Being given the opportunity to review an Apple device has been quite an interesting experience for me. The last time I had the opportunity to do so was during the launch of the iPhone 14 around 2022. In fact, I myself am a daily user of the iPhone 14. Therefore, a comparison between the experience of using the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 17 Pro gives a clear picture of the technological developments and design improvements of Apple products.
Device Specifications
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Screen 6.3 inches LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits, 1600 nits (HBM) 3000 nits (peak)
Apple A19 Pro processor (3 nm)
2 x 4.26 GHz chips
4 x X.X GHz
Apple GPU Graphics Chip
(6 core graphics)
RAM 12GB RAM,
Internal Capacity 256/512/1TB
Primary Camera 48 MP, f/1.8 (wide) OIS
48 MP, f/2.8 (periscope telephoto) OIS, 4x zoom
48 MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide)
TOF 3D LiDAR (depth)
Selfie Camera 18 MP (ultrawide) PDAF
SL 3D (depth/biometric sensor)
Battery 3,998 mAh
25W Wireless MagSafe/Qi2
4.5W Reverse wired
SIM/Nano Telephony/5G
NFC Yes
Audio Jack No
Waterproof IP68
Scanning System Face ID facial scanner
Selling Price (256 GB) – RM 5499
(512 GB) – RM 6499
(1 TB) – RM 7499
Usage Experience
iPhone 17 Pro introduces several significant changes, especially in terms of a more modern design. The back has a dedicated space that houses the camera bump horizontally and vertically. This arrangement replaces the original position in the left corner that has been used since the iPhone 11. Although the overall design has undergone some changes, Apple still maintains its identity through the arrangement of three triangular lenses that have become a common feature of the Pro series.
The physical finish of the iPhone 17 Pro model shows an improvement in terms of design and function. Apple combines a matte finish in the middle with the Apple logo and a non-slip gloss to achieve a balance between appearance and usability. From a daily use perspective, the first thing I noticed was the slightly different weight compared to the iPhone 14 model. As a user accustomed to lighter devices, this change was quite noticeable. However, according to colleagues in the office, the weight was still within the usual range for the Pro model.
In terms of construction, this device feels balanced in every part including around the camera module. This balance plays an important role in ensuring a comfortable use experience especially when the device is used for a long period of time.
Apple also made changes to the construction material of the iPhone 17 Pro by replacing titanium with aluminum unibody. This move received mixed reactions especially from users who are accustomed to titanium construction. Some thought this change affected the quality, but Apple explained that the use of aluminum is better suited for heat management and can support more stable thermal performance.
In my opinion, this new design looks less neat than the previous model. It is not in line with Apple's design style which usually emphasizes details and premium finishes. This design looks awkward and less prominent in terms of quality synonymous with the Apple brand.
Aluminum is a softer material than titanium. Therefore, it can be expected that the iPhone 17 Pro is more susceptible to scratches, especially on the sharp edges of the camera. Although the surface is protected by a scratch-resistant finish, it is still susceptible to friction when in contact with objects such as cables or cloth.
Placing the phone with keys or coins also risks causing scratches. This point was also voiced by several other users who expressed their dissatisfaction with the aluminum construction, especially for units with bright colors such as orange and blue. Many of them reported significant physical damage after a short period of use.
However, after almost three weeks of using the iPhone 17 Pro, the finish still looks like new. The screen is also still in good condition even though I did not use any additional protector. However, I cannot guarantee long-term durability because it depends greatly on the way of use and the level of daily care.
The power button and camera button are still maintained on the right side of the device. On the left side, there are three additional buttons for audio adjustments as well as an Action Button that can be customized according to needs. The iPhone 17 Pro also supports stereo speakers placed next to the USB-C port and another one on the earcup.
Regarding the USB-C port, it took me a while to get used to it because my previous iPhone 14 still used the Lightning connector. Although this change required some adjustment, I found the use of USB-C more practical and compatible with the various modern accessories that I use every day.
