Should you upgrade to an iPhone 17 Pro from last year’s model? I am – here’s why

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Apple just launched its iPhone 17 Pro. 
• The new model includes some enticing upgrades. 
• I have had the 16 Pro for one year, and might trade it in. 

While most people choose to wait several years before upgrading their iPhones, that’s a bit more challenging for tech aficionados like myself. I really wanted to hold out on upgrading my daily driver, the iPhone 16 Pro, but after watching the launch event and learning about the newest iPhone 17 Pro release in specs, I am nearly convinced to make the upgrade. 

Also: Apple iPhone 17 event recap: iPhone Air preorders, Apple Watch 11, AirPods Pro 3, more

While the flashiest announcement from this week’s product launch is the highly anticipated iPhone Air, the company’s lightest and thinnest phone to date, the iPhone 17 Pro got some significant upgrades that make it one to watch. With a refreshed design, bold colors, and under-the-hood upgrades, it is one of the most capable iPhone models to date. 

Here are the three major reasons I may just part ways with my iPhone 16 Pro (with the last reason being my biggest motivator). 

1. Camera upgrades

The biggest reason to purchase any of the Pro models is that you are an avid photo taker, memory capturer, or content creator, and need the advanced camera system that these phons offer. This year, that reason looms large. 

Also: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: I compared both models, and here are the differences

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max feature “Apple’s best-ever camera systems with higher-resolution sensors front and back – equivalent to having eight pro lenses in a user’s pocket,” according to Apple. Let me break down the actual specs. 

For the first time, the three-camera array includes three 48MP Fusion cameras, including the new 48MP Telephoto camera, which has a sensor that is 56% larger than the previous generation. This should contribute to sharper, crisper images in both lighter and darker environments, and help it better compete with smartphones that do particularly well with long-distance, such as the Google Pixel 10 Pro. 

The claim that there are eight pro lenses in a user’s pocket comes from the fact that now they can flex between various zoom ranges, for example, 4x optical zoom at 100mm vs 8x optical zoom at 200mm (which Apple says is the longest on an iPhone). On the front, the iPhone 17 Pro also features an upgrade with Center Stage, which gives it a wider field of vision for group selfies and better resolution, up to 18MP. 

Also: Why I’m breaking the 5-year iPhone upgrade cycle – and I’m not alone

ZDNET’s Editor in Chief Jason Hiner did point out a potential pitfall: “All three iPhone 17 Pro cameras are now 48MP and Fusion cameras, meaning they have multiple effective lengths. So the zoom camera is now 4x with an 8x ‘optical-quality’ zoom. That means Apple has actually downgraded the optical zoom from 5x to 4x.” 

However, the new specs look promising, and you will really only know how well the camera performs when you use it, but my interest is piqued. Keep an eye out for an in-depth camera system review like the one I did last year for the iPhone 16 Pro. 

2. Battery life 

In yet another bold claim from Apple, the company says that the iPhone 17 Pro has the best battery life in an iPhone. Apple attributes this feat to the unibody design, which allows for the inclusion of a larger battery, iOS 26 battery-optimizing features, and the new A19 Pro chipset. While Apple doesn’t offer the actual battery specs, the company says that the phone supports 33 hours of video playback. By comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro offers up to 27 hours of video playback. 

Also: My iPhone 15 Pro Max battery life went from great to awful in less than two years – what happened?

Even though I am satisfied with the performance of the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery life, likely because it has only been a year, I am a textbook definition of what you would call a power user. I will simultaneously be on FaceTime, and editing a video, while toggling to a different window to answer texts. Even my bedtime routine includes hours of doomscrolling, and as a result, I can always benefit from a better battery. 

3. Strictly aesthetics 

While I wish I were kidding, the new look and colors of the iPhone 17 Pro play a large role in my decision to upgrade. With this iPhone 17 lineup as a whole, it was refreshing to see Apple take more creative liberties. While this was exemplified in its most unique form factor, the iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 Pro shows off this trend too, in particular because of its more fun colors. 

While I am not an orange person and own not one ounce of orange in my wardrobe or accessories, the Cosmic Orange color is absolutely stunning. As we discussed in the office, the hands-on footage makes it evident that the color is much less of a traffic cone orange and much more of a copper-like shade. Even the Deep Blue shade, while less eye-catching, is still a beautiful color. Last year, the three Pro models were all different shades of neutrals, varying between four very basic and dull colors. 

Also: iPhone 17 preorders are open: Here’s where you can find free phone deals

There is also a slight variation in the actual form factor. The camera bump extends across the entire top of the phone, similar to that of the Google Pixel models. There is also a two-tone panel on the back of the phone, adding some visual variety.