iPhone 17 Pro ProRes RAW: Game-Changer or Overhyped?

The iPhone 17 Pro may look like another yearly update with small tweaks to the cameras, display, and battery — but for filmmakers and creators, there’s really just one feature that matters: ProRes RAW recording.

In this video, I explain why ProRes RAW on the iPhone is such a big deal, the long history of RAW patents that shaped this moment, and how the footage works in Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.

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🔹 Why ProRes RAW Matters
• RAW has been standard in still photography for decades, giving maximum flexibility in post.
• For video, compressed RAW was locked down by RED’s patent, forcing most cameras to avoid in-camera RAW unless they paid huge license fees.
• That’s why for years we only had RAW via CinemaDNG sequences or external recorders.
• Nikon’s purchase of RED may change things, but for now Apple had to compromise: ProRes RAW recording is here, but only to an external device, not internally on the iPhone.

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🔹 What This Means for iPhone 17 Pro Owners
• You can now shoot ProRes RAW externally via USB-C into supported recorders.
• Internally, you’re still limited to ProRes 422 or H.264/H.265.
• Apple clearly wanted to allow RAW recording straight to the phone’s storage (including the 2TB Max models), but patent restrictions mean it can’t happen.
• Still, the ability to shoot RAW at all is a game-changer for creative flexibility — better dynamic range, easier camera matching, and more grading potential.

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🔹 Workflow Demonstrated in This Video

1. Final Cut Pro X
   • Works seamlessly with ProRes RAW, offering ISO, exposure, and white balance adjustments.
   • Can switch between Rec.709 and Apple Log workflows.
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
   • Limited RAW controls at present.
   • Converts footage into Rec.709 or BT.2020, but lacks proper Apple Log support (likely to be added in future updates).
3. DaVinci Resolve
   • Full control with RAW debayer settings, color space transforms, and grading workflows.
   • Options for DaVinci Color Management and ACES, giving professional-level grading flexibility.
   • Shows how to expand dynamic range, adjust saturation/contrast, and build proper node-based workflows.

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🔹 Why Only “One Thing” Matters
• Every other upgrade — better screen, slightly improved cameras, longer battery life — is incremental.
• The only compelling reason to upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro is if you want to shoot ProRes RAW.
• For filmmakers, this could make the iPhone a viable crash cam or B-camera, easier to match to pro cameras like Canon or Sony thanks to RAW flexibility.
• For casual users, it’s just another iPhone.

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💡 Key Takeaways
• ProRes RAW is the breakthrough, but only via external recorders due to licensing.
• You get more dynamic range, more grading latitude, and easier camera matching.
• Final Cut offers the smoothest workflow, Premiere is limited, and Resolve gives the most professional control.
• This makes the iPhone 17 Pro a serious creative tool — but only if RAW recording is something you actually need.

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📌 Who This Is For
• Filmmakers exploring iPhone RAW workflows.
• Colorists testing Apple ProRes RAW in Resolve.
• Content creators needing more flexibility than standard ProRes or H.264/H.265.
• Anyone wondering if the iPhone 17 Pro is worth upgrading to.

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