Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Pro with Bold Unibody Redesign and Camera Plateau
Surprising no one, Apple has officially unveiled the new iPhone 17 series. The introduction of the new iPhone Air model has, according to CEO Tim Cook, allowed the company to make the Pro models the most Pro they have ever been. After a high-speed hands-on demo at Apple Park, the new design changes feel significant and intriguing.
The new Cosmic Orange color option immediately stands out, bearing a strong resemblance to the Action Button on the Apple Watch Ultra models. The overall look and feel of the iPhone 17 Pro is compelling, and the new camera plateau on the back is a change that feels fresh rather than off-putting.
This is not merely a superficial update. The unit handled, finished in orange, featured a matte texture with a soft touch feel that contrasts with the glossier iPhone 16 Pro. The blue color option also appears richer in person than in photos. Across all colors, the new aluminum frame and matte edges contribute to a sturdier, more substantial handfeel. This is a notable point for anyone who has experienced the damage from a drop onto a hard edge.
There is a slight tradeoff in the ultra-premium aesthetic of previous Pro models, but the potential gain in durability seems worthwhile. The back of the phone also incorporates Ceramic Shield on the paler camera plateau section, which should improve scratch resistance.
Despite the shift to a unibody design, the camera control button on the right side remains reasonably easy to locate and press, though it may require a short adjustment period for those accustomed to the previous model.
A major benefit of the redesign is intended to be improved battery life. By relocating many internal components into the new camera plateau, Apple has freed up space inside the main body for a larger battery. This, combined with the improved power efficiency of the new A19 Pro chip, is promised to deliver longer battery life for both the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
The camera plateau itself houses the new triple 48-megapixel Fusion camera system. During the demo, the camera viewfinder showed zoom options going up to 8x. A quick test of the zoom at Apple’s Observatory space provided a closer look at distant objects, though a full assessment of image quality will require more thorough testing. The camera app interface remains familiar but has been redesigned in iOS 26 to accommodate new features.
These new features include an updated Center Stage selfie camera that enables an auto-rotating aspect ratio and dual-camera video capture. Accessing these new modes requires tapping buttons near the top of the screen, a layout that is not immediately intuitive but will likely become second nature with use.
Many of the other touted improvements were not possible to verify in a brief demo. The performance claims of the A19 Pro chip, the effectiveness of the new vapor chamber for thermal management, and the real-world battery life gains will require extensive review testing. Questions about the impact of the redesign on call performance and device repairability also remain for later exploration.
While the new look and colors of the iPhone 17 Pro are appealing, the extreme thinness of the new iPhone Air is also a seductive proposition. The iPhone Air features slightly more rounded edges compared to some competing ultra-thin models, marking a distinct design choice from Apple.
