Both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro are nearly identical in dimensions, with only a slight difference in thickness, the Pro being marginally thicker. The key distinction is weight: the iPhone 17 weighs 177g, while the Pro is noticeably heavier at 206g.

Both models now feature aluminum frames instead of aluminum versus titanium as in past generations. The iPhone 17 retains its familiar glass back, while the Pro features a new rear module design. Its wide aluminum camera housing spans the entire back width, contributing to the extra weight.

Ceramic Shield 2 protects both devices on the front, tripling scratch resistance and reducing reflections. The Pro’s rear panel also integrates Ceramic Shield, improving shatter resistance fourfold compared to standard glass.

Display

For the first time, the standard iPhone matches its Pro counterpart. Both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro come with a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, always-on, with a resolution of 2,622 x 1,206 pixels and 460 ppi.

Apple has also extended ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate to the regular iPhone 17. Brightness peaks at 1,000 nits typically, 1,600 nits in HDR, and 3,000 nits outdoors. Both support True Tone, P3 wide color, and Haptic Touch.

This means buyers will not have to choose the Pro for display quality - the iPhone 17 is already on par.

Cameras

Here the differences are most pronounced.

The iPhone 17 sports a dual 48MP Fusion camera setup:

Main: 48MP f/1.6 with Sensor Shift OIS and 2x optical-quality zoom via cropping
Ultra-wide: 48MP f/2.2, 120° field of view
The iPhone 17 Pro, however, includes a triple-lens system:

Main: 48MP f/1.78
Ultra-wide: 48MP f/2.2

Telephoto: 48MP f/2.8 Tetraprism lens with 4x optical zoom, extendable to 8x (12MP) with sensor cropping

Zoom range is a key factor: the iPhone 17 offers 4x optical and 10x digital zoom, while the Pro reaches 8x optical and 40x digital zoom.

Both phones benefit from Apple’s latest imaging technology: Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, Night Mode, Macro Mode, Portrait Mode, and Spatial Photos. However, the Pro stands out with ProRAW photo support.

Video capabilities also differ:

iPhone 17: 4K Dolby Vision up to 60fps, Cinematic Mode 30fps, slo-mo 1080p 240fps
iPhone 17 Pro: 4K Dolby Vision up to 120fps, Cinematic Mode 60fps, ProRes, ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, Genlock, and 4K Dolby Vision slo-mo at 120fps

Both models share a new 18MP front camera with Center Stage, Portrait Mode, and 4K Dolby Vision 60fps, though only the Pro offers ProRes video recording.

Performance and cooling

Both are powered by the A19 chip, but the Pro uses the A19 Pro variant.

iPhone 17: 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU
iPhone 17 Pro: 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU with vapor chamber cooling, improving sustained performance by up to 40% - a crucial feature for gamers and heavy users.

Connectivity

Both models include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Ultra Wideband Gen 2, NFC, 5G (mmWave and sub-6GHz), LTE Gigabit, and satellite-based SOS features.

The major difference: the iPhone 17 Pro comes with USB-C 3.0, while the iPhone 17 sticks to USB 2.0. For most users, this won’t matter - but for photographers and videographers, fast data transfers are vital.

Battery and charging

Despite similar size, the Pro lasts longer:

iPhone 17 Pro: up to 33 hours video playback, 30 hours streaming
iPhone 17: 30 hours video playback, 27 hours streaming
Both support 40W fast charging (50% in 20 minutes via USB-C) and MagSafe 30W wireless charging.

Other features

Both are IP68 water-resistant (up to 6m for 30 minutes), feature Crash Detection, Action Button, and Camera Control.

Storage, colors, and pricing

iPhone 17: 256GB ($799), 512GB ($999)
Colors: Lavender Purple, Aqua Green, Misty Blue, White, Black
iPhone 17 Pro: 256GB ($1,099), 512GB ($1,299), 1TB ($1,499)
Colors: Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, Silver

Verdict

The iPhone 17 is a significant step forward, especially with its ProMotion display and improved battery life. At $799, it’s a strong choice for most users.

However, the iPhone 17 Pro justifies its $300 premium for professionals or enthusiasts, thanks to its superior telephoto lens, ProRAW and ProRes support, faster USB-C transfer speeds, and advanced cooling system.

For casual users, the iPhone 17 is more than enough. But for those seeking the full high-end Apple experience, the iPhone 17 Pro is the answer.

Hai Phong