Throughout my use of the iPhone 17 Pro, the Face ID function worked as well as usual. Despite some minor changes to the internals, the size of the front camera module is still large and clear. I'm also used to it since using the iPhone 14 which still retains the notch, so the presence of this module did not interfere with my overall usage experience.
The iPhone 17 Pro comes with an IP68 rating, which technically allows it to survive depths of up to 1.5m for 30 minutes. However, Apple claims that the device can survive up to 6 meters, a figure that far exceeds the usual standards. To be honest, I have never tried to submerge it myself. As far as getting it exposed to rain or splashes of water in daily use, I have not encountered any problems.
The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display is indeed outstanding, as expected from an Apple device. It supports ProMotion technology that allows the refresh rate to change automatically according to usage patterns. For users who want to maintain the 60Hz rate, the setting can be changed through the accessibility menu. In addition, this screen is also protected with Ceramic Shield Glass 2 to increase scratch resistance.
I found that light reflection was reduced and the display was clearer when used outdoors, especially under sunlight. Visual quality is also improved with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, which makes videos brighter and more vivid. Interestingly, Apple's HDR also works in windowed mode, so HDR content can be enjoyed without having to go full screen. The True Tone feature is also still maintained and helps adjust the color temperature of the screen according to the ambient lighting.
The iPhone 17 Pro's speaker system works well. It uses a stereo arrangement with one speaker on the bottom and another on the top that also functions as an earpiece. The sound produced is clear for watching videos, music, and calls, although not completely balanced because the bottom speaker is more dominant.
The sound level is also moderate. In open areas or in noisy environments, I had to turn the volume up to maximum to hear comfortably. Overall, the audio quality is adequate for daily use but not suitable for filling a large space.
Internal Hardware – Apple A19 Pro
The iPhone 17 Pro is equipped with the A19 Pro chip built using 3nm (N3P) technology. This chip is one of the most powerful ever used in an iPhone device. According to Apple, its performance is up to 40 percent better than the previous generation. In daily use, applications can be opened faster. Every task runs smoothly without any interruptions. In addition, artificial intelligence features such as Apple Intelligence also work almost instantly.
This year's model also offers basic internal storage starting at 256GB while the Pro Max version provides options up to 2TB. The unit I used is equipped with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. This combination provides very satisfactory performance and sufficient storage space for daily needs such as 4K video recording, photo editing, and the use of productivity applications.
In continuous use and heavy tasks, the performance of the iPhone 17 Pro is seen to be consistent. Like previous generations, the processor chip may experience a slight power throttling as temperatures rise, but the impact is minimal and does not affect overall smoothness. I was still able to run heavy apps and multitask smoothly without any hiccups.
The gaming experience was also very satisfying. The A19 Pro chip was able to run Honor of Kings (HOK) at a stable 60FPS frame rate on High and Ultra settings. In fact, it could consistently reach 120FPS on Max and Ultra settings. The frame rate drop only occurred slightly around 119FPS, but it did not significantly affect the gaming experience. Here is a brief comparison of the A19 Pro chip with other flagship chips:
AnTuTu 3D
Chip Score
Apple iPhone 17 Pro 2,634,345
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 1,747,012
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 1,542,966
Honor Magic V5 1,732,200
Oppo Find N5 2,157,718
Xiaomi 15 Ultra 2,341,598
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 1,946,864
Oppo Find X8 Pro 2,629,017
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 1,720,751
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL 1,214,735
Geekbench 6
Single Core Multi Core Chip
Apple iPhone 17 Pro 3560 8835
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 2745 9060
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 2236 7627
Honor Magic V5 1286 4926
Oppo Find N5 2866 7987
Xiaomi 15 Ultra 2918 8917
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 2957 9435
Oppo Fin X8 Pro 2663 8959
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 3359 8129
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL 2303 6134
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
Chip Score
Apple iPhone 17 Pro 5873
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 5633
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 5201
Honor Magic V5 6025
Oppo Find N5 5507
Xiaomi 15 Ultra N/A
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 6135
Oppo Find X8 Pro 6251
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 4560
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL 3266
Internal Software – iOS 26
Apple has launched iOS 26 as the main operating system for all the latest iPhone models. This update not only offers various technical improvements, but also brings a breath of fresh air to the iPhone ecosystem as a whole.
