iPhone 17 Pro: Bigger battery, sharper cameras, eSIM only

Apple has revealed the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, calling them the most advanced iPhones yet. The new models feature the A19 Pro chip, enhanced cameras with 8x telephoto zoom, improved battery life, and new durability upgrades. Both go on sale in the UAE from 19 September with prices starting at AED 4,699. The Pro lineup joins the regular iPhone 17 and the new iPhone Air that were also revealed today.

• Apple Watch Ultra 3: now with satellite SOS and 3-day battery =>
• AirPods Pro 3 arrive with heart tracking, better fit and Live Translation

Pricing and availability in the UAE

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will be available in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver.

• iPhone 17 Pro starts at AED 4,699 (256GB)
• iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at AED 5,099 (256GB)
• Storage options up to 2TB

Pre-orders open on 12 September, with UAE availability starting on September 19.

Design and build

The iPhone 17 Pro models feature a new brushed aluminium unibody with improved thermal performance.

• Aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminium
• New vapour chamber cooling system
• Larger internal battery

Apple has redesigned the internal structure to handle heat better and extend performance. The vapour chamber helps spread heat, which means smoother gaming and more efficiency. The stronger aluminium body also leaves room for a bigger battery, making these the longest-lasting iPhones so far.

iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max Specifications

Display and durability

Apple has upgraded both display quality and durability this year.

More on Tbreak

This LG Air Purifier is Smaller Than a Side Table – and it Actually Works

Nothing Ear (3) Lands in the UAE With a Super Mic in the Case and Smarter ANC

Intersec Saudi Arabia is about scale and standards, not hype

Impossible Targets Drive Innovation at Qualcomm

• 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR displays
• Ceramic Shield 2 on front and back
• Up to 3000 nits peak brightness

The Ceramic Shield 2 is now on both sides of the phone, improving scratch and crack resistance. The brighter display with better anti-reflection means easier use outdoors, even in strong UAE sunlight.

Performance with A19 Pro

The new A19 Pro chip pushes iPhone performance further.

• 6-core CPU and GPU with Neural Accelerators
• 40% better sustained performance than A18 Pro
• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support with new N1 chip

Apple claims the A19 Pro is the fastest smartphone processor available. Combined with the redesigned cooling system, the chip supports console-level gaming, AI features, and longer battery life. Networking also gets a boost with the new N1 chip, bringing faster and more stable wireless connections.

Camera upgrades

Apple continues to focus on professional-grade photography and video.

• Triple 48MP Fusion cameras
• New 8x telephoto zoom at 200mm
• 18MP Center Stage front camera

The new telephoto system offers the longest zoom ever on iPhone, perfect for capturing distant subjects. The front camera now supports AI-assisted group selfies, a wider field of view, and ultra-stabilised 4K video. Pro filmmakers also gain new tools like ProRes RAW, Log 2, and genlock for multi-camera productions.

eSIM and iOS 26

Apple is moving further towards eSIM-only devices in the UAE.

• eSIM-only models available in the UAE
• Up to two extra hours of battery life from removing the SIM tray
• New AI features with iOS 26

eSIM adds security and convenience, especially for frequent travellers. iOS 26 brings Apple Intelligence features like live translation, smarter search, and improved call screening, alongside updates to Music, Maps, Wallet, and gaming.

FAQs