iPhone 17 Review - Best in Years!

The iPhone 17 offers exceptional value this year, delivering a comprehensive upgrade with minimal compromises, making it highly recommendable for most users.

• iPhone 17 offers significant value with more storage and Pro-level display features.

• Major display upgrades include 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On, and PWM smoothing.

• Enhanced cameras, strong battery life, and Wi-Fi 7 modem deliver a highly capable experience.

The iPhone 17 is hailed as one of Apple's best value iPhones, boasting significant upgrades like a larger base storage of 256GB and the inclusion of 120Hz ProMotion and Always-On display on base models. Despite minor compromises such as USB 2.0 speeds and slightly less advanced cooling than Pro models, it provides a fast, reliable experience with excellent battery life and improved cameras. Its blend of performance, display enhancements, and affordability positions it as the top recommendation for many.

Key Upgrades and Value

• 00:00:57 The iPhone 17 marks a significant step forward in value, maintaining its price point while doubling base storage to 256GB and offering a 512GB option, eliminating the 128GB tier. This year's 'mist blue' color is a favorite, though slightly less vibrant than previous models, but the overall design remains familiar and dependable without significant compromise. USB-C is included, though it features slower 2.0 transfer speeds compared to Pro models.

Display Enhancements

• 00:03:17 The display receives substantial upgrades, now featuring a larger 6.3-inch screen. Critically, 120Hz ProMotion and an Always-On display, previously exclusive to Pro models, are now standard on the base iPhone 17, along with a bright 3000-nit panel. A new 'display pulse smoothing' option addresses Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) flickering, mitigating potential eye strain and headaches for sensitive users, albeit with a slight compromise at very low brightness levels.

Performance and Battery Life

• 00:05:45 The iPhone 17 features an A19 processor with 8GB of RAM, performing admirably in daily use and benchmarks, though it has less RAM and a non-Pro processor compared to Pro models. It manages heat well, staying cool even during intensive tasks, and offers a notable battery life increase to 3,692mAh, providing about six hours of real-world screen-on time, easily lasting a full day. Charging speeds are also boosted, achieving 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter or 30 minutes with a 30W MagSafe charger.

Camera and Connectivity

• 00:10:25 Both rear cameras (wide and ultrawide) are now 48 megapixels, aligning with Pro models across all sensors. The front-facing camera receives a significant upgrade to an 18-megapixel 'center stage' camera, enabling wider shots and dual recording capabilities. While lacking Pro-specific video features like ProRes or ProRAW, it maintains excellent stabilized video. The device uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 modem for 5G, with Pro models showing slightly better signal strength, but integrates Apple's new N1 Wi-Fi 7 modem, offering fast and stable wireless connectivity.