iPhone 17 Pro: New design, A19 Pro chip and 8x zoom Apfelpatient

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max launch with an all-new unibody made of thermally conductive aluminum, featuring a laser-welded vapor chamber, Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and, for the first time, on the back, three 48 MP Fusion cameras with 8x optical zoom, an 18 MP "Center Stage" front camera, and pro video features like ProRes RAW, Log 2, and Genlock. Onboard are the A19 Pro, the new N1 wireless chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, iOS 26 with Apple Intelligence, as well as longer battery life and fast USB-C charging. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 12, and availability begins Friday, September 19.

The goal of the new Pro generation is high continuous performance for gaming, AI workloads, and professional video setups without thermal collapse. The iPhone 17 Pro brings a redesigned housing and cooling architecture, larger batteries, more robust materials, and a camera setup that replaces traditional photo and video gear with the equivalent of eight lenses. iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence bring translation, visual search, and on-device AI into everyday life.

New unibody design and thermals

The enclosure is made of brushed, aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminum. The vapor chamber is designed by Apple and laser-welded into the unibody. Deionized water transports heat from the A19 Pro into the aluminum, where it is evenly distributed. This keeps performance and surface temperatures controlled, allowing for longer periods of high load. The antennas run around the frame, forming the most powerful antenna system ever in an iPhone.

A plateau on the back creates space for internal components and thus for a larger battery. Combined with the efficiency of the A19 Pro and the power management of iOS 26, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, in particular, delivers the best battery life ever in an iPhone. USB-C can charge up to 50 percent in 20 minutes when used with a powerful power adapter such as Apple's new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with a maximum output of 60W. This adapter is available in Canada, mainland China, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, the Philippines, and the USA, among other countries.

Display and durability

The Super Retina XDR display comes in 6.3 inches on the iPhone 17 Pro and 6.9 inches on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Measured as a standard rectangle, the diagonals are 6.27 inches and 6.85 inches, respectively; the actual viewable area is slightly smaller due to the rounded corners. ProMotion up to 120 Hz, Always-On, a peak brightness of 3000 nits outdoors, and twice the contrast outdoors ensure better readability. Ceramic Shield 2 protects the front and, for the first time, the back. The new coating offers three times better scratch resistance, and the back achieves four times the crack resistance of previous glass. An improved anti-reflective layer reduces glare.

A19 Pro and N1: Performance and Connectivity

The A19 Pro is the fastest and most efficient iPhone chip to date. Combined with the vapor chamber, it enables up to 40 percent better sustained performance than the previous generation. The 6-core CPU is considered Apple's fastest smartphone CPU, while the 6-core GPU integrates neural accelerators into each core and features a larger cache and more memory than the A18 Pro. A 16-core Neural Engine accelerates local AI models and boosts graphics and frame rates in AAA titles, including hardware-accelerated ray tracing. One example is Arknights: Endfield, scheduled for release in early 2026. The iPhone 17 series introduces the N1 wireless chip. It brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, increases the reliability of hotspot and AirDrop, and prepares the device for today's smart environments.

Pro camera system with eight lens equivalents

On the back are three 48 MP Fusion cameras: wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and a new telephoto camera. The telephoto uses a next-generation tetraprism design, with a sensor that's 56 percent larger than before. The setup covers classic focal lengths, including 100 mm for 4x optical zoom and 200 mm for 8x optical zoom, the longest optical zoom in an iPhone to date. The Photonic Engine has been updated and uses more machine learning to preserve natural details, reduce noise, and visibly improve color accuracy. A digital zoom of up to 40x is available for photos. Next-generation photo styles are integrated, including the new "Bright" style in iOS 26, which brightens skin tones and adds vibrancy to images.

New “Center Stage” front camera

The front camera is completely new, uses a square sensor and delivers up to 18 MP for photos. It offers a wider field of view and can automatically expand for group shots. Photos and videos can be taken in portrait or landscape orientation while holding the iPhone vertically; the camera rotates automatically if desired. The front camera allows for ultra-stabilized 4K HDR video. Dual Capture records synchronously with the front and rear cameras, useful for posts that show the presenter and background simultaneously. During calls via FaceTime and third-party apps, Center Stage ensures that the face remains stable and in the frame.

