By
Jonathan Owen 
I have spent the past few days combing through hands-on reviews and lab tests to understand what Apple actually changed with the iPhone 17, and where it still falls short. The short version, it is the biggest step forward for a standard iPhone in years, chiefly because it finally gets the display tech and day-to-day polish that used to be reserved for the Pro line.
The change most people will feel immediately is the screen. The iPhone 17’s ProMotion panel is smooth, responsive, and finally brings always-on to the non-Pro model. As CNN Underscored puts it, “The iPhone 17 finally features the ProMotion display… bringing Apple’s basic phone up to speed”, which makes everyday scrolling feel markedly more fluid compared with the 60 Hz panels of previous base models (CNN Underscored, Mike Andronico). The display is also slightly larger at 6.3 inches and tougher thanks to Ceramic Shield 2, with a clear bump to outdoor visibility.
On performance, both reviewers and benchmarks suggest the A19 is more than enough for demanding daily use, creative apps, and modern games. CNN’s week-long test found the phone “as delightfully zippy as I’ve come to expect,” and even video editing exports held their own next to last year’s Pro. Battery life is a strong suit too. CNN measured 19 hours 10 minutes of continuous 4K playback, which edged out the 17 Pro in its testing. PCMag’s controlled streaming test was even higher at 24 hours 31 minutes, reinforcing the point that this is one of the longest-lasting standard iPhones to date (PCMag, Eric Zeman).
Apple upgraded both rear sensors to 48 MP and introduced an 18 MP selfie camera with a square sensor that enables Center Stage for auto-framing, plus Dual Capture for recording with front and rear cameras at the same time. CNN highlights that these are “launching across the entire iPhone 17 line… so you don’t need to pay a premium for this year’s coolest perk.” In bright light, image quality is excellent, colours are more natural than many rivals, and portrait shots look close to the pricier models. Low light is good, not class-leading, and the new ultrawide helps both dramatic 0.5x shots and macro.
Where things wobble is zoom. Without a telephoto lens, detail falls off beyond 2x and 3x. As CNN puts it bluntly, “Zoom photography continues to be the basic iPhone’s one big weakness.” If you regularly shoot concerts from the cheap seats or distant wildlife, you will notice the gap versus Pro models and some Android rivals.
Design is familiar, compact, and clean. PCMag notes the comfortable shape and matte glass, plus the Action button and the separate Camera Control remain handy. Connectivity is thoroughly modern, with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and comprehensive 5G support. One annoyance, the USB-C port on the standard model is still USB 2.0 for data, while the Pro line gets faster USB 3. If you transfer a lot of large video files by cable, that matters.
On the software side, iOS 26 adds the refreshed “Liquid Glass” look and expands Apple Intelligence features, while the always-on display finally unlocks a richer lock screen on the base iPhone. Long-term support is strong, and the out-of-box experience is polished.
If you are on an iPhone 15 or older, the iPhone 17 feels like a clear and immediate upgrade, mostly due to the ProMotion screen, the bigger battery feel, and the expanded camera toolkit. If you own a recent Pro and rely on optical zoom or faster wired data transfers, stick with Pro, or move to 17 Pro or Pro Max for the 4x or 8x optical-quality zoom and USB 3 speeds.
If you are choosing within the 2025 lineup, reviewers are aligned. PCMag calls it “the best iPhone for the money” and makes it an Editors’ Choice, praising its value, display, and endurance. CNN’s take is similar, noting it is “the most complete $800 phone Apple has ever made” for most people.
The iPhone 17 finally feels like the standard model that does not compromise on the day-to-day experience. You get a Pro-grade screen, strong battery life, class-leading performance, and genuinely useful camera features, all at the entry price point and with doubled base storage. Its main trade-off is predictable, zoom reach. If that is not central to how you shoot, this is the iPhone to buy in 2025.
Mike Andronico, CNN Underscored: “The iPhone 17 finally features the ProMotion display…”, and “Zoom photography continues to be the basic iPhone’s one big weakness.”
Eric Zeman, PCMag: Editors’ Choice verdict that it is “the best iPhone for the money,” plus battery and design findings.
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