Tag: 2025

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iPhone 17 Pro (Cosmic Orange, 256GB, 2025)

The iPhone 17 Pro was introduced on September 9, 2025, during a pre-recorded Apple event titled “Awe Dropping” that featured an animated/interactive Apple logo on a black background. The Apple logo resembled a thermal image, perhaps hinting that one of the products introduced might feature a new type of cooling system. That idea became a reality with the iPhone 17 Pro’s new “vapor chamber that is laser-welded into a strong, light, and thermally conductive aluminum unibody” was introduced.

Other iPhone 17 Pro features highlighted in the press release included:

  • “Both models feature A19 Pro, the most powerful and efficient chip for iPhone yet, enabling the advanced camera systems, next-level mobile gaming, and Apple Intelligence.”
  • “Three 48MP Fusion cameras — Main, Ultra Wide, and an all-new Telephoto — offer the equivalent of eight lenses, including the longest optical-quality zoom ever on iPhone at 8x, and the innovative 18MP Center Stage front camera takes selfies to the next level.”
  • “Both models feature the Ceramic Shield 2 front cover with 3x better scratch resistance, and for the first time, Ceramic Shield protects the back of iPhone.”

The iPhone 17 Pro (and Pro Max) featured new colors including a silver that uses two “refined” tones with the camera body and ceramic shield, an “elegant” deep blue, and a “bold” cosmic orange.

I found the cosmic orange option difficult to resist because previous Pro-model iPhone devices have not been available in colors that were not dark, desaturated, or otherwise dull.

This event included Apple’s first mention of the “plateau” that houses the camera on the back of the phone—previously informally referred to as the “camera bump.” (The plateau was also mentioned in the introduction of the iPhone Air in this Apple event.) Apple explained the protruding feature on the iPhone 17 Pro: “On the back, the plateau creates additional space for internal components — making room for a larger battery.”

Apple further described the vapor chamber cooling system:

“Deionized water is sealed inside the vapor chamber, which is laser-welded into the aluminum chassis to move heat away from the powerful A19 Pro, allowing it to operate at even higher performance levels. The heat is carried into the forged aluminum unibody, where it is distributed evenly through the system, managing power and surface temperatures to deliver incredible performance while remaining comfortable to hold.”

The display of the iPhone 17 Pro is described as a Super Retina XDR display in 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch sizes. It includes a new protective layer called Ceramic Shield 2 that Apple describes as “tougher than any smartphone glass or glass-ceramic, with…3x better scratch resistance and improved anti-reflection to reduce glare.” The display is an Always-On ProMotion (up to 120Hz) delivering up to 3000 nits of brightness. The same Ceramic Shield technology on the display is also on the back of the device, delivering a stronger finish that allows better conductivity for the MagSafe connector.

In addition to the new A19 Pro chip that is up to 40% more powerful than the previous generation Pro chips, the device contains the N1, “a new Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.”

Like many previous iPhone releases, the camera system was touted significantly throughout the release. Apple noted that the iPhone 17 Pro delivers “eight pro lenses in a user’s pocket.”

Back cameras:

  • 3 48MP Fusion cameras for sharper, more detailed images
  • 1 48MP Telephoto camera with a sensor 56% percent larger than the previous generation for brighter/more detailed photos
  • 1 4x 100mm optical zoom lens
  • 1 8x 200mm optical zoom lens

Front camera:
1 Center Stage front camera with “the first square front camera sensor on iPhone, offering a wider field of view and higher resolution — up to 18MP for photos — to capture more detail.”

Apple’s product website for the iPhone 17 Pro featured an impressive set of photos illustrating the various native zoom levels and equating them with their “8 pro lenses” claim:

  • 8x = 200mm
  • 4x = 100mm
  • 2x = 48mm
  • 1.5x = 35mm
  • 1.2x = 28mm
  • 1x = 24mm
  • 0.5x = 13mm
  • Macro

The iPhone 17 Pro video capabilities were also discussed with features such as Dolby Vision HDR, 4K 120 fps, ProRes, and support for ACES. In addition, the iPhone 17 Pro now adds ProRes RAW, Log 2, and genlock—a technique to precisely synchronize video across multiple cameras by industry leader Blackmagic.

The iPhone 17 Pro measures 5.91 x 2.83 inches, and is 0.34 inch thick. It weighs 7.27 ounces.

