Professional.
The bottom storage for the iPhone 17 Professional has elevated from the conventional 128GB to 256GB, although pricing isn’t the identical (very similar to the Pixel 10 Professional XL), so that you don’t get double the storage for ‘free’ such as you do on the common iPhone 17.
When you don’t suppose 256GB will probably be sufficient, then there may be additionally a 512GB mannequin and a 1TB mannequin for the iPhone 17 Professional, however no 2TB mannequin just like the iPhone 17 Professional Max. I believe it’s unlikely most will want even want 1TB, given I’ve 65,000 photographs, 2,500 movies and 263 apps put in and that’s solely utilizing 160GB, however if you’re somebody that shoots a whole lot of RAW pictures, you may discover you want these additional storage choices.
Elsewhere on the spec entrance, the iPhone 17 Professional is believed to have 12GB of RAM (Apple doesn’t formally specify), and there may be additionally a brand new N1 chip inside for wi-fi networking.
That chip helps Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, and it’s designed to enhance the general efficiency and reliability in issues like utilizing AirDrop while doing one thing else, or connecting a number of shoppers to your iPhone hotspot. I had no networking points with the iPhone 17 Professional, which I’m taking as a great signal for the N1, even when I can’t say I seen any big efficiency enhancements whereas utilizing my hotspot in comparison with the iPhone 16 Professional.
Cameras
- 48Mp important, f/1.78 sensor
- 48Mp ultra-wide, f/2.2 sensor
- 48Mp telephoto, f/1.78 sensor
- 18Mp, f/1.9 entrance digicam with Centre Stage
I’ve talked about a number of areas the place the iPhone 17 Professional is now on par with the common iPhone 17 due to main enhancements to the common mannequin, however digicam is one space the place the Professional mannequin is a number of steps forward.
That’s largely right down to its 48Mp telephoto sensor, which the iPhone 17 doesn’t supply, however it has a distinct important digicam and ultrawide digicam too, with each bigger sensors than the usual mannequin.
the great thing about the iPhone 17 Professional is its point-and-shoot strategy that makes it very troublesome to take a nasty photograph
Outcomes from all three rear lenses are glorious, with nice consistency and pictures that supply a beautiful, pure color accuracy and fantastic element. I’m not an expert photographer, however the great thing about the iPhone 17 Professional is its point-and-shoot strategy that makes it very troublesome to take a nasty photograph.
For these which can be into pictures, there are eight focal lenses to flick between – Macro to 200mm – all of which you are able to do simply from the on-screen controls.
The 8x optical zoom (up from the iPhone 16 Professional’s 5x) enables you to get that little bit nearer to the topic and it delivers some good pictures of nonetheless topics like landmarks. The principle sensor in the meantime, is nice for footage of your pets and youngsters, whereas the ultrawide sensor takes some pretty panorama pictures.
I discovered the iPhone 17 Professional to be nice in all lighting circumstances too, with Evening Mode kicking in mechanically when wanted and never taking an age to seize the second.
Britta O’Boyle
Often the entrance digicam in a evaluation will solely get a quick point out however the iPhone 17 Professional’s selfie digicam is as spectacular because the rear. It ought to be famous that the common iPhone 17 and iPhone Air share this sensor too so the hole is being closed once more, however it’s a superb digicam and one which ought to be applauded.
Not solely does it characteristic the Centre Stage know-how one can find on iPad and Mac, guaranteeing you keep within the body even when you transfer round, however the framing will adapt if extra folks be part of your video name or selfie too. The sensor can be sq., which lets you seize portrait and panorama selfies with out rotating the telephone. You’ll be able to faucet on the on-screen controls simply above the shutter button, or you possibly can permit the software program to adapt mechanically.
Britta O’Boyle
There are a whole lot of nice options on the iPhone 17 Professional, however that is one in all my favourites. It leads to higher selfies general, not simply due to the rise in decision from 12- to 18Mp, however having the ability to maintain your telephone vertically for a selfie is extra pure and everybody is aware of the place to look too.
There are some neat methods for video too, the place the iPhone continues to be the very best within the wider market. A brand new Twin Seize options allows the entrance digicam and rear digicam to file concurrently.
It really works properly in use and is nice for issues like sports activities occasions or concert events the place you wish to movie your response alongside what’s taking place. There’s additionally Motion Mode on the entrance digicam so when you’re filming utilizing the entrance digicam and also you’re shifting round or strolling, all the pieces is extra steady than it was beforehand.
Battery Life & Charging
- As much as 31 hours
- 40W wired charging
- 20W wi-fi charging assist
Whereas the iPhone 17 Professional doesn’t supply fairly the identical battery prowess because the iPhone 17 Professional Max, it nonetheless does a fantastic job of getting you thru the day and into the following. Apple claims the iPhone 17 Professional gives you 31 hours of video playback and whereas I’ve not sat there watching YouTube for a whole day after which some, I had no battery nervousness with the iPhone 17 Professional.
You’ll be able to reportedly get 50% battery in 20 minutes with Apple’s new 40W adapter
Britta O’Boyle
I begin my days round 6am and I put my telephone again on cost round midnight and I didn’t finish a day with underneath 20 per cent. I at all times put my telephone on cost at night time, however when you’re somebody who likes to remain out until the early hours often, the iPhone 17 Professional ought to get you that late night time cab dwelling.
It should in fact rely on what sort of person you’re to some extent, however evaluation testing intervals usually contain what I’d take into account to be heavy use.
