iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max Launch: Internet Calls New Design ‘Ugly’ Despite Big Upgrades

Apple unveiled its most premium smartphones yet - the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max - at its highly anticipated "Awe Dropping" Apple Event 2025. While the devices boast cutting-edge features and performance enhancements, the internet has erupted with criticism over their controversial new design.

Internet Divided Over iPhone 17 Pro Design

Social media platform X quickly flooded with memes and critical reactions after Apple showcased the new design. Many users expressed disappointment with the larger rear camera plateau and the Cosmic Orange color option, calling the look "ugly" and "un-Apple-like."

This marks a surprising shift in public perception for Apple, a company long celebrated for sleek, crowd-pleasing design.

Key Features of iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max

Despite the design backlash, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max come packed with major hardware and software upgrades:

Aluminum unibody design with Ceramic Shield 2 (3x more scratch-resistant) on the front and a 4x stronger Ceramic Shield rear panel.

Display: 6.3-inch (Pro) and 6.9-inch (Pro Max) with up to 3,000 nits peak brightness and 2x improved outdoor contrast.

Camera: Triple 48MP Fusion cameras, including a new Telephoto lens with up to 8x optical zoom. The 18MP front camera supports Center Stage.

Performance: Powered by the A19 Pro chip (6-core CPU + 6-core GPU) for 40% faster performance than iPhone 16 Pro models.

Cooling: Vapor chamber system for better thermal management.

Connectivity: New Apple-designed N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.

Battery: iPhone 17 Pro Max offers up to 39 hours of video playback, making it the longest-lasting iPhone yet.

Storage: New 2TB configuration, doubling the previous 1TB maximum.

Pricing and Availability

iPhone 17 Pro (256GB): $1,099

iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB): $1,199

Pre-orders begin on September 12, 2025, with customer deliveries and in-store sales starting September 19, 2025.

The models are eSIM-only in countries including the U.S., Canada, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others, freeing up internal space for larger batteries.

New Accessories

Apple also introduced new accessories, including TechWoven cases and a Crossbody Strap, positioned as successors to the discontinued FineWoven cases.

While Apple touted the new design as a leap in durability and performance, online users weren't convinced. Memes targeted the oversized camera bump and the Cosmic Orange variant, drawing comparisons to "retro gadgets" and "cheap knockoffs."

Still, Apple's dedicated fan base is expected to drive strong pre-orders, especially with the Pro lineup's camera and performance improvements.