Team No Pro Phone: I think they should get rid of Pro Phones and have all of the features on one phone they release once a year.

Team Pro Phone: I think they should leave it as it is, Pro and Non-Pro, not everyone wants all those features.

Where do you lie in the debate?

Each year we all clamber on to “Pro” features on Pro or Ultra phones, that either the widen or narrow the gap between their non-Pro and Pro phones. But what makes a phone pro and should the day of the pro phone come to an end?

Every year there are more and more phones that claim to be pro, such as the iPhone 15 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Google Pixel 8 Pro and many more, but what does Pro actually mean? And are these phones really worth buying? Or are they just overpriced and overhyped?

As different users may have different expectations and preferences for their phones, there will probably never be a right answer to this. But for me, the criteria that I think are important to evaluate whether a phone should be deemed as “Pro” or “Not Pro” are:

• The performance and capabilities of the processor, the memory, storage, and the battery.
• The quality and features of the display and the camera.
• The design and durability of the body, screen, and ports.

The “Pro” and “Ultra” in phone names does not necessarily mean “professional” in the strict sense of the word, they are mostly marketing terms used by Apple, Samsung, Google and others, solely to indicate that their devices have some extra features or capabilities compared to their standard non-Pro Phones.

Apple “Pro”

For Apple, Pro means its iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max having (compared to the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus):

ProMotion Technology, the Always-On display, the action button, a better chip with better performance and an extra GPU core in the A17 Pro chip, a telephoto lens meaning better optical zoom options, advanced video and photography camera features, better battery life, faster transfer speeds, a stronger titanium build, higher storage options and better connectivity.

Samsung “Ultra”

For Samsung, Ultra means the Galaxy S23 Ultra (compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23) is:

Optimised for immersive gaming, with a bigger phone with a larger screen, a wider adaptive refresh rate range, higher storage options, a greater mega pixel camera with increased digital and optical zoom, a bigger battery and the S-Pen.

Google “Pro”

For Google, Pro means the Pixel 8 Pro (compared to the Google Pixel 8) is:

Is the larger phone with a larger display that features updated screen protection, higher peak brightness, a wider smooth display refresh rate range, a bigger battery, a larger memory and storage options and better camera features with a better auto focus sensor on the wide camera, a higher mega pixel ultra wide camera and the additional telephoto camera.

So, just from these simple comparisons between their Pro and Non-Pro phones, you can see the differences between how Apple, Samsung and Google define what makes their Pro or Ultra phone ‘Pro’.

But these terms are also meant to appeal to us, the buyers, who want the best of the best, or who associate “Pro” and “Ultra” with premium quality and status.

Whether we are Apple or Android fans, we can all honestly admit that all “Pro” and “Ultra” phones these days are pretty impressive in terms of performance and quality, and if we do nit pick between features on one phone that’s not on another or whether Apple have taken a feature that’s been on Android phones for years and vice versa they are only small things.

They can all generally handle demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing and multitasking without lagging or overheating.

They all have high-resolution displays that can produce vivid colours, sharp details, and smooth animations. They have versatile camera systems that can capture stunning photos and videos in various modes and conditions. They have sleek and ergonomic designs that are comfortable to hold and use for the majority of users.

They have durable bodies that can resist scratches, dents, and drops but that doesn’t mean that they can’t break from the slightest innocuous fall.

They have convenient ports that can support fast charging, data transfer, and accessories. They have user-friendly and reliable operating systems that can offer smooth navigation, customisation, and updates.

They have access to a wide range of apps that can enhance the functionality and productivity of the devices. And they have secure biometric systems that can protect the user’s data and privacy.

So, these phones are definitely pro in terms of their features and capabilities, but you might be thinking, don’t the non-pro phones share many of these characteristics as well.

But does that still mean they are worth buying? Well, that depends on your perspective.

Many people have called for an end to the “Pro” phone era and demanding some of those “Pro” features be put on the non-Pro phones.

Pro vs Non-Pro Phone Debate

What are some of the most popular arguments on both sides of the Pro and Non-Pro debate.

