iPhone 17 Pro: Is it worth it or not? The five "yeses" and five "no's"

July 11, 2025

Apple plans to introduce the iPhone 17 series in September, with the iPhone 17 Pro featuring a redesigned rear panel and redesigned camera system.

However, the most radical changes are expected next year with the arrival of the iPhone 18. Before you upgrade this year, take note of the rumored features said to be built into the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the foldable iPhone rumored for 2026.

Here are 5 reasons to say <> to iPhone 17 and 5 reasons to say <>!

The 5 most convincing "yeses" to iPhone 17 Pro

Greater battery capacity: Rumors want the iPhone 17 Pro Max to adopt a slightly thicker frame, allowing for a significantly larger battery.
24 MP selfie camera: All iPhone 17s are rumored to be equipped with an updated 24-megapixel front-facing camera, while the iPhone 16 series has a 12-megapixel sensor in the same location.
12 GB memory: The first reports wanted the 12 GB RAM to be an exclusive privilege of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but then it was said that the iPhone 17 Pro will also receive it. The extra memory is expected to boost Apple Intelligence performance and multitasking. For comparison, all iPhone 16 models are limited to 8 GB of RAM.
Upgraded cooling: All iPhone 17s are said to feature a redesigned interior that removes heat more efficiently, while Pro models are said to incorporate a steam chamber cooling system.
48 MP lens on the back: The iPhone 17 Pro is rumoured to feature a revamped 48-megapixel telephoto lens, as opposed to the 12 MP telephoto lens of the iPhone 16 Pro.

The 5 most convincing (and documented) "no's" to the iPhone 17 Pro

The "truly full" screen is coming next year
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to move Face ID below the screen, further reducing (or perhaps eliminating) Dynamic Island. If your biggest dream is an iPhone without "holes," the 17 Pro doesn't offer it - and in just a few months it will already look old.
The fastest and cheapest 5G modem will be missing
Apple's new C2 internal modem, with mmWave support in the US and better energy efficiency, premieres on iPhone 18 Pro. The 17 Pro will stick to C1 (or Qualcomm), so you'll get... yesterday's speeds and possibly less range.
Big performance & AI leap in 2026, not now
This year's A19 Pro (3 nm) is just an evolution. The A20 Pro (+ CoWoS packaging) for 2026 promises a more substantial boost - especially in Apple Intelligence tasks. Anyone who keeps the same phone for more than two years might prefer to wait.
Real camera upgrades are delayed
Samsung's three-layer sensor and rumours of a variable aperture will arrive in future Pro/Pro Max. The 17 Pro sticks to marginally improved hardware (48 MP telephoto & 24 MP selfie), so photographers have every reason to wait.
The big "form-factor" shock comes with the foldable
If you want something really new, leaks point to first foldable iPhone for fall 2026. Combined with the super-thin iPhone Air, this year's 17 Pro risks looking... conservative in just a year.

Although the new cameras, A19 Pro chip and 12 GB RAM may seem attractive, the absence of substantial innovations (such as anti-reflective screen or spatial video), controversial design changes and the no-guarantee price make the iPhone 17 Pro an option that deserves attention before you invest.