Steady digicam testing, working benchmarks and gameplay all eat up the battery however they aren’t regular every day utilization patterns for most individuals. The truth that the iPhone 17 Professional was in a position to maintain them offers me confidence the battery can be ok for most individuals’s typical use.
Britta O’Boyle
On the subject of charging, Apple has elevated the wi-fi and wired charging for the iPhone 17 Professional, even when it nonetheless doesn’t come near the likes of OnePlus or Xiaomi when it comes to high speeds. You’ll be able to reportedly get 50% battery in 20 minutes with Apple’s new 40W adapter, whereas wi-fi charging is now supported as much as 20W and MagSafe as much as 30W.
Do needless to say the iPhone 17 Professional solely comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable within the field, because it has finished for a number of years, so that you’ll must supply your personal appropriate chargers to attain these new speeds.
Software program & Apps
- iOS 26
- Often 7 years of software program updates
The iPhone 17 Professional runs on the iOS 26 software program out of the field, which all iPhone fashions from the iPhone 11 and newer can improve to. It means you don’t essentially want the newest iPhone fashions to profit from the brand new options, or within the case of iOS 26, a brand new design, however one can find some options run extra easily on the newer fashions.
For any options requiring Apple Intelligence, you’ll want an iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 16 or one of many iPhone 17 fashions so bear that in thoughts too.
it’s most likely the most important shake as much as the interface since iOS 7
Britta O’Boyle
The iOS 26 software program gives a extra fluid interface than earlier iterations of iPhone’s software program. The ‘Liquid Glass’ design, as Apple calls it, options numerous translucent menus and settings which can be overlaid throughout the remainder of the content material on the display so you possibly can see extra.
In the meantime while you work together with it, it seems just like what working a magnifying glass over textual content seems like. I like the brand new software program design however it’s most likely the most important shake as much as the interface since iOS 7 so it would take a bit getting used to for some.
Alongside its recent look, iOS 26 brings some new options too, together with a redesigned Telephone app, simplified Digicam app and a brand new Video games app. It’s additionally doable so as to add backgrounds to Messages which is enjoyable, and my private favorite is the brand new potential to vary the snooze length in your alarm from the default 9 minutes to something between 1 minute and quarter-hour.
Britta O’Boyle
Synthetic intelligence options aren’t as superior on iPhone because the likes of Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy, although iOS 26 does convey some additional performance. You’ll be able to create higher automations within the Shortcuts app due to intelligence actions, whereas taking a screenshot pulls up Visible Intelligence, which is extra contextually conscious of your display so it could do issues like detect a date and add it to your calendar with one faucet.
There’s nonetheless some anticipation for options like a better and extra personalised Siri to compete with the likes of Gemini Dwell, however basically, the software program expertise on the iPhone 17 Professional is nice. Apple doesn’t specify what number of years of updates its gadgets will get like Android telephones, however normally it’s round seven years (matching Google and Samsung flagships) so the iPhone 17 Professional ought to see you thru to 2030 and past with new options every year.
Worth & Availability
The Apple iPhone 17 Professional went on sale on 19 September. It is available in three color choices of Silver, Deep Blue and Cosmic Orange and three storage choices of 256-, 512GB and 1TB, with costs beginning at £1,099. The 512GB mannequin prices £1,299 and the 1TB prices £1,499.
It’s that can be purchased from numerous retailers, together with Apple itself, Amazon, Very and networks together with EE and Vodafone.
Within the US, costs begin from $1,099 for 256GB of storage and you should buy from numerous retailers, together with Apple and Greatest Purchase.
Examine our listing of the very best telephones to see our present high 10 suggestions.
Must you purchase the Apple iPhone 17 Professional?
There’s no denying the Apple iPhone 17 Professional is a wonderful telephone. It has heaps of efficiency, a fantastic battery life, improbable entrance and rear digicam capabilities and a strong construct high quality. However whether or not you can purchase it or not is a more durable query to reply than it’s with the iPhone 17 Professional Max.
In the end, it very a lot is determined by how a lot you suppose you want the additional energy the iPhone 17 Professional mannequin gives over the common iPhone 17 and the way a lot you’ll use its additional zoom performance. With the iPhone 17 providing numerous the identical core options, like show and entrance digicam, whereas costing £300/$300 much less, it’s important to ask your self if the extras the 17 Professional gives are justified for you.
Its design may not be everybody’s cup of tea however the greatest downside the iPhone 17 Professional has isn’t something to do with what this telephone does unsuitable as a result of frankly, that’s little or no. As an alternative, it’s bought all the pieces to do with how good the common iPhone 17 is.
If you need the very best efficiency and digicam capabilities in a compact type, the iPhone 17 Professional is Apple’s star pupil, however I wouldn’t blame you for saving the money.
Specs
- iOS 26
- 6.3-inch, 1-120Hz LTPO AMOLED show
- Apple A19 Professional
- 12GB RAM
- 256GB/512GB/1TB storage
- 48Mp, f/1.78, OIS important digicam
- 48Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digicam
- 48Mp, f/1.78 telephoto digicam
- 18Mp, f/1.9, selfie digicam
- As much as 31 hours battery
- 40W wired charging
- 20W wi-fi charging
- Stereo audio system
- IP68 water and mud resistance
- Ceramic Defend again
- Ceramic Defend 2 entrance
- 5G
- 150 x 71.9 x 8.75 mm
- 204g