Arguments for ending the pro phone era:

• The pro phone is too expensive and not worth the extra cost for most users. The average price of a pro phone is around $1000 or more, which is significantly higher than the price of a non-Pro. Most users may not need or use all the features and capabilities of a pro phone. Therefore, they may be better off saving money and buying a cheaper phone that can still meet their basic needs.
• The pro phone is too similar to the non-pro in terms of performance and quality. The gap between the two has been narrowing over the years, as technology advances and becomes more accessible. Many non-Pro can now offer comparable or even superior performance and quality to some pro phones in certain aspects. Therefore, there may not be much difference or advantage in buying a pro phone over a standard or budget phone.
• The pro phone is too complicated and overwhelming for most users. The pro phone often has many features and settings that can be confusing or intimidating for most users, especially those who are not tech-savvy or experienced. For example, some pro phones have multiple cameras with different lenses and modes that require manual adjustment, or advanced software tools that require technical knowledge. Therefore, most users may prefer a simpler and easier-to-use phone that can still perform well.
• Loads of budget Android phones have higher refresh rates but these non-Pro iPhones are stuck at 60Hz, a higher refresh rate would make the user experience more smooth and responsive, especially for scrolling, gaming, and watching videos. Which would enhance the overall quality and performance of the iPhone, and make it more competitive those Android phones that offer higher refresh rates. A higher refresh rate would also enable ProMotion technology on the non-pro iPhones, which is a feature that dynamically adjusts the refresh rate based on the content being displayed. This could save battery life by lowering the refresh rate when it is not needed, such as for static images or text.

Some arguments for continuing the pro phone era:

• The pro phone is worth the extra cost for some users who value performance and quality. Some users may have specific needs or preferences that require a high-end device with superior performance and quality. Some users may be professional photographers or videographers who need a powerful camera system with various options, or gamers who need a fast processor with high graphics capabilities. These people, may be willing to pay more for a pro phone that can satisfy their demands.
• The pro phone is still different from the standard or budget phone in terms of innovation and exclusivity. The pro phone often has features and technologies that are not available or common in non-Pro, as it represents the cutting-edge of innovation in the industry. Some pro phones have unique or novel features such as a foldable screen, a larger zoom capability, or a special scanner like LiDar or a temperature sensor. Therefore, there may be some value and appeal in buying a pro phone that can offer something new or different.
• The pro phone is not too complicated and overwhelming for most users who are willing to learn and explore. The pro phone may have many features and settings that can be challenging or daunting for most users, but it can also be rewarding and fun for those who are curious and adventurous. Some pro phones have features and tools that can enable users to create or edit amazing content, or customise or optimise their device. Therefore, most users may enjoy a more versatile and powerful phone that can expand their possibilities and potentials.
• A higher refresh rate would increase the cost and price of the non-pro iPhones, which are meant to be more affordable and accessible to a wider range of customers. Apple may want to keep the higher refresh rate as a premium feature that differentiates the Pro models from the standard ones, and gives consumers an incentive to upgrade. Maybe putting a better display with a higher refresh rate is more expensive, it is called ProMotion after all, ProMotion on a Pro phone, Apple would have to call it something else if it was on the non-Pro phones. A higher refresh rate would also consume more battery power, which could reduce the battery life and performance of the non-pro iPhones. Anyway, a higher refresh rate may not be necessary or noticeable for most users, who just don’t care much about the smoothness or responsiveness of the display. And as Apple focus on other aspects of the user experience, such as the camera, the design, and the appearance. Most customers don’t talk about high-refresh rate displays in real life. We all know that Apple has never really been a spec chaser, it’s more about the experience.

I think having the Pro and Non-Pro versions of phones is a good thing. It allows you to choose a phone that suits your budget, needs, and preferences. Phones are no different to other things that you can buy, like cars. Different cars, and even their models, have different prices, features, and designs, so you can compare and contrast them to find the best one for you, phones are exactly the same.

If you want a big phone with a high-end camera and performance, you might opt for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Google Pixel 8 Pro. If you want a smaller phone with a lower price and a simpler design, you might go for the iPhone 15, Galaxy S23 or the Google Pixel 8.

We moan about brands becoming too similar or the lack of a different feature set with year on year phone generations, but this way, you can enjoy the benefits of competition and innovation within the smartphone market. Yes, every year we’ll not going to be hearing about the greatest, eye opening features on this year’s phone compared to last year’s version and, yes, sometimes it might be a little bit boring. It could even be argued that the tech advancement in mobile phones is slowing down, which might lead to a point where we don’t get these year on year upgrade events, until that point we find that next big thing.

But having options to buying pro and non-pro phones means that different manufacturers have to compete with each other to offer the best products and services to you. Which lead’s to more innovation, quality, and a variety in the smartphone industry and even amongst their own line ups.

In the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung introduced the S Pen to differentiate it from other phones and appeal to users who want more productivity and creativity features, that’s the sort of innovation that having Pro and Non-Pro phones does.

So, what do you think? Do you agree or disagree the Pro Non-Pro debate? Do you own a pro phone or are you planning to buy one? Or do you think the pro phone is overrated and unnecessary?

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