Video for productions: ProRes RAW, Log 2 and Genlock

The iPhone 17 Pro remains the leader in smartphone videography. Dolby Vision HDR, 4K at up to 120 fps, ProRes Log, and ACES support are still available. New support for ProRes RAW, Log 2, and Genlock is also available. Genlock precisely synchronizes video across multiple cameras and inputs, eliminating the time-consuming manual alignment of individual frames. The new Blackmagic Design Camera ProDock is designed for Genlock. ProRes RAW is supported by Final Cut Camera and Blackmagic Camera, and developers can integrate it using provided APIs.

eSIM and mobile options

eSIM replaces the physical SIM and offers more flexibility, better security, and easy connection, for example, when traveling. eSIM is available as an industry standard and supported by over 500 carriers worldwide, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. eSIM-only versions of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These models utilize the freed-up space for a larger battery, achieving up to 39 hours of video playback, two hours more than before. When traveling, connectivity is maintained via low-cost international roaming plans from domestic providers or via local prepaid eSIMs from more than 200 wireless carriers. An eSIM cannot be physically removed if lost or stolen, and iOS 26 simplifies the setup of travel eSIMs.

Colors, accessories and chargers

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max come in Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange, and Silver. New accessories are available for both. The TechWoven Case is made from a technical fabric with dimensional texture and color depth and features a protective coating to protect against scratches and smudges. It is available in black, blue, violet, sienna, and green. The iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe features a transparent polycarbonate blend with a scratch-resistant coating inside and out. The Silicone Case with MagSafe comes in orange, terracotta, neon yellow, purple, midnight blue, and black. A crossbody strap can be combined with TechWoven and Silicone cases. It is made from 100 percent recycled yarn, is soft to the touch, contains flexible magnets, and a stainless steel sliding mechanism for length adjustment and stable alignment. The color palette includes black, light gray, blue, light blue, purple, sienna, green, neon yellow, light brown, and orange. For power supply, Apple offers the 40W Dynamic Power adapter with a maximum of 60W as well as a Qi2-certified 25W MagSafe charger in 1 meter and 2 meters lengths.

Environment and materials

As part of Apple 2030, emissions across the entire value chain are to be carbon neutral by the end of the decade. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max use 30 percent recycled materials, including 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery and 100 percent recycled gold in all Apple-designed circuit boards. The supply chain uses 40 percent renewable energy, such as wind and solar. The devices are designed for durability and repairability, meeting Apple's standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. Packaging is made entirely of fiber and is easily recycled.

Storage, pricing, availability and more

The iPhone 17 Pro starts at 256 GB and also offers 512 GB and 1 TB storage options. The iPhone 17 Pro Max includes 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and, for the first time, 2 TB storage options. In Germany, the iPhone 17 Pro starts at €1,299, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at €1,449. Pre-orders are available from Friday, September 12, in more than 63 countries and regions. Shipping begins on Friday, September 19, with 22 additional countries and regions following on Thursday, September 26. Accessories are available in Germany for €69 for the TechWoven case with MagSafe, €59 for the transparent case, €59 for the silicone case with MagSafe, and €69 for the crossbody strap. A FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe costs €69 and is available in black, navy blue, midnight blue, purple, fox orange, and moss green.

iPhone 17 Pro as the new benchmark for pro smartphones

The iPhone 17 Pro combines the high continuous performance of the A19 Pro with improved cooling, a robust unibody, Ceramic Shield 2, and a camera system that covers the most important focal lengths up to 200mm. ProRes RAW, Log 2, and Genlock open up workflows for professional productions. iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence bring translation, visual tools, and new app experiences. With larger batteries, faster charging, the N1 radio chip, and a wide range of accessories, this generation sets a new standard for pro smartphones. (Image: Apple)