As someone who’s been reviewing iPhones since the 6s era, I honestly didn’t expect much from Apple’s 2024 lineup. But the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro turned out to be full of surprises. Apple has finally given the base model some long-awaited upgrades, while the Pro version continues to double down on creative power and professional tools.
If you’re wondering which one is worth your money, here’s a detailed hands-on comparison that’ll help you make the right call.
Design & Display: The Gap Is Narrowing
Build Quality & Materials
The iPhone 17 sticks with an aluminum frame and glass back, but now features the new Ceramic Shield 2 on the front — and it’s tough. I scratched it with a keychain by accident, and it stayed spotless. Apple claims it’s three times more scratch-resistant than before, and that feels accurate. Still, the glass back can chip if dropped, so a case is recommended.
The iPhone 17 Pro, meanwhile, ditches last year’s titanium for forged aluminum, which is lighter but still strong. Both sides use the same Ceramic Shield 2 glass, but I did notice one issue: the painted area around the camera tends to scuff easily. If you care about resale value or aesthetics, don’t skip a case.
Size & Handling
Both phones feel great in hand, but there’s a noticeable weight difference:
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iPhone 17 – 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm, 177 g
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iPhone 17 Pro – 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm, 206 g
Despite being heavier, the Pro feels more solid — that “premium heft” you expect from a high-end device.
Display: 120Hz Finally Comes to the Base Model
This is the biggest upgrade for the regular iPhone 17. Apple finally brought 120Hz ProMotion and LTPO adaptive refresh down to the base model. Scrolling Instagram or playing Genshin Impact feels buttery smooth, and the experience is nearly identical to the Pro.
Both phones feature 6.3-inch OLED displays (2622×1206, 460ppi) with a stunning 3,000 nits peak brightness — a massive jump from last year’s 2,000 nits. Outdoors, they’re crystal clear under direct sunlight.
Lab tests show the Pro model is slightly brighter (2780 vs. 2672 nits) and dimmer at low light (0.9 vs. 1.5 nits), but in real life, you’ll barely notice the difference. Both have 7-layer anti-reflective coatings, much better than the iPhone 16 — though still behind Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Performance: Pro Power for Demanding Users
Both phones run on Apple’s latest 3nm chipsets, but the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro is clearly tuned for power users.
Chipset & Cooling
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iPhone 17 (A19): 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency) and 5-core GPU. It handles daily tasks, social media, and light gaming effortlessly. Editing a 10-minute 4K clip in iMovie caused only minor lag.
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iPhone 17 Pro (A19 Pro): Adds an extra GPU core and a vapor chamber cooling system, keeping performance stable under load. I played Resident Evil 4 for 45 minutes and it stayed cool, maintaining around 50fps. The base model dropped to 35fps after 20 minutes due to throttling.
RAM & Storage
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iPhone 17: 8GB RAM, 256GB–512GB storage
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iPhone 17 Pro: 12GB RAM, 256GB–1TB storage
The extra memory makes multitasking smoother on the Pro. I had 15 apps open and switched between them instantly.
USB-C Speeds Matter
Here’s one big difference:
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iPhone 17 uses USB 2.0, transferring a 40GB ProRes video took ~15 minutes.
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iPhone 17 Pro supports USB 3.0 (10Gbps) — same file in just 2 minutes.
If you work with large video files or external SSDs, this alone could justify upgrading to the Pro.
Camera: Pro Is Built for Creators
Main & Ultra-Wide
The iPhone 17 packs two 48MP cameras (main + ultra-wide) with solid detail and improved macro shots.
The iPhone 17 Pro adds a third 48MP periscope telephoto lens, offering 4x optical and 8x hybrid zoom. Shooting distant architecture or portraits is far sharper compared to the base model’s digital zoom.
Selfies & Portraits
Both use new 18MP front cameras with Center Stage auto-framing, great for group shots. The Pro captures better low-light selfies thanks to a larger sensor and less noise.
Video Recording
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iPhone 17: 4K 60fps, Dolby Vision, and Cinematic Mode.
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iPhone 17 Pro: Adds ProRes RAW, Apple Log, and 4K 120fps ProRes for advanced creators.
If you color-grade footage in Final Cut Pro, you’ll appreciate the flexibility of Apple Log. The base model simply can’t match this pro-level control.
Battery Life & Charging: Reliable All-Day Power
Apple’s new stacked battery design really pays off this year.
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iPhone 17: ~3692mAh — 16h47m web browsing, 7h19m YouTube.
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iPhone 17 Pro: Up to 4252mAh — 17h+ browsing, 8h+ streaming.
Both support 40W wired charging (50% in 20 minutes) and 25W wireless charging. The good news: Qi2 chargers now match MagSafe speeds, finally! Sadly, reverse wireless charging is still missing.
Buy Guide: Which iPhone 17 Should You Choose?
💡 Buy the iPhone 17 if you:
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Want a premium experience without the Pro price tag;
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Don’t need pro-level camera tools;
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Mainly browse, stream, or play casual games;
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Prefer a lighter phone (177g) and can live with USB 2.0 speeds.
🔥 Buy the iPhone 17 Pro if you:
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Are a content creator, photographer, or power user;
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Need fast file transfers (USB 3.0) or up to 1TB storage;
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Frequently shoot zoom or low-light videos;
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Demand consistent high performance and better cooling.
Final Verdict: Balanced vs. Professional
Apple finally made the standard iPhone powerful enough for most users. The iPhone 17 covers nearly every need, starting at $799 (256GB) — a great deal considering the upgrades.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro ($999) remains the top choice for professionals who rely on advanced camera features or demanding apps.
For my daily use, I’d go with the regular iPhone 17 — it’s lighter, cheaper, and more than capable. But for filmmaking or long editing sessions, I’d reach for the Pro in that stunning orange finish.
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