The Liquid Glass interface is one of the most prominent elements in iOS 26. Icons and screens now feature reflections and shimmering lights that move with the touch of a finger. It also automatically responds to dark and light modes. Based on my experience, this visual effect gives an interesting modern touch although it is a bit awkward to get used to at first.
Another interesting feature is Live Translation, which allows for live translation of conversations during FaceTime and regular calls. I have tried it a few times and although the translation is not completely accurate, it is still useful for understanding the basic context of the conversation. However, attempts during regular calls have not yet worked well and this feature is still labeled as Beta version.
In addition, there is also a Call Recording function that allows recordings of each conversation to be re-recorded and saved directly to the Notes app for later reference. The Genmoji and Image Playground functions also offer a fun experience. I can create emojis based on my own face or selected text, and the results are quite entertaining.
The Messages app has also received some useful improvements. Now I can conduct group polls and set the background of the conversation to my taste. Although these changes may seem small, they provide additional convenience in everyday communication.
In addition, when sharing a location via iMessage, the owner's location information will be displayed directly in the message content. It also shows the current location, distance and estimated travel time to the destination as long as the live location sharing option is enabled.
In iOS 26, Apple offers a new app called Games as the main hub for games on the iPhone. It brings together Apple Arcade and third-party games in one organized and easily accessible platform. Among the main features are the 'Home' tab that displays game recommendations and the 'Continue Playing' list, social integration such as recommendations from friends and a co-play mode through the 'Play Together' function.
Camera and Image Quality
Based on my experience using the iPhone 17 Pro's main camera, its performance was consistent in a variety of lighting and locations. While not completely outperforming competitors in the flagship category, the results offered were still satisfactory.
The optical zoom system of up to eight times allowed me to capture details well, but the image quality dropped when reaching the maximum zoom level. For daily use, I was more comfortable using four times zoom because the results were more stable and clear. This option is perfect for spontaneous daily shots and regular photos that do not require extreme detail.
Ultra-wide
8 times zoom
Ultra-wide
8 times zoom
Ultra-wide
8 times zoom
One feature that I found very helpful was Photography Styles. This function allows me to adjust the color tone of the image directly through the camera settings. With this option, I am free to adjust the colors according to the shooting atmosphere or personal taste. Styles such as Vivid, Rich Contrast, Warm and Cool make it easier for me to get more interesting photos that make additional editing no longer necessary.
The automatic transition to the macro lens was very fast, especially before the iOS 26.0.1 update. In some situations, I noticed the camera switching to macro mode without me noticing, which was a bit annoying when trying to take a normal photo. In terms of color, the shots tended to be warm-toned and sometimes overexposed. This effect made the contrast look a bit washed out, especially in bright environments.
When shooting in bright backlight conditions, I noticed an uneven color effect at the edges of the object. Fine colored lines sometimes appeared around the subject. While this effect was present, it was not too noticeable and was still acceptable in most situations.
As for the front camera, the Center Stage mode worked well. It was able to automatically detect and maintain the subject during video calls or recordings. As a result, the subject was in the frame with smooth movement and stable focus, even with drastic movement.
The portrait mode also provided a satisfactory experience. Its ability to separate the subject from the background was neat with the subject cropping looking neat in most shots. Although there was a slight weakness at the edges, especially when the subject was wearing small accessories such as glasses, this issue did not have a major impact on the overall quality of the image.
The bokeh effect produced looks natural and not exaggerated. Skin tones are balanced and stand out without showing excessive processing effects. The image quality produced is quite satisfactory and suitable for daily recording as well as producing high-quality portrait photos. Although there is some room for improvement in terms of subject separation accuracy in more complex situations, the overall performance of this portrait mode is still reliable.
