iPhone 17 Pro’s Final Countdown Reveals Colors, Cameras, and Cooling

There’s only 3 days to go until Apple’s September event and the iPhone 17 Pro is already stealing the show. According to leaks, it will come in new colors and have a camera system that will take smartphone photography to the next level.

A new color palette is set to characterise the iPhone 17 Pro. Leaked images and renders show navy blue, orange, black, white and grey. Navy blue and orange are the show stealers, breaking away from Apple’s usual muted tones for the Pro models. Analysts have confirmed these colors, with some speculating the orange may have a coppery, almost fluorescent sheen that changes with the light. This bold colour combined with a deep, rich navy blue is Apple’s way of making the Pro models look stunning, elegant and daring. The aluminum frame, which has replaced titanium in recent years, will enhance the sheen of these colors giving the phone a polished and dynamic look.

Camera enhancements are expected to be the iPhone 17 Pro’s main feature. A leaked South Korean carrier document shows a triple 48-megapixel rear camera setup. This includes a primary sensor, an ultra-wide and a telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom – a first for Apple’s Pro lineup. This advanced telephoto system can shoot 8K video and will be shared by both the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Some X users like Keyboard Enthusiast think the 8x zoom may be based on sensor cropping rather than an optical solution but the increase over the iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x telephoto is impressive anyway. A 24-megapixel front camera completes the set, for crisper selfies and video calls.

The A19 Pro chip based on TSMC’s 3nm process improves performance significantly. With 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB on the iPhone 16 Pro models) this chip will handle demanding tasks like Apple Intelligence and multitasking with ease. The carrier’s document also mentions vapor chamber cooling technology, a first for iPhones. This feature limited to Pro models will keep temperatures in check during heavy usage like gaming or video editing. Unlike the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air which use high density batteries, the Pro models’ cooling technology will ensure long term performance without throttling, a big plus for power users.

The iPhone 17 Pro will have a 3,700mAh battery while the Pro Max will have a 5,000mAh battery (up from 4,676mAh on the iPhone 16 Pro Max). These bigger batteries combined with the A19 Pro’s efficiency will result to longer usage times which could reach a day and a half for heavy users. The standard iPhone 17 and the new iPhone 17 Air will have 3,600mAh and 2,800mAh batteries respectively. The Pro Max’s bigger battery and 6.9-inch display makes it a beast for those who value screen real estate and stamina.

As Front Page Tech points out, the switch to an aluminum unibody chassis means a lighter feel and more color options. A horizontal camera bar replaces the square bump, housing the triple 48MP cameras in a color-matched array. Some rumors suggest a part-glass, part-aluminum back to keep MagSafe compatibility and a two-tone look that’s modern and functional. The 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays on the Pro and Pro Max remain the same size, but may get an anti-reflective coating and improved scratch resistance.

Pricing stays the same, a welcome relief in a time of rising costs. The South Korean document says the iPhone 17 Pro is $999 for 128GB and the Pro Max is $1,250, the same as last year. With the rumored upgrades, the Pro models are looking good for those who want a premium iPhone without the price increase. The standard iPhone 17 is $799 and the iPhone 17 Air with its 6.6-inch display and 5.5mm thin is $899, a middle ground for those who want a lightweight but capable device.