Function over form

The new iPhone 17 Pros turn Apple’s old formula on its head. For the first time, the new Pro handsets prioritize function over form, and not the other way around.

Not that Apple ever really designed its iPhones primarily for aesthetics, but this time around, Apple is clearly prioritizing function over looks.

Take the new Pro’s primary material: aluminum.

For some, the use of aluminum seems like a disappointing step down from the premium materials Apple used in previous iPhone Pros: titanium and stainless steel.

But the choice of aluminum has a lot to do with heat dissipation. These new handsets are equipped with a beastly, desktop-class processor that can heat up fast, especially when performing tasks like capturing studio-quality video in ProRes RAW format.

This, and a host of other features, make the new iPhone Pros arguably the most “pro” iPhones Cupertino has ever made. Seriously, they’re insane tools that are well geared to professional tasks and workflows. See our hands-on review by Ian Fuchs, a full-time video professional.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Thanks to the highly charged political atmosphere in the United States right now, Apple TV+ has indefinitely postponed the thriller series The Savant — and its star is far from happy about it. Meanwhile, the new season of Slow Horses just started streaming, and it looks very promising.
Get an exclusive 55% discount with code CULTOFMAC on Incogni’s great privacy tool, which scrubs your personal info right off the internet. And thanks again to Incogni for sponsoring this week’s newsletter.
Wow. Here’s everything you need to know about aluminum anodizing and Scratchgate. The easily scratched iPhone 17 Pro’s problem results from “spalling,” apparently.
A couple of super-interesting products popped onto our radar today: Screen Skinz screen protectors can show personalized artwork directly on your iPhone’s screen — but thanks to tech magic, only when it’s locked. And Logitech made a keyboard that will never require a cord of any kind: It charges via the sun.
Cult of Mac’s managing editor Lewis Wallace uses an M1 MacBook Air as his daily driver, and it’s still going strong. You can get the same machine for less than $400.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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Keep your SSN off the dark web

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Help protect yourself from identity theft, spam calls, and health insurers raising your rates. Plus, just for Cult of Mac readers: Get 55% off Incogni using code CULTOFMAC

iPhone 17 Pro is a powerhouse without functional compromise [Review]

With upgraded pro features and a no-nonsense design, the iPhone 17 Pro delivers maximum power. Get the details in our iPhone 17 Pro review.

Apple TV+ pulls domestic terrorism thriller ‘The Savant,’ and Jessica Chastain isn't happy

In the now-delayed limited series, Jessica Chastain's character infiltrates online hate groups to foil domestic extremists' plots.

iFixit breaks down the iPhone 17 Pro’s Scratchgate problem

Need a clear technical explanation for the iPhone 17 Pro’s Scratchgate controversy and why the scratching happens? iFixit has you covered.

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Price drop: Snag an M1 MacBook Air for just $385

This grade-A refurbished MacBook Air with an M1 chip inside is on sale for just $384.99. It's a reliable Mac you can take with you anywhere.

Customize artwork on an iPhone screen protector with Screen Skinz

Sure, iPhone cases let you personalize. But now screen protectors do, too.

You’ll never need to plug in Logitech’s new solar keyboard

The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 is powered by light, and it connects via Bluetooth, so no cables are ever needed.

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Save on Apple's official iPhone 17 cases

Find deals on a range of official Apple cases to protect your scratch-prone new iPhone 17. There are multiple designs and colors to choose.

WhatsApp makes cross-language chatting easier than ever

Meta is bringing message translations to WhatsApp with support for 19 languages, borrowing a feature from Apple’s Messages app.

Bodies rain from the sky in ‘Slow Horses’ season 5 [Now streaming!]

"Slow Horses" season 5 premieres on Apple TV+, bringing Gary Oldman's MI5 section chief Jackson Lamb and his hapless crew back.

Today in Apple history: Apple battles Eminem in court

On September 24, 2009, Apple lawyers headed to court to face music publisher Eight Mile Style after Eminem sued Apple over digital sales.

Cult of Mac’s Buyback program

With AirPods Pro 3 incoming, it’s a great time to sell your old AirPods

With AirPods Pro 3 on the way, this is the perfect time to sell your AirPods. Apple doesn't accept AirPods trade-ins, but we buy all models.

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Daily News for Curious Minds

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 4 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today.

Tweets of the day

Want to know if you can live with 1x camera on iPhone Air?

Create a new Smart Album in Mac Photos app, add these two filters for focal length and you'll see all the photos you've taken with the Telephoto and Ultra Wide lenses on 15 + 16 Pro Max. Over 1,000 pics + videos for me
— #Stephen Robles (#@stephenrobles)
10:38 PM • Sep 23, 2025

Current thickness measurement by Apple 🤣
— #I Hate Apple (#@iHateApplee)
8:05 AM • Sep 23, 2025

Fun Fact: The iPhone Air Battery Pack fits the iPhone 16e perfectly.
— #Beebom (#@beebomco)
12:17 PM • Sep 23, 2025

Wallpaper of the day

Tap, hold and load in 4K 🎨
— #Aesthetics 𝕏 (#@aestheticsguyy)
6:03 PM • Sep 23, 2025

One more thing ...

❝

When I realized that I was smarter than my parents, I felt tremendous shame for having thought that.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Which is more important to you in an iPhone?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Do you want background security updates?

Best reader comments

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