Video: iPhone 17 Pro Long Term Review

[MacRumors]

It's been four months since Apple launched the new iPhone 17 models, and MacRumors' videographer Dan Barbera has an updated review with his thoughts on the iPhone 17 Pro after getting to spend a good chunk of time with it.

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Dan covers how the new aluminum frame has held up, whether the updated display has been as resistant to scratching as promised, the usefulness of the upgraded front-facing camera, and what he thinks of the performance with the new vapor chamber cooling system.

Article Link: Video: iPhone 17 Pro Long Term Review

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

i am very unhappy with the camera

 

[TSE]

I do agree with your co-host that it's ugly relatively to other iPhones. Peak iPhone design was iPhone 5S/SE.

 

[indefinite]

i am very unhappy with the camera

the 48 MP telephoto lens...

 

[newyorksole]

bruh. I take great great of all of my electronics, especially my iPhone… this screen is scratched to HELL tho.

it’s been this way since like October. no drops, no sliding across tables, no pocket with my keys…

idk how this thing has gotten so scratched/scuffed. otherwise, it’s fine.

 

[carrrrrlos]

In what world is 4 months a long term review? How about just titling it '4 month review'?

 

[DrRadon]

i am very unhappy with the camera

I am not sure how to use it properly to be honest. The images in the video look great. When I am at a soccer game I can’t seem to get anything near as crisp. The zoom is impressive but the shot just is not as smooth. Low light performance is not at the level I would love to have it at, during bright lights it can do a lot of good work.

 

[DrRadon]

In what world is 4 months a long term review? How about just titling it '4 month review'?

In a world where 4 month is 1/3 of the way down to the next new one.

 

[Skyuser]

Have had a silver Pro since day 1 minus some logistic delays. Best phone I've ever had. No complaints.

 

[carrrrrlos]

In a world where 4 month is 1/3 of the way down to the next new one.

I understand the product cycle - it’s not a long term review by any means. And even w/ the '1/3 of the way' logic, it is still not even be a mid-term review. If the 17Pro was on, lets say the next OS - or some OS it wasn’t launched with, then sure, it becomes intereseting to see how it ages/holds up. It’s just a puff piece. I guess we’ll have to wait another couple months for the Long long term review.

 

[kppolich]

Wish it came in a mini....thing is just too big.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Have had a silver Pro since day 1 minus some logistic delays. Best phone I've ever had. No complaints.

Silver Pro Max (my first Max). Best iPhone I've owned to date (and I've owned every series except the 8 and been on Pros since their debut).

 

[svish]

Good video. I have the 17 Pro Max in Orange. A wonderful iPhone. Very happy with the increased zoom. Also the upgrade to the front camera is great. Happy with the battery life. Overall a great iPhone. Hope that Apple will have at least one bright color like the orange every year.

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

iOS 26 has ruined the experience completely. iPhone 16 Pro on iOS 18 was a much more solid and happier experience.

 

[Astuces iOS]

the 48 MP telephoto lens...

Just got a real telephoto cause the iPhone 17 pro camera really sucks !

 

[Delivered]

I am not sure how to use it properly to be honest. The images in the video look great. When I am at a soccer game I can’t seem to get anything near as crisp. The zoom is impressive but the shot just is not as smooth. Low light performance is not at the level I would love to have it at, during bright lights it can do a lot of good work.

You can get better photos just screen grabbing video sometimes. It’s weird. Sometime I take a photo and think wow perfect then the processing kicks in and it turns to worse. Turning off all processes and doing raw also doesn’t look that great. I can’t tell if we are spoiled now or if it’s nostalgia but I thought it was better before but prob not.

 

[SFjohn]

My iPhone 17 Pro Max in blue has been fantastic. It’s still like the day I bought it & I love it the black leather case from Nomad. Not a scratch, bump, ding anywhere & I absolutely love the cameras on it. This will likely last me for 4 years like my previous 13 Pro Max did. 👍🏻

 

[darngooddesign]

I do agree with your co-host that it's ugly relatively to other iPhones. Peak iPhone design was iPhone 5S/SE.

I remember when people thought the glass top and bottom on the 5/5S were ugly.

 

[zenmacx]

It’s just a puff piece.

Yes that’s a perfect description.

Make no mistake, I enjoy and appreciate MacRumors, but this just sounds like an advertisement for Apple.

 

[zenmacx]

iOS 26 has ruined the experience completely. iPhone 16 Pro on iOS 18 was a much more solid and happier experience.

Absolutely right.

My Titanium iPhone 16 Pro Max was wonderful until it was “upgraded” to iOS 26.2.

It was a stroke of genius on Apples part to go cheap with materials for iPhone 17 reverting back to soft malleable aluminum. Increasing profits is Apples true expertise.

Apple has worked long and hard at mastering the art of influencing and manipulating their customers and it’s paid off handsomely. Now they can get by with anything and the customers just accept it and pay the premium price no questions asked.

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

If you want sick photo you buy Sony Experia 1 mark VII

 

[code-m]

Absolutely right.

My Titanium iPhone 16 Pro Max was wonderful until it was “upgraded” to iOS 26.2.

It was a stroke of genius on Apples part to go cheap with materials for iPhone 17 reverting back to soft malleable aluminum. Increasing profits is Apples true expertise.

Apple has worked long and hard at mastering the art of influencing and manipulating their customers and it’s paid off handsomely. Now they can get by with anything and the customers just accept it and pay the premium price no questions asked.

Since titanium is a more premium material than aluminum then my iPhone 16 Pro is the love child of an iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air with a dash of terminator timeline where the child is born before the parents. 😝

 

[BitBLT]

I like everything but the weight. I am still hoping for some kind of air phone with zoom/wide lenses.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

i am very unhappy with the camera

Yup, I’m super unhappy with it too. It’s competent hardware just absolutely gimped with garbage software. I’ve never felt like I’ve downgraded when getting a new iPhone.

However, I have found a great camera app called No Fusion, it gets rid of the AI / ML nonsense being applied, and gives a far better photo than any out of the default camera app.

 

[kuck]

Nothing of this phone makes me want to upgrade to it. I am still on an iPhone XS and just replaced the battery for the first time. I am happy with it and won't upgrade until Apple offers a true AI companion on the phone itself, ideally has a foldable version of the iphone (then i can ditch my ipad mini) and adopts solid state batteries for longer battery life.