Apple has announced its new lineup of iPhones, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. These are, of course, the most powerful iPhones to date and include many exciting new features, which Apple claims make it the biggest leap ever for the iPhone. However, is it enough to justify upgrading from last year’s model? Read more about what makes these devices so special below.
Release Date & Pricing
Availability
- Pre-order September 12
- Available September 19
Pricing
As for pricing, the new iPhones will cost the same as the previous generation:
- iPhone 17: Starts at $799 for 256 GB of storage
- iPhone 17 Pro: Starts at $1,099 for 256 GB of storage
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Starts at $1,199 for 256 GB of storage
US-based customers can get up to $1100 trade-in credit when trading in an iPhone 13 Pro or newer.
Size & Colors
The base iPhone 17 technically maintains the same display size as the iPhone 16 at 6.3 inches, though the borders are smaller, resulting in more screen real estate. The display has also been upgraded with ProMotion, a feature previously only available to Pro iPhones. ProMotion allows the screen to refresh up to 120Hz, whereas previous iPhones were limited to 60Hz.
Both models of the iPhone 17 Pro will also maintain the same display size as the previous generation, at 6.3 inches for the Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max. However, the back of the Pro models will be slightly different, featuring a glass/aluminum hybrid and an expanded camera bump, which Apple has dubbed “the plateau.”
As for colors, the iPhone 17 will be available in lavender, mist blue, sage, white, and black. On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will be available in silver, deep blue, and cosmic orange.
Capture More Than Ever Before
The main draw of the iPhone 17 is going to be its cameras. The new iPhone sports a Dual Fusion camera, which utilizes a main camera to capture detail and allows up to 2x zoom. Meanwhile, the ultra-wide camera can be used for macrophotography and capturing wider angles. Whereas previous generations have opted for a lower 12 MP wide-angle camera, this year’s iPhone cameras are both 48 MP, which means you’ll be able to capture photos at a higher resolution than ever before.
Meanwhile, the front-facing camera has been improved with a new sensor, which Apple is calling the “Center Stage” camera (you may be familiar with the Center Stage feature, which is already available on some iPads and Macs). Not only has the resolution been bumped up from 12 MP to 18 MP, but thanks to the new sensor, the Center Stage camera can capture wider angles than before, and even take landscape photos without you needing to turn your iPhone sideways. Plus, Apple Intelligence will be able to intelligently expand the field of view and swap between portrait and landscape depending on the photo you’re taking.
With this new camera system, you’ll also be able to use Dual Capture video, which allows you to record video from both the rear and front-facing cameras at the same time. This works in the Camera app, FaceTime, and supported third-party apps.
Bigger Batteries Mean Longer Lasting iPhones
The iPhone 17 boasts a bigger battery, which Apple claims offers up to 30 hours of video playback. Of course, battery life varies significantly based on each person’s individual usage, so it’s hard to know for sure how long your battery will last on a daily basis. However, the iPhone 17 is also advertised as having “all-day” battery life, thanks to the enhanced performance of the A19 chip. So, presumably, you will be able to use the device without needing to charge it all day. On top of that, the device is said to be able to charge up to 50% in 20 minutes when used with Apple’s new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max.
So, Why Get the Pro over the Base iPhone 17?
In addition to the above features, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have some advantages over the base model phone. If you take a lot of photos with your iPhone, the new Pro camera system will certainly pique your interest with its three 48 MP lenses. The Telephoto lens supports up to 8x optical zoom, a sizeable upgrade from the 5x optical zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. The digital zoom has also increased to 40x.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max also include a new thermal management system thanks to a vapor chamber, which contains deionized water that evenly distributes heat throughout the device. This means the iPhone 17 Pro shouldn’t be prone to overheating like previous iPhones, and it should maintain a comfortable temperature while you’re holding it.
As for battery life, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are both fitted with an A19 Pro chip, which optimizes performance, allowing for “all-day” battery life just like the base iPhone 17. The Pro offers 33 hours of video playback, while the Pro Max can get you 39 hours of video playback.
Is the iPhone 17 Worth the Upgrade?
There are several factors to consider when upgrading your iPhone. If better cameras and a bigger battery are important to you, this could be the best iPhone ever, especially if you opt to go for one of the Pro models. The cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are unmatched. And if the “all-day” battery works as advertised, it would be a huge bonus to not have to charge your phone until the end of the day.
Personally, I am someone who does not take a lot of photos with my iPhone. I recognize I might be in the minority in that, but there’s just not enough here to justify an upgrade for me, especially when the iPhone 15 Pro, which I am currently using, also has a 48 MP main camera. Its two additional cameras might only be 12 MP, but that’s enough for me right now. However, you might be different. The new camera improvements alone will be enough to entice many to upgrade, and if that’s you, you can’t go wrong with any of the devices in the iPhone 17 lineup.
Keep in mind, however, that a bigger battery means a thicker phone. If thinness is important to you, Apple’s new iPhone Air might just be what you’re looking for.
