Iphone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Silver (256 GB) Review
Design and Build
The iPhone 17 Pro in Silver is one of three colour options this year, alongside the new Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue finishes. I couldn’t quite bring myself to choose the orange, it felt a bit too bold, a shade I’d probably grow tired of before long.
Moving from titanium to an aluminium unibody gives the Pro a different character, more industrial, less showy. In this finish, the phone blends in rather than shouting for attention. The metallic frame and raised camera plateau look sleek in silver, while the glass back with its soft white hue subtly shifts the overall look. It’s undeniably bulky and heavy, but there’s a reassuring solidity to it.
That said, Apple needs to come up with something different for the Pro design in 2026, or perhaps, the way forward is the Air 2. Only time will tell. Apple has also introduced Ceramic Shield 2 on both the front and back, improving durability. That said, the Pro doesn’t feel as striking in the hand as the Air. It’s heavier, more deliberate, and emphasises toughness and precision, whereas the iPhone Air is light, minimalist, and playful. The Air’s 6.5-inch display feels like the perfect size, while the Pro’s slightly smaller 6.3-inch screen can feel a little cramped, especially if you’re used to the extra room of the Air or the max.
Apple seems to be drawing a clear line between the two, the Pro as practical and professional, the Air as expressive and fun.
Performance and Cameras
As expected from Apple’s flagship, the A19 Pro chip with vapour chamber cooling keeps everything running smoothly, from gaming to video editing to multitasking.
The camera system is a real highlight. All three rear lenses are now 48 MP, featuring a 4x optical zoom at 100 mm, while Apple’s new Fusion Zoom extends this up to 8x with minimal loss of detail. Wider apertures enhance low-light performance, and improved computational photography makes night scenes and portraits more dynamic. Video capabilities have also been expanded with support for ProRes and RAW recording, though external storage is required when using the 256 GB model with the Blackmagic app for ProRes capture. The 18 MP front camera with Centre Stage delivers sharper selfies and more natural FaceTime calls.
That said, it’s still not a replacement for a mirrorless camera system. Portraits are lovely, but they lack the natural compression and creamy bokeh of a fast prime lens, and landscape shots, while impressive on screen, can’t quite match the resolution and fine detail of dedicated cameras. Apple continues to blur the line between smartphone and professional photography, but serious photographers will still reach for their camera bag.
Scratch & Mark-gate Concerns
Some early buyers have reported what’s being dubbed “Scratch & Mark-gate.” The anodised aluminium frame, particularly around the corners and the raised camera plateau, appears prone to small scuffs. While Ceramic Shield 2 protects the glass front and back, the frame remains the most vulnerable area. I haven’t experienced this issue on my own device yet, but I’ll update the review if it occurs. It may turn out that the Air’s thinner, more futuristic design actually outperforms the Pro in terms of sturdiness and durability
Verdict
The iPhone 17 Pro in silver is I feel the best out of a boring line up of colours. With 256 GB of base storage, upgraded cameras, and the A19 chip, it blends personality with refinement. In truth, the Air’s performance is already on par with the 17 Pro in many ways, the main differences come down to an extra speaker and two additional camera lenses. I hope I made the right decision by returning the Air and sticking with the Pro, only time will tell. Still, I’m excited to see what the iPhone Air 2 might bring in 2026.
The 17 Pro in silver may not suit everyone, but for anyone wanting a phone that stands out, it’s an excellent choice. It’s silver, not orange, yet it still manages to catch the eye in a refined and sophisticated way.
Having owned the Air, and returned it for the pro. I’ve realised that after a short time, I’ve grown somewhat bored with the same look and feel of the never changing iPhone Pro camera design. The Air, by contrast, has shown me that being packed full of features isn’t necessarily what matters most. Sometimes, simplicity, comfort, and usability take priority. Will I return the Pro and move back to the Air? The answer is yes — it’s simply a nicer phone to hold and use.
If Apple can eventually merge the Air’s sleek, futuristic design with the Pro’s hardware advantages, it would signal a true return to innovation — and might just reignite excitement in a mobile industry that’s been coasting for too long
.