Apple has unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, introducing a new design and enhancements in performance, camera systems, and battery life.
Design and performance
The iPhone 17 Pro series is crafted from a lightweight 7000-series aluminium alloy, forming a unibody design that is both strong and thermally efficient. An Apple-designed vapour chamber is sealed inside the aluminium chassis to aid in heat dissipation for the new A19 Pro chip. According to the company, the vapour chamber enables higher sustained performance by moving heat away from internal components and distributing it through the forged aluminium unibody, allowing the device to remain comfortable in hand while managing power and surface temperatures.
The new design also incorporates more capacity for a larger battery. Combined with the power efficiency of the A19 Pro chip and updated power management in iOS 26, the iPhone 17 Pro Max represents Apple’s best battery life to date. Both models offer the capability to charge up to 50 per cent in 20 minutes with an optional high-wattage USB-C power adapter.
“iPhone 17 Pro is by far the most powerful iPhone we’ve ever made, with a stunning new design rebuilt from the inside out to maximise performance and deliver an enormous leap in battery life,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. “With three 48MP Fusion cameras, a new Centre Stage front camera experience, and pro-level video features, the creative opportunities are endless. iPhone 17 Pro sets a new standard for the smartphone industry and is a massive upgrade for our most demanding users.”
Display and durability
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature Super Retina XDR displays measuring 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches diagonally. The display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, a material described as offering three times the scratch resistance compared to previous models, with an anti-reflective coating for reduced glare. The phones also feature up to 3000 nits of peak outdoor brightness and improved contrast. For the first time, Ceramic Shield extends to the back surface of the devices, claiming four times better resistance to cracks than prior glass backs.
A19 Pro chip and wireless enhancements
The A19 Pro chip supports up to 40 per cent improved sustained performance over its predecessor, making it suitable for applications such as gaming and video editing. The chip features a 6-core CPU and GPU, including Neural Accelerators in each GPU core and additional memory. Apple states that the A19 Pro also collaborates with a 16-core Neural Engine, supporting advanced AI models, graphics, and gaming features including hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Wireless performance is further upgraded with the debut of the N1 chip, enabling Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, with improvements in reliability for features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
Camera system and creative tools
The iPhone 17 Pro series includes three 48MP Fusion cameras: Main, Ultra Wide, and an upgraded Telephoto. The new 48MP Telephoto lens offers a next-generation tetraprism design, with a sensor 56 per cent larger than previously, and supports up to 8x optical zoom at 200mm. The image pipeline is enhanced via the updated Photonic Engine, leveraging more machine learning to reduce noise, preserve natural details, and improve colour accuracy.
For the front camera, a new 18MP Centre Stage sensor provides a wider field of view and allows taking photos and video in either orientation while holding the device vertically. AI-powered features automatically expand the field of view for group selfies and enable ultra-stabilised video in 4K HDR, as well as Dual Capture for simultaneous front and rear recording.
Video and software updates
Video capabilities are expanded with industry features such as Dolby Vision HDR, 4K at 120fps, and, for the first time on a smartphone, support for ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, and genlock. These features allow for synchronising video across multiple cameras, benefitting professional production workflows. The genlock feature is supported by the new Blackmagic Design Camera ProDock, with developer APIs available.
The devices ship with iOS 26, offering a redesigned interface, new Apple Intelligence capabilities, and enhancements to everyday apps. Features include Live Translation in select languages across Messages, FaceTime, and Phone; visual intelligence for searching or acting on-screen content; and new tools in CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, Wallet, and a new Apple Games app.
Accessories and environmental considerations
The iPhone 17 Pro range introduces accessories such as the TechWoven Case in five colours, a Clear Case, and a Silicone Case in six colours, along with a Crossbody Strap made from recycled yarn. Storage options now extend up to 2TB for Pro Max models. Paper packaging is 100 per cent fibre-based and recyclable.
Apple has noted their ongoing commitment to environmental goals, indicating the new models are made with 30 per cent recycled content, including fully recycled cobalt in batteries and recycled gold plating in printed circuit boards. Both models use 40 per cent renewable electricity in manufacturing and are designed for durability, repairability, and energy efficiency.
Pricing and availability
iPhone 17 Pro is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities, with a starting price of AUD $1,999. The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at AUD $2,199 and is also available in a 2TB option. Colour choices include cosmic orange, deep blue, and silver. The TechWoven Case is priced at AUD $99, the Clear Case at AUD $79, and the Crossbody Strap at AUD $99. The FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe is available for AUD $99 and the Qi2 25W MagSafe Charger is priced at AUD $69 for 1-metre and AUD $89 for 2-metre lengths.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will begin this week, with availability from next week in over 63 countries and regions including Australia, the UK, the United States, and others. Additional countries will see availability from the following week. iOS 26 will be released as a free software update in mid-September, with Apple Intelligence features becoming available in several languages initially, and further language support by year-end.
Roadside Assistance via satellite for iPhone will become available in Australia, enabling users to contact national motoring clubs when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Free access to satellite features will be extended for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users who activated their devices in supported countries prior to the announcement.
Apple is also extending introductory offers for new subscriptions to Apple Arcade, Fitness+, Music, News+, and TV+, giving three months of access to eligible iPhone purchasers.
