Apple has been shifting its “Pro” branding to emphasize premium features and performance, rather than just indicating a higher price point or professional-grade functionality.
The company has made this shift evident in various product lines, including the MacBook Pro, Mac Studio, iPad Pro, and even some iPhone models. The base iPhone now offers many key features that matter to users, such as ProMotion display technology.
However, Apple is expected to take this trend further with its upcoming iPhone 17 Pro lineup. Rumored features include a dedicated camera app, a second Camera Control button, an 8x telephoto lens, and improved cooling. These upgrades are aimed at satisfying the needs of professionals who require advanced features for their work or content creation.
But not everyone is excited about these features. Some users, like the author, prefer more basic iPhone models that still offer solid performance but without the hefty price tag and unnecessary advanced features. The recently announced iPhone 17 Air seems to be a more appealing option for everyday users, with its A19 Pro chip, 12GB of RAM, and futuristic design.
It’s unclear whether Apple will continue this shift towards making the non-Pro models more competitive or if the Pro lineup will remain focused on satisfying the needs of professionals.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/07/28/iphone-17-pro-could-be-even-more-pro-than-usual-this-year