Apple announced the iPhone 17 lineup today, and while much of the buzz is around design changes and new features for everyday consumers, there are also practical improvements that matter to those who work outdoors at quarries, batch plants, and construction sites. For SR Measure and Stockpile Reports users, these upgrades translate into better measurement performance, a more durable device in the field, and poises the industry for eventual stockpile AI applications.
Here are the highlights we’re excited about from each iPhone model.
iPhone 17: The Field-Ready Workhorse
The entry level iPhone 17 has lost its reputation as the “entry-level” option for those who want to save a few dollars. Here are the top new features that will make a difference for site operators:
Brighter Display Outdoors
The iPhone 17 features a 3,000 nit peak brightness display, which is 50 percent brighter than the iPhone 16 outdoors. For anyone standing in full sun measuring a stockpile, this upgrade solves one of the biggest frustrations: a screen that’s hard to see. With the iPhone 17, results remain visible and clear even in bright daylight.
Faster On-Device Processing
Powered by a processor 40 percent faster than the iPhone 15, on-device processing for stockpile measurements will be noticeably quicker. Less waiting means more efficiency in the field, especially when multiple piles need to be measured.
Improved Camera
The new camera packs 4x more pixels, capturing greater detail when measuring piles. This is especially valuable for sand and other fine materials where there isn’t much pile detail for the app to detect.
iPhone Air – Pro Power Without the Size
The brand-new iPhone Air brings Pro-level performance into a thinner, lighter package. For operators, this could be the balance between portability and power. Here are the top features:
Pro-Level Speed
With the same processor as the iPhone 17 Pro, it’s 20% faster than the iPhone 15 Pro. the Air delivers top-tier performance without the extra weight. While an iPhone isn’t a large tool, the lighter weight is noticeable while holding the phone out to measure a stockpile.
Durability With a Caveat
Apple claims a new coating makes the Air “super durable.” While that sounds promising, we’ll wait to see how it holds up in the rugged conditions of quarries and material sites.
Long Battery Life
Despite being the smallest iPhone which means smallest battery, Apple made major strides with efficiency. Expect all day battery life, just like the full featured Pro phones. You do not have to compromise size with battery life.
iPhone 17 Pro: Built for Power Users
The iPhone 17 Pro model continue to lead with advanced features, designed for sustained performance and cutting-edge capability. For operators who use their phone all day, this is the best device on the market.
Vapor Chamber Cooling for Sustained Performance
The Pro’s new vapor chamber design uses deionized water to dissipate heat from the A19 Pro chip. Sounds fancy, right? This means the phone keeps it’s chips cooler which translates to your phone working at it’s maximum performance longer, perfect for those days where you need to measure stockpiles in the hot weather.
Bigger Screens for Better Viewing
The Pro lineup offers displays up to 6.9″ on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, giving operators more screen real estate for reviewing results and site data. Combined with 3,000-nit brightness, it’s the most readable outdoor display you can buy. Aside from SR Measure, the large screen is also great other daily on the job uses such as sending emails.
AI Enable for the Future
The A19 Pro chip introduces powerful new AI capabilities. While Stockpile Reports doesn’t yet tap into them, they open the door for future Stockpile AI features—from predictive insights that anticipate site needs to smarter, more automated stockpile measurements. In other words, you’re carrying a smartphone with the computing power of a high-end Apple laptop, purpose-built for the next wave of AI tools in the field.
Conclusion
The iPhone 17 lineup offers meaningful upgrades for operators: brighter outdoor screens, faster processors, improved cameras, and better battery life depending on the model.
We haven’t field-tested these devices yet, so we’re not recommending a specific model today. But with Apple’s buy-back incentive program, now may be the perfect time to upgrade to a phone that makes your work easier and more reliable in the field. And looking ahead, these devices also set the stage for what’s next, when Stockpile AI comes to SR Measure, you’ll already have the hardware built to handle it.