The iPhone 17 series was officially announced by Apple at the Worldwide Developers Conference. For those of you considering purchasing an iPhone 17, whether it's the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max, especially the iPhone 17 Pro series, check out the following article, we'll give you compelling reasons why you should buy the iPhone 17 Pro, or perhaps why you shouldn't rush into buying one.
Here are some compelling reasons why you should buy the iPhone 17 Pro, plus things to consider to help you make a more informed decision:
Advantages / Superiority of the iPhone 17 Pro
High performance & efficiency
The iPhone 17 Pro uses the A19 Pro chip, which is built with a more advanced fabrication process → meaning a faster CPU/GPU and lower power consumption.
Much better camera
- All three rear cameras (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto) will have high resolution (48 MP) for sharper details.
- The optical telephoto zoom is approximately 8× (or "optical quality zoom"), which is very helpful if you like long-distance photos or small objects from afar.
- The front camera has also been upgraded, so selfies and video calls are clearer.
Better battery and endurance
- There's an increase in battery capacity compared to the previous generation.
- Improved thermal performance (e.g., vapor chamber technology) helps keep the device cool even during prolonged use for gaming or video recording.
Screen & display experience
- High refresh rate display (ProMotion 120Hz) → animations, scrolling, and UI interactions feel smoother.
- Higher peak screen brightness makes the display more visible outdoors or in direct sunlight.
High-end features for professional content and photography
For those of you who like to create videos, vlogs, or social media: features like simultaneous front and rear video recording, pro formats (ProRes, RAW), and high zoom support will be very helpful.
Things to Consider / Potential Drawbacks
Pretty High Price
Because of all those premium features, the iPhone 17 Pro will be in the flagship price range. It's important to determine whether the added benefits justify the investment.
Weight & Size
More features + a larger camera = possibly heavier or slightly thicker than the standard model. It may be less comfortable to hold in one hand if you prefer a compact form factor.
The real benefits depend on your needs
If you don't need a long-zoom camera, or don't often shoot ultra-high-resolution video, many of the Pro features might just be nice to have but rarely used.
Resale Value & Updates
iPhones typically have good resale value and long-lasting software support, but they still cost more in terms of depreciation than standard models (depending on the market), and the feature differences may become smaller over the years.
Here are some reasons why you might not want to rush into buying the iPhone 17 Pro. Meaning, before you buy, consider carefully so you don't regret it:
iPhone 17 Pro Drawbacks / Potential Problems
Very High Price
The iPhone 17 Pro is in the premium flagship class. Its official price (and the import price in Indonesia) will likely be very high. If you won't be using its features to their full potential, this might be a waste of money.
Decrease in premium materials
There are rumors that Apple will return to using an aluminum frame instead of titanium for the Pro models. Titanium is stronger, feels more premium, and is generally more resistant to scratches and impact damage. If this is true, it might result in a slight decrease in physical durability.
A design some people dislike
- The long/wide rear camera bar might be considered less aesthetically pleasing, less symmetrical, or feel "odd" compared to previous designs.
- Glossy or reflective back materials may make fingerprints more visible or increase the risk of scratches.
Features that may not be as significant as expected
- Rumors suggest that charging speed improvements may be minimal compared to previous models, so upgrades in certain areas may feel less significant.
- There are also reports that the anti-reflective coating on the screen has been canceled or postponed for this model. So if you really need a clear screen outdoors, this could be a drawback.
Size and weight
With additional cameras, materials, cooling features (e.g., a vapor chamber), and a larger battery, the phone may be heavier/thicker than non-Pro or previous models. This could be less comfortable to use one-handed or carry around. (Although not fully confirmed)
Upgrade value if you already own a previous generation iPhone
If you've been using an iPhone Pro for a generation or two, many of these improvements may feel incremental, a little faster, a slightly better camera, etc. The performance/feature difference may not justify the cost.
Limited supply of additional features
Some anticipated features may be missing or canceled (according to rumors). For example, the much-hyped anti-reflective screen may actually be canceled. If you buy with high expectations for features that aren't confirmed, you could be disappointed.
Conclusion, when Is the iPhone 17 Pro Worth It, and When Is It Better to Choose an Alternative?
If you're a user who:
- frequently creates content (photos/videos) and needs a professional camera and video features.
- uses multiple Apple products and prioritizes integration within the ecosystem (sync, continuity, security).
- values software stability and frequent updates.
- doesn't mind paying a premium for high-end build quality and features.
Then the iPhone 17 Pro could be very worthwhile.
But if you:
- prioritize value per dollar, as many features as possible for a given price
- need fast charging, or frequently use devices heavily (gaming, heavy multitasking)
- doesn't necessarily want all the premium features of the iPhone Pro (high zoom, pro video, etc.)
- or find the import price + Indonesian taxes too expensive
Then an alternative Android flagship could offer better bang for the buck.