Sources: Apple (press release, product page)

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iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe (2025)

The verbosely named “iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe” is similar to previous Apple Clear Case designs except for the conspicuous bright white, rounded-rectangle that covers the ceramic shield on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro (the same design is used on the iPhone 17 Pro Max version). The white rectangle on the Clear Case includes a light gray Apple logo. Although the rounded-rectangle design feature is not mentioned in the description of the product (and is nearly impossible to notice on the all-white packaging), it is presumably present to hide the MagSafe magnets that were in the shape of the partial circle/bar outline pattern in previous Clear Case models with MagSafe.

Apple describes the iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe:

“Thin, light, and easy to grip — this Apple-designed case shows off the brilliant colored finish of iPhone 17 Pro while providing extra protection. Crafted with a blend of optically clear polycarbonate and flexible materials, the case fits right over the buttons for easy use.”

Like the previous Clear Case, this one includes a sapphire crystal Camera Control button that “communicates finger movements.” Also like the previous Clear Cases, it is made “with a blend of clear polycarbonate and flexible materials with scratch-resistant coating on the interior and exterior.”

As an Apple Clear Case owner since the iPhone 11, this one has the best button design feel among all previous models. For the first time, the buttons do not require additional force to press, and you can feel a pronounced click. Further, the case exterior has an overall “silkier” feel than the previous versions.

And one final note, I have paired this “Clear” case with a Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro. Presumably, at least some buyers of the Cosmic Orange selected the color to enjoy looking at it. Purchasing a Clear Case, as opposed to a different color that would cover the orange, seems like an intentional choice to allow the Cosmic Orange to be seen. According to my calculations, the white rounded-rectangle covers just under 40% of the Cosmic Orange finish of the iPhone. This design seems somewhat counterproductive to the “Clear” concept.

Sources: Apple (product webpage, press release)

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Apple Watch Solo Loop (Northern Lights, 45 mm, Size 12, Spring 2025)

The Solo Loop Apple Watch band was released in 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The packaging describes this product as a “Silicone Fitted Band.” According to Apple’s website:

“Made from liquid silicone rubber, the Solo Loop features a unique, stretchable design with no clasps, buckles, or overlapping parts that’s ultracomfortable to wear and easy to slip on and off your wrist. Each band is specially treated with UV to give the band a silky, smooth finish. It’s also swim proof and sweat proof so it can go just about anywhere you want to wear it.”

The color of this band is Northern Lights, a shade of bright green (almost neon). The color was very close to the Sprout Green Solo Loop from Spring 2023, as pictured in the accompanying photos. It was available in 41 mm and 45 mm widths, and was sold in specific wrist sizes. The 41 mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 1–9, and the 45 mm Solo Loop was sold in wrist sizes 4–12.

According to Apple’s website, “This band comes in custom sizes because it’s designed for an ultracomfortable fit. An accurate measurement will help you get the size that’s right for you.” The website allowed buyers to download a PDF and cut out a “tool” that wrapped around the wrist to designate the band size needed.

This snug-fitting design allowed Apple Watch sensors to retain constant and consistent skin contact, allowing accurate blood oxygen and heart rate measurements to be maintained.

Source: Apple, Bandbreit (Northern Lights, Sprout Green)

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Unity Rhythm Sport Loop (46mm, Spring 2025)

This Sport Loop is Apple’s fifth design in the Black Unity collection. With this watch band purchase, “Apple is supporting five global organizations that focus on elements of rhythm, creativity, and community through meaningful mentorship of underrepresented artists or musicians.” The five organizations include:

  • The National Museum of African American Music
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales
  • Music Forward Foundation
  • Battersea Arts Centre
  • Ellis Marsalis Center for Music

This was the first Apple Sport Loop to use a lenticular design. Apple described the effect: “Celebrating the unifying power of rhythm, this unique band is woven together to create a beautiful depth effect. In motion, Pan-African colors of red and green shift to reveal a hint of yellow — as if by magic.” In addition, “From the beat of a heart to the flow of creativity, rhythm is a universal element of the human experience.”

This band includes a matching watch face. Apple states, “The band is complemented by the Unity Rhythm watch face, which animates to tell the time when you raise your wrist. Distinctive rhythmic chimes mark every hour and half hour.”

Like all Sport Loop bands, Apple describes the style: “Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Sport Loop features a hook-and-loop fastener for quick and easy adjustment. The double-layer nylon weave has dense loops on the skin side that provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape.”

This One Size (Fits Most) band fits 145–220mm wrists.

Sources: Apple (Unity Rhythm), Bandbreite