Apple’s September launch event introduced two standout devices—the iPhone 17 Airthe thinnest iPhone ever, and the iPhone 17 Proa powerhouse built for professionals. While both run on the latest Apple Intelligence ecosystem and share the A19 Pro chipthey target different audiences. Here’s a breakdown:
Design & Build
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iPhone 17 Air: Ultra-slim at just 5.6mmfeaturing a titanium frame, Ceramic Shield 2 front and back with 3x better scratch resistance and 4x crack resistance. Lightweight, minimal, and unlike any iPhone before.
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iPhone 17 Pro: Slightly thicker, prioritising endurance with vapor chamber cooling for sustained performance. Offered in three bold finishes, including a striking new orange.
Display
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iPhone 17 Air: 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR ProMotion displayup to 120Hzslim bezels, and Always On Display support.
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iPhone 17 Pro: Available in 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Pro modelsalso ProMotion up to 120Hztuned for HDR content and professional-grade workflows.
Performance
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Both devices use the A19 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU, the fastest in any smartphone.
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The Pro benefits from vapor chamber cooling for heavy workloads like gaming, video editing, and ProRAW photography.
Camera
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iPhone 17 Air: Simplified but powerful 48MP Fusion main camera, 2x telephotoAi-Driven 2× crop pipeline, Center Stage front cameraand Dual Capture for simultaneous front+rear video.
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iPhone 17 Pro: Professional camera system with 48MP Pro Fusion sensors, 8x telephoto capabilitysupport for ProRes RAW, Genlockand up to eight focal lengths (13mm–200mm)—making it a creator’s dream.
Battery
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iPhone 17 Air: Slim design with all-day battery lifeoptimised by A19 Pro efficiency.
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iPhone 17 Pro: Apple’s best battery life ever on an iPhone, designed for creators and professionals working off-grid.
Sustainability
Who should buy what?
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The iPhone 17 Air is for those who want design, elegance, and portability without losing flagship-level performance.
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The iPhone 17 Pro is for power users, professionals, and creators who need advanced photography tools, maximum endurance, and Pro workflows.
