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iPhone 17 Pro Why do YOU buy a iPhone pro?
- Thread starter gomakoto
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Battery life and hardware for speed. The cameras are nice and all but I only use them for rudimentary image making as a make a living with my Nikon, Leica and Hasselblad cameras and you just can’t touch those with phone cameras.
One area that now has parity is the storage though, I get the one with 1TB for extensive mapping software. The Air has it now so I was tempted but the dimensions of the phone are a bit too big.
One area that now has parity is the storage though, I get the one with 1TB for extensive mapping software. The Air has it now so I was tempted but the dimensions of the phone are a bit too big.
I used to go for the pro for the battery life. The extra cameras were a bonus. But I stayed for the lidar, I use that feature quite a bit for my work.
I’m going with the air the next round because the battery life is the same as my 16 pro, 95% of my pictures are just using the regular 1x camera. My biggest question mark will be the LiDAR, I’m keeping my 16 pro to use for work. But learning to see if I can manage without it.
I’m going with the air the next round because the battery life is the same as my 16 pro, 95% of my pictures are just using the regular 1x camera. My biggest question mark will be the LiDAR, I’m keeping my 16 pro to use for work. But learning to see if I can manage without it.
I always get a Pro (always the Max) for the cameras. This year I couldn't decide between the Pro and Pro Max, so I ordered both and will return the one I don't want. I've lost a lot of weight, and the larger phone just feels too big for my pockets now. Given the cameras are the same and the Pro now gets roughly the battery life that the iPhone 16 PM got, I will likely keep the smaller one. But we'll see.
If I look back on all the iPhone purchases I’ve made and why I chose one iPhone or another, my reasoning is always the same: I want the most features. I just have a very hard time spending the money to upgrade and then knowing there is an iPhone other there with more features. I was extremely interested in the Mini and loved the form factor, but knew I’d regret it in 6 months with the battery life, 60Hz and dimmer display, and no telephoto.
For this time around, the Pros exactly target my biggest complaints about my existing 15PM: thermals and battery. I also have been wanting saturated colors and a redesign of some sort. The fact that Apple didn’t just do cosmetic changes but actually redesigned it with the performance in mind is really exciting to me. I’m also the type of person to get excited about faster and more efficient chips (A19 Pro, cellular modem, and Apple’s WiFi/Bluetooth/Thread chip), so this stuff just interests me where most people don’t care.
Finally, the way I feel about the Pro redesign versus the Air reminds me of how I feel about the Watch Ultra vs standard Series models. A lot of people consider the iPhone Air and Series watches to be a lot prettier, but I like the more drastic redesign and chunky/aggressive look to the iPhone Pro and Watch Ultra. The pretty jewelry look is the design we’ve had for what feels like a decade.
For this time around, the Pros exactly target my biggest complaints about my existing 15PM: thermals and battery. I also have been wanting saturated colors and a redesign of some sort. The fact that Apple didn’t just do cosmetic changes but actually redesigned it with the performance in mind is really exciting to me. I’m also the type of person to get excited about faster and more efficient chips (A19 Pro, cellular modem, and Apple’s WiFi/Bluetooth/Thread chip), so this stuff just interests me where most people don’t care.
Finally, the way I feel about the Pro redesign versus the Air reminds me of how I feel about the Watch Ultra vs standard Series models. A lot of people consider the iPhone Air and Series watches to be a lot prettier, but I like the more drastic redesign and chunky/aggressive look to the iPhone Pro and Watch Ultra. The pretty jewelry look is the design we’ve had for what feels like a decade.
Its a slippery slope (16 pro max).
- i wanted a small phone but apple doesn't make one any more
- given i can't have a small phone (and forced into phones that need two hands to use) i may as well get a larger phone for better battery life
- This put me in 16 plus territory
- i wanted 256 GB of storage
- I had a slight preference to have a lidar sensor for 3d scanning
- slight preference to get 120hz if possible
- There was a deal at my local retailer on the 16 pro max for something like $200 AU off.
Once you get to 16 plus and 256 GB the price was almost to the level of 16 pro max and i got titanium construction, lidar, extra camera lens, etc. I'd rather spend the 25% more to not have regrets about spending most of the money to miss out on things i wanted anyway
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Went for a 17 Pro.
I absolutely love the look of the Air, it looks more premium than the Pro, has better materials, is lighter, and much better colour choices. The battery life looks more than enough for my usage.
But the camera is what did it.
I need a decent camera system on my phone for projects and the Pro cameras offer so much more. The single camera on the Air is the one design part I didn't like too, it makes it look like a lower end model with just the single lens (reminds me of the iPhone XR).
If I didn't care about cameras, I'd have gone with the Air, 100%.
I absolutely love the look of the Air, it looks more premium than the Pro, has better materials, is lighter, and much better colour choices. The battery life looks more than enough for my usage.
But the camera is what did it.
I need a decent camera system on my phone for projects and the Pro cameras offer so much more. The single camera on the Air is the one design part I didn't like too, it makes it look like a lower end model with just the single lens (reminds me of the iPhone XR).
If I didn't care about cameras, I'd have gone with the Air, 100%.
I want the best iPhone available.
The best cameras, performance (fastest processor/most RAM), battery life, and biggest screen size. I absolutely refuse to move down to a tiny screen at 6.3" or 6.5". 6.7" feels small to me as it is. 6.9" screen will be nice even if it's not a big step up but I'll take whatever I can get. I hope eventually we get a 7.1-7.3" screen at some point!!
I don't care about how thin a phone is. I prefer extra battery life.
Whenever the folding iPhone comes out I'll probably stick to Pro phones because there is no way I'm using a phone with a screen that gets scratched easily. So unless Apple can create folding glass then I'm not interested. I like the concept of a folding phone but I'm not using a phone with a soft plastic screen.
