iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Why I’m upgrading my three-year-old model

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As a present iPhone 14 Professional Max person, I nonetheless really feel like my three-year-old iPhone offers me the whole lot I would like from a smartphone. Positive, it might nonetheless have a Lightning Port and no assist for Apple Intelligence, however I overcome these minor inconveniences through the use of a MagSafe charger and ChatGPT. Fact be informed, the Apple Intelligence options have not wowed me sufficient to justify spending $1,000 on a more moderen iPhone. 

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Nevertheless, a number of options, such because the improved digicam array, A19 Professional chip, and enhanced scratch resistance, make me wish to improve to the newer mannequin. Here is how one can resolve if it is time for you. 

You can purchase the iPhone 17 Professional if…

1. You need one of the best iPhone digicam 

The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max look like distinctive instruments for content material creators. All three cameras on the iPhone 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max have been upgraded to 48 MP, and the telephoto lens affords as much as 8x optical zoom, which is the longest on an iPhone. 

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Apple additionally refreshed its front-facing digicam to 18 MP and added assist for Middle Stage, which helps you mechanically body your selfies. This makes use of AI to broaden the sphere of view, permitting for the inclusion of extra topics. The selfie digicam’s sensor can be sq., as a substitute of getting a 4:3 facet ratio, permitting you to take selfies in both portrait or panorama mode with out rotating your cellphone. 

The brand new digicam system additionally helps Twin Seize, permitting you to report what Apple calls ultra-stabilized video from each the entrance and rear cameras concurrently. 

2. You need extra processing energy

The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max run on the A19 Professional chip, a brand new Apple processor that’s the strongest and environment friendly ever on an iPhone. This processor helps the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max ship as much as 40% improved efficiency in comparison with the 16 Professional. The 17 Professional’s CPU is as much as 40% sooner than that of the iPhone 14 Professional, whereas the GPU is twice as quick.

Additionally: Each iPhone 17 mannequin in contrast: Do you have to purchase the bottom mannequin, Air, Professional, or Max?

Throughout its iPhone 17 launch occasion, Apple put loads of emphasis on the way it redesigned the smartphone’s inside structure with this newest lineup. This features a new vapor chamber inside the iPhone, which options deionized water sealed and laser-welded into the aluminum chassis to dissipate warmth. 

Switching from titanium to aluminum for the iPhone 17 Professional may even assist in warmth dissipation, doubtlessly enhancing efficiency. Apple’s redesigned physique offers the 17 Professional and Professional Max a bigger battery, leading to longer battery life for the smartphones. In comparison with the iPhone 14 Professional, the 17 Professional affords as much as 10 extra hours of video playback on a single cost.

3. You need top-of-the-line connectivity

The brand new N1 is the wi-fi networking chip within the iPhone 17 lineup. It helps Wi-Fi 7, an improve from Wi-Fi 6, in addition to Bluetooth 5.1 and Thread. With the brand new N1 chip, Apple additionally improved the reliability of the Private Hotspot and AirDrop. 

You can purchase/persist with the iPhone 14 Professional if…

1. You do not thoughts lacking out on Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence is not all that. Android units are lapping the iPhone in AI options, so I would not suggest switching to a brand new iPhone solely to entry Apple Intelligence simply but. The AI options generally is a professional on the iPhone 17 Professional’s column, however do not hinge your shopping for determination on them alone, particularly once they nonetheless go away so much to be desired. 

Apple has but to improve Siri to its 2.0 model with generative AI, although the digital assistant can entry ChatGPT as wanted when it feels just like the AI chatbot can higher deal with a request. Nevertheless, there are methods so as to add shortcuts to ChatGPT, even make it your go-to voice assistant (although it will not deal with good dwelling requests or private accounts, like music apps). 

Additionally: program your iPhone’s Motion Button to summon ChatGPT’s voice assistant

That stated, some nice Apple Intelligence options can be found, equivalent to Stay Translation, Visible Intelligence, Writing Instruments, and extra. 

2. You are okay with the Lightning Port

Apple switched its charging ports from its proprietary Lightning Port to USB-C with the iPhone 15 lineup, so the 14 is the final one to function the Lightning Port. USB-C offers the iPhone the comfort of a common charging port, slightly than forcing customers to stick to a walled ecosystem. 

3. Saving cash is your precedence 

In case your iPhone 14 Professional nonetheless features because it ought to, and even if you happen to’re largely utilizing it to browse, textual content, and snap fast pictures, it is also a good suggestion to carry out for a future mannequin. The iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max proceed to assist the newest iOS 26 launch and Wi-Fi 6, function a powerful 48 MP rear digicam, albeit with out 8x optical zoom, and embody the Dynamic Island.

Specs

Options to think about