It’s that time of year again. A new iPhone range has just been unveiled. And like clockwork, the debate begins: is the upgrade really worth it?
I upgrade every year, and it’s always about the cameras. I only shoot with iPhones, and have done since the early 2010s, so having the best camera option is a must. The hype around new phone releases always promises “the best ever,” but this year, with the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, I feel the camera system has fully matured.
Once again, I’ve gone for the Pro Max. It’s on the large side, and not for everyone, but after using the Max for the last few years it now feels right for me. The bigger screen makes checking and editing images on the move that bit easier, and the larger battery gives me more confidence when I’m out for long stretches. For the way I work, that extra staying power makes sense.
My 16 Pro Max already gave me 48MP on the Main and Ultra Wide cameras, but the telephoto was still stuck at 12MP. With the 17 Pro Max, all three rear cameras are now 48MP. That means consistent quality across the system — whether I’m shooting sweeping cityscapes, everyday street frames, or zooming in tight, I know I’m getting the same level of detail.
The telephoto is where the leap really shows. On paper Apple dropped from 5× (120mm) to 4× (100mm), which might sound like a step back. In reality, it’s smarter. The 5× always felt like too big a jump — useful sometimes, but often skipping the middle ground. The new 4× is more natural, and because it’s driven by a 48MP sensor, Apple has room to play with.
That’s where the new 8× option comes in. Technically, it uses the centre portion of the 48MP telephoto, dropping the output to 12MP. In the past that would have meant a soft, obviously cropped look. But Apple leans on its computational pipeline, the same “Fusion” tech behind the main lens, to deliver what it calls “optical quality.”
So while the spec sheet makes it look like a downgrade from 5× to 4×, the reality is different: the new system gives me a more natural mid-telephoto at 100mm and a genuinely usable extended reach at 200mm. It’s not a compromise — it’s more versatility.Performance has caught up too. On the 16 Pro Max, long sessions shooting 48MP RAW often meant heat warnings and throttling. The 17 Pro Max fixes that. The move from titanium to aluminium helps dissipate heat, and the new vapor chamber cooling system keeps things stable even under heavy use. Add in a bigger battery and I can shoot and edit longer without worrying about the phone cutting out on me.
I went with the blue finish. I loved the punch of the orange, but I can see it dating quickly. More importantly, I spend a lot of time shooting on the street, and I don’t want to draw attention with a bright, standout phone. The blue is understated, professional, and keeps me invisible when I need to be.
So yes, I upgrade every year. But this is the first time I feel the iPhone camera system has matured into something complete: 48MP across the board, a smarter and more practical telephoto with a genuinely usable 8× option, extended battery life, and heat control that finally keeps pace with the demands of real shooting.