I downgraded from an iPhone 15 Pro Max to the iPhone 17 Pro and used it for about two weeks, so this is my brutally honest take if you’re thinking about going smaller. I start with the cons because that’s what actually affects day-to-day life. The biggest one (and it might be a dealbreaker) is battery life: even though it’s better than my 15 Pro Max battery after two years, I still have to charge it mid-day. That’s fine when I’m home, but it’s going to be annoying when I’m traveling. The second con is the upgrade value. If you already have an iPhone 15 or 16, the change doesn’t feel that dramatic—yes it’s a bit faster and smoother, but for the extra price, I personally don’t think it’s worth it unless the camera matters a lot to you. Third, the back scratches super easily, so I basically have to keep it in a case. On the pro side, I genuinely love the smaller size (it fits my hand, purse, and pockets way better), and I’ve dropped it way less than my huge 15 Pro Max. The other big pro is the camera—especially the selfie camera and that mainstage-style framing for group shots at events—so as a content creator, buying it as a business expense makes sense for me.