Apple’s new iPhone 17 might not have the ultra-slim allure of the iPhone Air or the powerhouse camera array of the iPhone 17 Pro, but reviewers agree: this is the iPhone most people should buy. At $799, the iPhone 17 finally brings long-awaited Pro features like ProMotion, Always-On display, upgraded dual 48MP cameras, and faster charging to Apple’s baseline model — all while doubling storage to 256GB at no extra cost.
Design and Display
The iPhone 17 doesn’t reinvent Apple’s design language, but it refines it. The aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield 2 protection make it more durable, while new colors like Sage, Lavender, and Mist Blue add a fresh look. As Eric Zeman of PCMag wrote, “It has one of the simplest and cleanest designs, elegantly blending Ceramic Shield glass and aluminum with subtle seams and a comfortable shape.”
The biggest change is on the front. Apple has finally upgraded its baseline iPhone to a 120Hz ProMotion panel with Always-On display support. Jacob Krol of TechRadar noted, “The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display is the star of the show. It’s punchy, sharp, and now buttery smooth thanks to ProMotion, plus you get Always-On functionality that’s actually useful day to day.”
Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET praised the visibility outdoors, writing, “The iPhone 17 also gets a higher 3,000-nit peak brightness and an anti-reflective coating that makes it easier to see in the bright outdoors. I didn’t have any issues looking at my screen even in peak daytime hours.”
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 debuts Apple’s new A19 chip. It’s not the A19 Pro found in the Air or Pro models, but reviewers say it delivers plenty of power. John Velasco of Tom’s Guide explained, “Benchmark tests reveal the A19’s improved performance… What I’m impressed more with is its GPU performance, averaging 130 fps in 3DMark, which makes the iPhone 17 handle ray tracing effects with ease.”
On the software side, iOS 26 launches with Liquid Glass, customizable icons, Live Translation, and new Apple Intelligence features. Zeman noted, “iOS 26 cleans up the Photos app, adds tools like polls to messaging, and expands Apple Intelligence… It’s flexible enough to let you personalize it to your tastes.”
Camera Upgrades
For the first time, both the main and ultra-wide cameras on the baseline iPhone are 48MP, a huge leap from the 12MP ultra-wide on last year’s iPhone 16. Krol highlighted the difference: “Both the main and ultra-wide are now 48MP, which means sharper, more color-accurate shots with less edge distortion.”
On the front, the new 18MP Center Stage selfie camera impressed Velasco: “Since it’s a square sensor, I can shoot in any orientation and get the same framing. It dynamically changes to fit all the people in the scene — it’s fun, useful, and less of a gimmick than the slofie.”
The new Dual Capture feature, which records video from both front and rear cameras, also stood out. Krol called it “a blast at concerts and ballgames,” while Al-Heeti noted it “makes concert videos a lot more fun.”
Battery and Charging
Apple doesn’t share exact battery sizes, but all reviewers agreed the iPhone 17 delivers reliable all-day life. In CNET’s endurance test, the iPhone 17 matched the iPhone 17 Pro, dropping only 2% in 45 minutes of mixed use. Al-Heeti confirmed, “The iPhone 17 can easily last a little over a day, even after snapping photos, scrolling through social media, texting and watching videos.”
Fast charging also got a boost. Velasco wrote, “Apple upgrades the iPhone 17’s charging speeds, with 35W wired charging getting its battery to 39% in 15 minutes — and then to 71% in 30 minutes. That’s a marked improvement over the iPhone 16.”
iPhone 17 vs iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro
| Feature | iPhone 17 ($799) | iPhone Air ($999) | iPhone 17 Pro ($1,099) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3″ OLED, 120Hz, Always-On | 6.5″ OLED, 120Hz, Always-On | 6.3″ OLED, 120Hz, Always-On |
| Chip | A19 | A19 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide | 48MP wide only | 48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage | 18MP Center Stage | 18MP Center Stage |
| Storage Options | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Battery & Charging | All-day, 35W fast charging | All-day, thinner cell, 30W fast charging | Longer life, 40W fast charging |
The table shows how the iPhone 17 balances value — offering both ProMotion and dual 48MP cameras at a lower cost than the Air or Pro.
Verdict
The consensus across reviews is clear: the iPhone 17 is Apple’s best baseline iPhone in years. Eric Zeman summed it up in PCMag: “The iPhone 17 is our Editors’ Choice winner and the best iPhone for most people.”
Krol agreed in TechRadar, writing, “This is the iPhone most people should buy, especially since it keeps the same starting price with double the storage.”
Al-Heeti concluded in CNET: “Improvements to the display and camera help the iPhone 17 feel like it’s really worth that $829 price.”
And Velasco of Tom’s Guide emphasized the value: “The iPhone 17 offers one of the best bang-for-the-buck deals in recent memory. You get double the storage, smoother 120Hz refresh, faster charging, and a larger display — all at the same $799 cost.”
For anyone with an iPhone 14 or older, the iPhone 17 is an easy recommendation. Even for those on iPhone 15 or 16, the upgrades make this year’s baseline model surprisingly hard to overlook.