Night mode works well in low light conditions. The images produced look clear, and the noise level is controlled even in challenging environments. Details can still be maintained as long as the lighting is within a stable range with balanced glare and contrast effects. This effect is more noticeable when the light source is outside the frame or causes high contrast. I also found that the best image quality can be produced by zooming in one or two times. Within this range, the camera is able to maintain a balance between sharpness and lighting without compromising important details.
Video recording shows good recording stability thanks to an effective image stabilization system. Recording quality in 4K resolution is also satisfactory. ProRes mode gives users the freedom to do detailed color editing, while the Dual Capture function allows simultaneous recording from two cameras without any time lag with consistent recording quality.
The AI-based editing function so far only supports Clean Up mode. The system's accuracy in identifying objects to be deleted is still less than satisfactory and sometimes does not work as expected. Although I can manually select areas, the edited results are not always neat and sometimes look uneven. It still needs improvement, especially in terms of image processing and subject recognition to produce more accurate edits.
The Open Gate function allows recording using all camera sensors, thus giving users the freedom to crop to 4:3 or 16:9 ratios during editing without affecting video quality. This feature can be accessed through Apple's Final Cut Camera app.
The Genlock function also supports simultaneous recording using multiple iPhone 17 Pro units in parallel. To activate it, users need to use the Final Cut Camera application with appropriate external storage. Additional devices such as the Blackmagic Camera ProDock are required to ensure stable and accurately synchronized recording.
Battery and Fast Charging
Apple no longer officially discloses battery capacity as usual. However, based on my experience using the iPhone 17 Pro, battery performance can be assessed through several different daily usage sessions.
In one usage session, I started charging the device at 10 am and used it until 12 midnight. During that period, the screen was active for 5 hours and 17 minutes while it was idle for 33 minutes. At the end of the day, the battery remained at only 2%, indicating a heavy usage pattern.
In another usage, I charged this device at 12 noon and used it until 7 pm. During that period, the screen was active for 5 hours and idle for 2 hours and 5 minutes. By the end of the day, the battery was still at 38%, indicating more efficient power management in moderate usage situations.
I also tried it in another usage, where the screen was active for 6 hours and 10 minutes with 2 hours of idle time and 2 hours of continuous screen on. The battery performance during this period showed a stable and reliable level of endurance for a variety of daily tasks.
This overall usage pattern shows that the iPhone 17 Pro is able to last a full day with moderate to heavy usage, depending on the type of activity, applications used, and screen brightness level. The battery performance is also convincing enough to meet daily needs.
*idle – refers to a state where the device is still active such as playing audio or running applications in the background but the screen is not fully lit.
Conclusion
The iPhone 17 Pro comes with a modern design and high-performance features. The Super Retina XDR OLED screen with Pro Motion provides a sharp display while the Liquid Glass interface in iOS 26 adds a more attractive touch effect.
The A19 Pro chip offers impressive speed and efficiency. Apps open quickly, tasks run smoothly, and Apple Intelligence features work instantly. The combination of 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage provides ample space and speed for heavy-duty tasks like photo editing, video recording, and multitasking.
The device's camera system has also been improved with a larger main sensor and support for professional recording such as Genlock and Open Gate. The results are sharper in a variety of lighting conditions, while video recording is more stable and suitable for content creators.
Who should buy it? iPhone 13, 12 or older users will experience significant improvements in performance, display, and new features such as Apple Intelligence. For iPhone 15 or 16 Pro users, the upgrade is only worth it if you need professional recording features or want full access to Apple Intelligence. Otherwise, the existing model is still powerful and suitable for everyday use.
Pro
Sharp and responsive Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion.
A19 Pro chip for smooth multitasking performance.
Built-in AI for smarter everyday tasks.
The main camera supports Genlock & Open Gate for professional recording.
Long-lasting battery life suitable for all-day use.
Cons
Clumsy design
Aluminum scratches easily compared to titanium
No significant improvements except for professional recording.
No significant improvements in AI features compared to the iPhone 16 series.
