So I finally got my hands on the iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange (yeah, that’s the official color name), and after using it as my daily driver for about a month, I’ve got some thoughts. Spoiler: it’s really good, but there are some things you should know before dropping your money on it.
First Impressions: That Cosmic Orange Color is Something Else
Let me start with the elephant in the room – this color.
When Apple announced “Cosmic Orange,” I wasn’t sure what to expect. In person? It’s gorgeous. It’s not that in-your-face bright orange. It’s more like a deep, burnt orange with these subtle metallic undertones that change depending on the light.
A19 Pro Chip: Fast Enough to Make You Forget About Speed
I’m not gonna lie – I don’t run benchmarks or obsess over chip specs. But the A19 Pro is stupid fast. Apps open instantly, games run without hiccups, and I can edit 4K videos right on my phone without it getting hot or laggy.
The real test was when I was editing a bunch of photos from a trip – like 50+ RAW files. On my old phone, this would’ve been painful. The iPhone 17 Pro just powered through it like it was nothing.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 17 Pro?
Perfect for:
- People who take lots of photos and videos
- Anyone who does a lot of video calls (that Center Stage camera!)
- Mobile gamers who want the best performance
- Anyone upgrading from an iPhone 13 or older
- People who want top-tier battery life
- Anyone who loves that Cosmic Orange color (it’s legitimately cool)
- Without a doubt, iPhones run smoothly. Upgrading from an iPhone 13 Pro to this one is a big improvement. After many years on Android, it’s goodbye to constant glitches and bugs.
Without a doubt, iPhones run incredibly smoothly. Upgrading from an iPhone 13 Pro to this one is a big improvement. And after many years on Android, it’s goodbye to constant errors and bugs.
The Front Center Stage Camera – Game Changer for Video Calls
This is probably the coolest new feature that nobody’s talking about enough. The front camera now has Center Stage, which is that auto-tracking thing from iPads.
What does this mean in real life? When you’re on a FaceTime call or Zoom meeting, the camera automatically pans and zooms to keep you in frame. You can move around, and it follows you.
I use this all the time now for work calls. I can pace around my apartment (yeah, I’m that guy) or adjust my position, and I stay perfectly centered. It also works great for those calls where you’re trying to show someone something – the camera widens out automatically when it detects multiple people.
It’s one of those features that seems gimmicky until you use it, then you can’t imagine going back.
Daily Life with the iPhone 17 Pro
The phone just works. I know that sounds boring, but it’s true. Face ID is fast, the battery lasts all day, apps never crash, photos look great. It’s reliable in a way that makes you forget you’re even using a phone.
The Cosmic Orange color makes me happy every time I pull it out of my pocket. I know that’s superficial, but aesthetics matter when you’re looking at something 100 times a day.
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 17 Pro is the best iPhone Apple’s made so far. Revolutionary? Maybe not. But it’s refined in all the right ways. The battery finally lasts a full day for heavy users, the cameras are fantastic, and that Center Stage front camera is more useful than I expected.
The Cosmic Orange color is fire, the performance is overkill for most tasks (which means it’ll stay fast for years), and I haven’t found myself wishing it did anything differently.
If you’re due for an upgrade and want the best iPhone experience right now, the 17 Pro delivers. Just seriously consider getting a case for that gorgeous but slippery Cosmic Orange finish.