The best cameras, performance (fastest processor/most RAM), battery life, and biggest screen size. I absolutely refuse to move down to a tiny screen at 6.3" or 6.5". 6.7" feels small to me as it is. 6.9" screen will be nice even if it's not a big step up but I'll take whatever I can get. I hope eventually we get a 7.1-7.3" screen at some point!!
I don't care about how thin a phone is. I prefer extra battery life.
Whenever the folding iPhone comes out I'll probably stick to Pro phones because there is no way I'm using a phone with a screen that gets scratched easily. So unless Apple can create folding glass then I'm not interested. I like the concept of a folding phone but I'm not using a phone with a soft plastic screen.
I stick with the Pro for the cameras. I have a dedicated mirrorless camera for astrophotography and wildlife photography. But I take probably 90% of my family pictures on my iPhone since it’s always in my pocket. So I want it to have the best camera system possible. It’s as simple as that.
All that being said, had Apple put the same 1x sensor and stabilization from the Pro into the Air, I might have considered it. After all, the 1x sensor on the Pro is so noticeably better quality than the other lenses that I always try to use it anyway. And I waaaaant the design of the Air in a way I haven’t lusted after an iPhone in years. But the 1x camera being a downgrade from the Pro and losing the other lenses is just a bridge too far. Sticking with the Pro this year but that Air is a very good looking phone.
All that being said, had Apple put the same 1x sensor and stabilization from the Pro into the Air, I might have considered it. After all, the 1x sensor on the Pro is so noticeably better quality than the other lenses that I always try to use it anyway. And I waaaaant the design of the Air in a way I haven’t lusted after an iPhone in years. But the 1x camera being a downgrade from the Pro and losing the other lenses is just a bridge too far. Sticking with the Pro this year but that Air is a very good looking phone.
Bigger battery & Better Cameras, the larger screen is an added benefit.
I didn't chose the Air for those same reasons poorer battery, single camera, the C1X chip so no mmWave plus I have no desire for a thin phone I had the 6S+ and spent the entire time thinking I was going to snap the thing in two and the rounded edges I found uncomfortable to hold with less grip strength than the square edges.
I didn't chose the Air for those same reasons poorer battery, single camera, the C1X chip so no mmWave plus I have no desire for a thin phone I had the 6S+ and spent the entire time thinking I was going to snap the thing in two and the rounded edges I found uncomfortable to hold with less grip strength than the square edges.
I didn’t pre-order the X but I did wait in line on launch day to buy it. This is my first time buying a Pro and got the PM. Hope I don’t regret getting the larger one definitely wanted the larger screen this time around along with the extra perks.
In previous years it's been because of the cameras and 120 Hz screen. This year I would've gone for the Air by default since I love that 6.5" screen size and its design, but I was brought back to the Pro with its macro/telephoto capability, larger main camera sensor size, longer battery life, dual speakers, and the new thermal solution.
I am really torn between the 17, Air and Pro. I am not a yearly upgrader. I preordered the Cosmic Orange 17 Pro.
Base 17: All the features I need except it’s missing telephoto (and slightly worse camera sensor), all while saving $300 vs the Pro
Air: Thin, light, new design. Compromised battery, cameras, single speaker.
Pro: 3 good cameras. Design is meh. Love the 3 colors. Heavier than the other models. The battery will last at least 3 years.
I am debating cancelling my preorder and riding out another year with my 14 Pro.
Base 17: All the features I need except it’s missing telephoto (and slightly worse camera sensor), all while saving $300 vs the Pro
Air: Thin, light, new design. Compromised battery, cameras, single speaker.
Pro: 3 good cameras. Design is meh. Love the 3 colors. Heavier than the other models. The battery will last at least 3 years.
I am debating cancelling my preorder and riding out another year with my 14 Pro.
Blue 17 pro (not max) on pre-order. Camera and physical dimensions, in that order. I had a 12 pro max at one time and it was too large for me, so I changed it for a 14 pro.
Battery life and cameras. I use wide angle, macro and telephoto a lot and any phone without them would be too much of a compromise for me. I want a battery that easily makes it through the day with plenty to spare, I don't want to deal with carrying power banks around with me or having to search for chargers if I'm not near one.
I don't care one bit about weight, an ounce or two either direction makes zero difference to me. Processor and cooling aren't worth consideration for my uses - I don't game on my phone, I'm not trying to shoot Hollywood productions in 4K Pro-Res, and I'm not running complex 3D rendering apps. Any of the modern iPhone processors are plenty powerful enough to suit my needs.
The Air would probably suit most of my needs just fine, but the lack of camera features is what makes it a no go for me. Being thinner and lighter are non-factors as I don't care about either of those. The jury is still out as far as the single speaker, I'd have to hear it in person to decide if it was worth consideration. I use AirPods Pro or a bluetooth speaker for most of my listening, so I'm not sure it would make much difference to me.
I don't care one bit about weight, an ounce or two either direction makes zero difference to me. Processor and cooling aren't worth consideration for my uses - I don't game on my phone, I'm not trying to shoot Hollywood productions in 4K Pro-Res, and I'm not running complex 3D rendering apps. Any of the modern iPhone processors are plenty powerful enough to suit my needs.
The Air would probably suit most of my needs just fine, but the lack of camera features is what makes it a no go for me. Being thinner and lighter are non-factors as I don't care about either of those. The jury is still out as far as the single speaker, I'd have to hear it in person to decide if it was worth consideration. I use AirPods Pro or a bluetooth speaker for most of my listening, so I'm not sure it would make much difference to me.
The models this year are so close spec wise. I’m buying pro for the color. Orange. Maybe the optical zoom too.