My iPhone 14 Pro has been a dependable gadget, but it’s beginning to exhibit signs of aging. The screen scratches are becoming more apparent — I seriously need to stop stashing my keys in the same pocket — and a recent fall caused a slight dent in the aluminum casing.

Typically, this kind of wear would be bothersome. However, given that it occurred in September, the month of fresh iPhone releases, it felt like an indication to upgrade to the next latest iPhone, possibly the speculated iPhone Air. Surely, it should have a better camera system compared to the 14 Pro, right?

This made me an ideal audience for Apple’s iPhone 17 unveiling event. Unexpectedly, the new iPhone range made me less tempted to upgrade. The Pro and Air versions don’t attract me. In terms of design, they appear to be a downgrade, featuring unappealing bumps on the back that Apple refers to as a “plateau.”

It’s a strangely chosen phrase from a company typically meticulous with their language. It feels like Apple itself has plateaued with these so-called updates.

Apple is splitting us into Airheads and Pros

What’s the problem? If you aren’t interested in the iPhone 17 standard model or the more affordable iPhone SE, you are left with two choices: the Air and the Pro. Social media feedback indicates I’m not alone in feeling disenchanted by both.

The iPhone Air is remarkably slim, but its practicality is limited. I’m concerned that pulling it out might invite mockery from other iPhone users, marking me as an “Airhead.”

The primary issue? The camera. Yes, just a single lens. More lenses typically lead to superior quality, which is why the Pro variant boasts three. Even the basic iPhone 17 has two. The Air has as many lenses as an SE, despite Apple asserting that “machine learning” will improve photos (translated: your pictures might appear as if AI-generated).

That’s not the sole reason the Air appears to be a poor upgrade option. It possesses lesser battery life, requiring a supplementary $99 MagSafe battery for the same endurance as a Pro. Additionally, the pastel metal hues make it seem less premium than it actually is — unusual for Apple.

Who is the Air suited for? Fashion enthusiasts who desire a slim phone silhouette in their attire? Instagram influencers equating “slim” with “beautiful”? Or perhaps it’s a billionaire’s disposable phone?

That leaves the 17 Pro, which I wanted to appreciate. It has three 48-megapixel lenses! Only one of my 14 Pro’s lenses matches that specification. It includes a Vapor Chamber to keep parts cool, unlike my 14 Pro, which tends to overheat during app updates.

The 17 Pro is quicker with its A19 chip, 90% swifter than the 14 Pro, as per Apple. It features improved battery life; I could stream 33 hours of video without recharging. (I could do 23 hours on the 14 Pro, but I’ve never needed to, rendering that a pointless metric.)

All it needed was an adequate design. I would have welcomed the same aesthetic as the 14 Pro, with its tidy off-center square for the lenses. However, the design of the 17 Pro is, as many have noted on social media, simply unattractive. It merges a bulky camera plateau with an unconventional credit card shape in the MagSafe region.

Is this subtle advertising for the Apple credit card? Or is Apple promoting its MagSafe wallet cases that undermine the purpose of Apple Wallet?

The 17 Pro color selections are lackluster. If you adore Halloween and pumpkin spice lattes, the orange might appeal to you. I might appreciate the deep blue. But why shell out $1,200 plus tax to upgrade to something that is visually less attractive?

For the time being, I’ll conserve my funds. I’ll spend $100 on a new screen for the 14 Pro, tidy up the nick, and wait for the iPhone Pro 18 in September 2026 — hoping Apple’s design team exceeds its plateau by that time.

For additional Live Apple Event coverage, follow Mashable’s live blog for real-time updates on the iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3 launch.