By Brian Matambo

Apple has lifted the curtain on the iPhone 17 series, ushering in a fresh lineup that has already stirred global excitement. From Lusaka to London, Zambians are paying attention, not only because of the prestige that comes with owning the latest iPhone, but also because of the powerful tools these devices put into the hands of creators.

The company unveiled four models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a new ultra-thin addition known simply as the iPhone Air. Each device targets a different type of user. The base model is built for everyday reliability, the Air is a bold statement in design, and the Pro models are aimed at professionals who demand maximum performance.

VALUE AT THE BASE LEVEL
The standard iPhone 17 may well be the best deal Apple has offered in years. It now starts with 256 gigabytes of storage, features a 120 Hz display for smoother visuals, and carries upgraded cameras. For Zambians who want an iPhone that balances affordability and longevity, this model represents a solid choice. It offers premium features at a price point that undercuts some rival smartphones on the global market.

A DEVICE THAT DEFIES THINNESS
The iPhone Air is Apple’s most daring experiment this year. Ultra-thin and lightweight, it looks and feels like a piece of fine jewelry. It even comes with a magnet-fitted battery designed to clip onto the back. While it will surely turn heads, its limitations in camera performance and battery life mean it is less practical for professional use. For many, it will be a lifestyle statement rather than a work tool.

WHERE THE REAL POWER LIES
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max carry the muscle of this generation. With the new A19 Pro chip, vapor chamber cooling for sustained performance, and 12 gigabytes of RAM, these devices are built for heavy-duty tasks.

The real breakthrough, however, is in video. The Pro models now support ProRes RAW recording, Apple’s highest-end video format. They also introduce Apple Log 2, which preserves greater dynamic range for professional-grade color correction, and Genlock, a feature that allows multiple cameras to remain perfectly synchronized during multi-camera shoots.

These features push the iPhone far beyond being a communication device. For filmmakers, content creators, and media professionals, they turn it into a genuine production tool.

THE CROWN JEWEL – IPHONE 17 PRO MAX
For those serious about video, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the ultimate choice. It boasts a larger 5,000 mAh battery, an advanced telephoto lens with up to 8× zoom, and storage options reaching a massive 2 terabytes. This is the first iPhone designed with professional video workflows in mind.

As a video producer myself, what excites me is how this phone integrates with existing editing tools. DaVinci Resolve 20.2 now supports ProRes RAW, meaning footage shot on the iPhone 17 Pro Max can be color-graded and polished with the same precision as footage from dedicated cinema cameras. For Zambian storytellers, this means cinematic-quality productions can be shot anywhere, from the streets of Lusaka to diaspora events in Johannesburg, London, or New York.

BEYOND A GADGET, AN INVESTMENT
At nearly 2,000 US dollars for the top model, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is undoubtedly expensive. Yet for creatives in Zambia and abroad, it is more than a gadget. It is a camera, an editing suite, and a communication hub all in one.

Apple may market the iPhone 17 to the world, but for Zambians its true value lies in how it empowers us to tell our own stories, compete on global platforms, and document our experiences with professional quality.

FINAL WORD
The iPhone 17 lineup offers something for everyone. The base model is excellent value, the Air is a stylish statement, and the Pro models raise the ceiling of what a smartphone can do.

For me, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is more than just an upgrade. It is a portable production powerhouse that blurs the line between a smartphone and a cinema camera. With tools like ProRes RAW and Apple Log 2 now in our pockets, Zambian creators are better equipped than ever to capture and share our stories with the world.