Tested: The iPhone 17 is the low-key MVP of this year’s Apple line-up

Price at Review

Starting at $799

Current Best Prices: Apple iPhone 17

Not every iPhone release is equally compelling. For those who don’t upgrade annually, certain versions may be less enticing, while others deliver valuable upgrades.

The upcoming iPhone 16, for instance, lacked standout features. Aside from a solid camera enhancement, its innovations centered primarily around Apple Intelligence, and not all were well-received.

Conversely, for the baseline iPhone model, 2025 proves to be a standout year. With noteworthy upgrades introduced, Apple confidently equipped its base variant with enhancements, knowing that die-hard fans would still gravitate toward the higher-priced options.

If you’re after quality over quantity, the iPhone 17 delivers exceptional value at £799/$799.

Design and Aesthetics

• Maintains size but features a larger display than last year’s model
• Enhanced screen durability
• Available in five appealing color choices

Truth be told, the iPhone 17 closely resembles its predecessor, the iPhone 16—an appearance that feels familiar for anyone who’s observed the line in recent months.

Apple continues to refine its base model design, capitalizing on a classic and refined aesthetic. This iteration introduces five new color selections that lean towards sophistication: black, white, mist blue, lavender, and a fan-favorite sage green.

Having the white version for testing, it’s undeniably stylish. However, it presents a unique challenge in photography; its matte, dyed glass back creates odd ghostly images that resemble spectral sightings.

The dimensions of the iPhone 17 remain unchanged (149.6mm x 71.5mm x 7.95mm) compared to its predecessor, featuring the same matte aluminum frame and rounded corners. The screen has slightly grown from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, reducing bezel width and aligning it more closely with Android counterparts like the Pixel 10.

Apple asserts its ceramic shield offers threefold scratch resistance over last year’s model, allowing me to gamble life without a screen protector. Despite some impacts, my screen remains unscathed.

However, the back glass lacks ceramic shielding, which is one reason I always advocate for a case. Currently, I’m using an official Apple silicone case with MagSafe in a vibrant neon yellow. However, it feels a tad overpriced (£49.99/$49.99).

Additionally, the back glass can be quite slick, making it easy to drop unless held firmly. The phone weighs a manageable 177g, making it just right for those who prefer a compact device.

It’s just the right size to fit in an evening bag or most pockets, ample for video watching without being overly cumbersome.

Excess buttons may prove unnecessary

Apple claims the iPhone 17 is water-resistant up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, but I have no intention of testing this theory. Its IP68 rating ensures it can withstand immersion in 1.5m of freshwater and is completely dustproof.

Including five physical side buttons, the left side houses two for volume, and above them, the Action button, allowing for silent mode, focus mode activation, or even Shazaming music—an excellent function. On the right, the Side button powers down or activates Siri, followed by the Camera Control button for quick access.

While I’m not particularly fond of the camera button’s placement—personal bias since I’m left-handed—my right-handed peers also don’t seem overly excited about it. Indeed, one could argue there are too many buttons, especially considering programmable accessibility options like back taps, but if they aren’t useful to you, they can be disabled.

For those who utilize haptics during calls or alerts, the feedback is well-calibrated and robust enough to alert from pockets or surfaces.

Display and Audio

• Always-On display feature
• Peak brightness of 3,000 nits
• 120Hz refresh capability

This year, significant upgrades were made to the display and interactivity.

The Super Retina XDR display remains a high-quality OLED panel, offering a vibrant viewing experience with excellent color fidelity.

Its typical brightness remains at 1,000 nits with HDR reaching 1,600 nits. However, the peak outdoor brightness now hits 3,000 nits, enhancing usability in bright conditions.

Having transitioned from an iPhone 14 that peaked at 1,200 nits, this upgrade makes a marked difference when outdoors.

The refresh rate now includes ProMotion technology, with adaptive rates reaching 120Hz for the first time in the base model.

If you’ve switched from a 60Hz display, expect a smoother, more responsive experience. Gamers will particularly appreciate reduced stuttering and lag, while scrolling also feels more natural.

This improvement makes it one less thing for my Android-using colleagues to tease me about, with 120Hz now the norm across flagship and mid-tier Android devices.

Peaking at 3,000 nits is a significant advancement

ProMotion also introduces the Always-On display, allowing users to view time and notifications effortlessly. However, it does require discipline to avoid the temptation of frequently reaching for the phone. The feature can easily be disabled in Settings if desired.

Another highlight is Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped interactive element at the screen’s top, which aids in Face ID and provides controls and notifications for various apps without any extra effort.

In terms of audio, the iPhone 17 boasts high-quality speakers that deliver clear sound during calls and videos, sufficient for casual music listening — though deep bass enthusiasts may want to look elsewhere.

Specifications and Performance

• Powered by the Apple A19 chip
• Available storage options: 256GB/512GB

This year, the iPhone 17 sees a significant upgrade to the A19 chip, a 3nm processor featuring a 5-core GPU.

The A19 chip performance is comparable to or exceeds the A18 Pro found in last year’s Pro models, underlining the iPhone’s value.

This year’s Air and Pro models are equipped with the A19 Pro, creating uniformity across the lineup.

This device excels in multitasking

User experience remains fluid and uninterrupted during scrolling and gaming. While larger games like Genshin Impact may heat the device slightly, the temperature remains manageable, and casual gaming is effortless.

With hardware-accelerated ray tracing, graphics-heavy titles render more deeply without stuttering.

As a multitasking champ, I can manage numerous applications simultaneously without issues or crashes, enhancing work efficiency.

This year, the base model starts at 256GB, with an upgrade option to 512GB for £999/$999.

iPhone 17 Performance Benchmarks

Camera System

• 48Mp primary and 48Mp ultra-wide rear lenses
• 18Mp front-facing camera
• Centre Stage and Dual Capture capabilities

The camera configuration mirrors last year’s setup, maintaining a tidy dual-lens array traditionally found on the top left. Its arrangement is preferable to the troublesome diagonal setup of the iPhone 15. However, users without a case may notice an annoying wobble when resting the phone on a flat surface.

Improvements have been made in terms of specifications and capability. The primary 48Mp camera remains unchanged, but the ultrawide shot gains an upgrade from 12Mp to 48Mp, enhancing detail capture. This is beneficial for macro photography and producing print-quality images.

With a 120° field of view and a 13mm focal length, the ultrawide surpasses the main lens’ 75° coverage and 26mm range. Switching to ultrawide is as simple as tapping 0.5x on the focal options.

In previous reviews, the camera’s default settings have sparked concerns; they are buried within the main iPhone settings rather than being easily accessible in the camera app.

The iPhone camera is designed for users like me—those who may not have an in-depth understanding of photography but expect excellent image quality at a glance.

Overall, the iPhone 17 produces superb color accuracy, with minimal over-processing typical in many shots.

In Portrait mode, expect flattering images, with adjustable bokeh depth if the backdrop lacks contrast.

For macro shots, simply approach a flower, and the system activates, capturing delicate details of the bloom.

This camera suits those who aren’t seasoned photographers

However, low-light capabilities are still lacking compared to expectations. They have improved since the iPhone 14, which produced grainy results, but photographing urban environments with light pollution can yield unnatural gray casts. Yet, clarity has increased compared to earlier models.

The optical zoom range, offering 4x capabilities from 0.5x to 2x, underwhelms in low-light scenarios, producing slightly blurred shots that likely won’t make the cut for favorites.

Digital zoom can extend this to 10x, achieved through enlarging and cropping images rather than utilizing the lens effectively. Frequent concert-goers desiring clear long-range captures may need to invest in the iPhone 17 Pro or an alternate high-quality camera device.

Recognizing user demographics, Apple has integrated appealing features for the selfie camera.

Introducing Centre Stage to the front camera, a larger square sensor enables the iPhone’s processing to keep users front and center without needing to shift orientation for group selfies.

This technology works well, although not as dynamically as indicated in promotional materials. A new video feature, Dual Capture, allows both your view and personal reaction to be recorded simultaneously—ideal for events)

Though I might not personally use this feature, I’ve noticed it trending on social media platforms.

Battery and Charging

• 30 hours of video playback capability
• Compatible with MagSafe charging

Apple touts an increase in video watching capacity to 30 hours for the iPhone 17, a significant hike from the 22 hours seen previously.

As a heavy daily user, my phone routine includes perusing news, Slack for work, and music while I navigate my day. After evening runs, I rely on it for fitness tracking and spend some time scrolling before sleep.

During weekends, two days of usage is achievable with casual use

Despite extensive use, the iPhone 17 comfortably lasts a full day without recharging.

On weekends, with reduced interaction, I can stretch usage close to two days before needing to reconnect to a power source. The device comes with a USB-C charging cable, though no adapter is included.

Transitioning from Lightning to USB-C represents a monumental improvement. While I usually avoided proprietary solutions, this change is very welcome compared to the previous standard.

Moreover, the iPhone 17 supports wireless charging through MagSafe as well as Qi2 charging, leading the charge in this technology.

Apple claims the device can hit 50% charge in just 20 minutes with a compatible 40W adapter. Testing with my older gear achieved 48% in about half an hour. I intend to update this review with results from a modern 40W adapter soon.

Meanwhile, you can check out the iPhone 17 review by my colleague David Price in our sister publication Macworld, who managed to confirm the 50% in 20 minutes assertion.

Operating System and Features

• Operating on iOS 26
• AI functionality varies in effectiveness

The iPhone 17 utilizes the newly launched iOS 26, showcasing the Liquid Glass redesign. Despite being one of Apple’s largest UI overhauls since iOS 7, its impact has quickly blended into everyday use.

This is not necessarily bad; I prefer interfaces that aren’t overly disruptive. My main annoyance stems from some third-party apps, which over-optimized for the new design, one such app being Slack, showcasing an annoyingly vibrant text box during use.

I find it easier to maintain a distance with Siri these days

Customizations for the lock and home screens provide enjoyable options, though I suspect many will opt for default icons rather than experimenting with tinted choices.

Minor upgrades, like altering the default snooze duration, prove useful too.

The AI features have displayed a mixed performance. Initially impressed with Apple Music’s AutoMix for seamless transitions, I had to deactivate it after several disjointed mixes.

Conversely, the Image Clean Up option is helpful when not overstretched, while voicemail transcriptions err on the side of accuracy or alarming misinterpretations. As for Siri, I prefer keeping a distance from asking her anything; our relationship thrives on minimal interaction.

Apple commits to providing software updates and security patches for at least five years, potentially extending up to seven.

Cost and Procurement

Apple maintains the iPhone 17’s pricing in line with its predecessor, but it offers greater value.

At £799/$799, the base model includes 256GB of storage, with 512GB available for £999/$999. This is a considerable improvement over last year’s model, as 128GB was the maximum for the same price, with higher capacities priced at £899/$899 and £1,099/$1,099 for 256GB and 512GB, respectively.

This pricing strategy places the iPhone 17 at a competitive stance against the Google Pixel 10. Should you find yourself on the fence, consider reviewing our comparison between Pixel 10 and iPhone 17. If you prioritize a zoom lens or more robust AI capabilities, Pixel 10 might be the better pick; otherwise, it’s a matter of personal preference for your operating system.

In the UK, the iPhone 17 is accessible through retailers such as Apple, Currys, and Amazon, or through carriers like EE, O2, