Three Months with the iPhone 17 Pro: Waiting Is the Hardest Part

Time flies, and now that I’ve had the iPhone 17 Pro for around three months (give or take), it’s time for me once again to tell you how I feel about it. Picking it up on release day, it’s been my daily driver since replacing my iPhone 15 Pro. For the time being, it’s done an amazing job of keeping up with my hectic lifestyle and frequent use, but is it something I think everyone should pick up? Let me tell you my experience. 

Looking Back and Moving Forward

In my first review for the iPhone 17 Pro, I covered a lot of things that I enjoy about it: iOS 26 is pretty great now that Apple has worked the kinks out of it; the A19 Pro chip is blazingly fast; and the battery life has been phenomenal. Like any iPhone release, it’s been highly satisfying working and interacting with a (now) relatively fresh device. While there have been some hiccups, a good portion of them have primarily been to my own mishaps. 

If you’re not interested in checking out my original review and need a refresher, the iPhone 17 Pro released in September 2025 and features a 6-3-inch Super Retina XDR displaying that includes Promotion;  the sleek A19 Pro chip;  and a triple 48MP camera system that includes, Ultra, Wide, and Telephoto lenses. It’s got the looks, the design, and the power, though folks should remember that the price “technically” raised due to dropping the 128GB option. Also, Apple Intelligence is available, and it’s a thing that exists.  

As someone who likely spends too much time on their iPhone (I can easily average four hours a day on my device, which sounds terrifying now that I actually write it down), it’s not just a matter of doom scrolling social media – I actually use my device for other things, too. Admittedly, this is primarily playing Pokémon GO, but regardless, my usage and habits can put an iPhone through the ringer. After three months, I feel I’m starting to get a good sense of what this device is capable of, and I’m impressed. 

What to Like After Three Months

After a solid amount of time with the iPhone 17 Pro, it’s honestly surprising how well it can take a beating. In the time that I’ve owned it, I’ve dropped it on the ground plenty of times – more on that later – and even dropped it into a full sink of water. Since I keep my device naked, it does have a couple of scuffs at the corners because of this, including a small divot due to a fall on concrete. However, considering what a death sentence a drop on concrete has been for prior iPhone models I’ve owned, I’m incredibly impressed with iPhone 17 Pro’s durability. Concerning the drop in the water, it submerged completely and stayed there for a moment, but it wasn’t a problem just letting the iPhone rest overnight without charging didn’t fix. 

A Quick Note About Screen Protectors

While the iPhone itself has been incredibly impressive, the Belkin Ultraglass 2 Screen Protector I purchased has not done so well. Not only does a screen protector potentially mess with the Ceramic Shield 2’s AR (anti-reflective) coating, but the protector itself has chipped and broken around the corners almost immediately. After three months, my screen protector is so busted around the edges it looks like I’ve owned the device for years. While I’ve told myself I’ll get a new one since it’s under warranty, I’ll more than likely remove it as some point and continue my tradition of just going naked. 

Battery Life Remains Impressive

Another thing that’s really been winning me over is the battery life. While I’d still like to see how the battery will perform two years from now, even three months in I’m getting all-day juice most days, only really needing to charge it when I have days where I’m heavily gaming with Pokémon GO. If you’re considering the iPhone 17 Pro, I personally think the battery life may be one of the best things about it. This is, of course, going to depend on how old your previous model smartphone is.

The fact remains that lithium-ion degrades over time. While Apple does include plenty of features to try and mitigate this issue, I still am excited to see how well the battery will hold up in some years time. While doing things like making sure you’re not constantly turning the display on and off can be a big help, new users should have a look around in Settings > Battery to see what’s available. Adaptive Power Mode, for example, can be pretty sweet. Though I don’t do it myself, disabling the always-on display can also be rather kind for your battery.

Color Options, Camera Bumps, and More

It’s been awhile since I’ve had such a vibrant color for my iPhone. While Apple has offered plenty of options within the iPhone 15 and 16 lineup, this wasn’t really the case with the iPhone 15 Pro. Given that, one thing I did not prepare myself for was the amount of attention having the Cosmic Orange 17 Pro would bring me. More than a couple of times someone has asked me about it, bringing me into a small conversation about it. This hasn’t necessarily been a problem for me, but I could see it being a problem for people that don’t want the extra attention. 

Fumblin’ iPhones and the Camera Button

Going back to me constantly dropping the device, one of the biggest drawbacks for me is the amount of times it seems to fall out of my hand. Maybe it’s just me, but I find that when my hands are incredibly dry, my fingers don’t have any grip on the device. This was an issue for me with the iPhone 15 Pro as well, but I think the slightly larger camera bump on the iPhone 17 Pro may be the cause of this. It could be a weight balance my hand just isn’t familiar with yet. Maybe I’m completely off my rocker, but I’ve definitely noticed that I’ve had to slightly change how I hold the device, making sure my index finger is closer to the bump so the phone overall has more support. 

Weight distribution aside, something else that really hasn’t swayed me yet has been the additional Camera button. While the feature original saw release with the iPhone 16, I skipped that model to get this one. If anything, I find myself pressing it every so often, pulling the Camera up randomly and interrupting whatever I’m doing. The problem hasn’t happened often enough for me to want to just disable the button entirely, but so far, I’m just not really a fan. Maybe this will change as I have more experience with the device, but for now, accessing my Camera from my Lock Screen in iOS is still just fine. 

Is the iPhone 17 Pro Worth the Upgrade?

The iPhone 17 Pro is indeed a powerful device, but whether or not you should get it still depends on a number of factors. If you’re coming from a semi-older iPhone mode or later, you’re going to love this device. If you already have something like the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro, I don’t think the upgrade is going to be all that exciting for you. The new color options are certainly exciting, and there’s plenty of new camera features that professionals are sure to enjoy, but I don’t think there’s necessarily enough perks to justify an upgrade from even the iPhone 15. 

Another thing to keep in mind  is the fact that Apple is likely planning something big for the twentieth anniversary of the iPhone. Considering the rumor mill is already churning with reports about the device, such as the fact that Apple may skip the iPhone 19 and move directly the 20, along with the fact that the 2027 model may be all-screen on the front, I feel that certain current iPhone owners may benefit from waiting. 

Of course, this really depends on how often you update your iPhone, as well. If you like upgrading yearly or every year, then the iPhone 17 Pro is going to treat you right. However, if you don’t upgrade all that often or you just recently upgraded, waiting for the iPhone 20 may be the move. However, if you’re the type that upgrades bi-annually anyway, then depending on your schedule you may already be preparing to get the iPhone 17 Pro and then the iPhone 20. 

The Final Word: Should You Get the iPhone 17 Pro?

Even after three months, I’m extremely happy with the device. While I still reflect on my time with my trusty iPhone 15 Pro, overall, the upgrade was worth it. It’s done a good job taking a beating (even if I hope to stop dropping the device), and it’s handled virtually everything I’ve thrown at it with ease. Though the screen protector that I purchased for it has been rather disappointing, I’ve been more than impressed with the number of times I’ve dropped the device only to find relatively minimal scuffs. 

Even if I think you should wait, or, at the very least, consider the current condition of your device before buying a new one, you’re going to have a really good time even if you don’t listen to me. If you go with the Cosmic Orange it’s going to stand out, and the device is going to deliver a level of performance you’ve come to expect with Apple. All-day battery life, pristine photos, and hardware that’s not going to give up when you need it. It’s likely the next iPhone is going to continue to surpass itself, but there will be a lot to like for those that can’t wait.