Quick Answer
The iPhone 17 brings Pro features to the standard model. It includes a 120Hz ProMotion display, excellent battery life and new camera tricks like Center Stage and Dual Capture. At $799, it delivers 90% of the Pro experience at a much lower price. The only real compromise is zoom photography.
Key Takeaways
- First standard iPhone with smooth 120Hz ProMotion display
- A19 chip delivers performance close to Pro models
- Excellent battery life (19+ hours in testing)
- New Center Stage selfie camera adjusts to fit everyone
- Dual Capture films from front and rear cameras simultaneously
- Main weakness is zoom photography compared to competitors
- Bigger 6.3-inch screen with better outdoor brightness
What Makes the iPhone 17 Special?
The Screen: Finally Pro-Level
The biggest upgrade to the iPhone 17 is its display. For years, Apple reserved its smooth 120Hz ProMotion technology for the Pro models. It leaves standard iPhone users with basic 60Hz screens that feel increasingly dated compared to similarly priced Android phones.
That changes with the iPhone 17. Apple brings ProMotion to the standard model and the jump is clear right away. Scrolling feels twice as smooth. App swaps feel fast and clean. You also get an always-on display, so you can glance at time and alerts without waking the phone.
There’s more. The screen now measures 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 on iPhone 16. Outdoor brightness reaches up to 3,000 nits, so text and maps stay easy to read in bright sun. The iPhone family has evolved dramatically since the first model launched in 2007.
The display also adds Ceramic Shield 2. Apple says it brings three times better scratch resistance than before. That extra guard helps if you skip a case or toss your phone in a pocket with keys and coins.
Performance: A19 Power Without Pro Prices
The A19 chip in iPhone 17 runs near the A19 Pro found in pricier models. In benchmark tests, scores sit close to the iPhone Air with A19 Pro and just a touch under the 17 Pro line.
Day to day, it feels instant. Jump between Instagram, Spotify, messages and games with no lag. Even demanding titles like Resident Evil 4 stay smooth. Editing clips in CapCut feels quick. Before this same work used to need Pro hardware.
Apple notes that the A19 chip handles advanced features like Live Translation and Image Playground without breaking a sweat. It makes the standard iPhone 17 ready for the AI era.
Battery Life: All-Day and Then Some
Battery life is another strong win.It reached about 19 hours and 10 minutes in a video playback testing. That beats the iPhone Air at 13:29 and even the iPhone 17 Pro at 18:45. Only the Pro Max at 21:44 lasted longer.
This is roughly a four-hour gain over iPhone 16. For most people, that means a full day of heavy use. You can also stretch into a second day if you are doing lighter use.
Charging stays quick. You can hit 50% in about 20 minutes with a 40W adapter. Even a short 10-minute top-up can add around 8 hours of video play.
How It Compares to the Competition
The iPhone 17 aims at the main flagship spot. Its rivals are Google Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S25. At $799, it matches the Pixel 10 on price yet pulls ahead on app ecosystem, speed and video capture.
The Pixel 10 fights back with stronger zoom photos and some extra AI tricks. The Galaxy S25 offers a bit more battery life. But it often costs more.
IPhone 17 sits between the thin iPhone Air at $999 and the iPhone 17 Pro at $999, with Pro Max at $1,199 inside the Apple’s range. The iPhone 17 hits the sweet spot on features and price for many buyers
Should You Upgrade?
If you use an iPhone 15 or older, the upgrade makes clear sense. ProMotion alone changes how the phone feels. Add the speed and camera gains and you get real value.
Even iPhone 16 owners may feel tempted. ProMotion, better battery life and new camera tools like Center Stage and Dual Capture add up.
For Pro users considering a downgrade to save money, the iPhone 17 makes a convincing case. Unless you need the absolute best camera zoom or shoot a lot of professional video, the standard model now delivers most of what made the Pro models special.
Conclusion
The iPhone 17 is Apple’s most compelling standard model in years. It brings ProMotion, fast performance, long battery life and fresh camera features to the $799 tier. For many, this is the phone to get and keep.
The gap to the Pro line has narrowed a lot. That’s a win for buyers, because the iPhone 17 gives a premium feel without the higher price.
Unless you need max zoom or the longest battery of all, the iPhone 17 is the iPhone most people should buy in 2025.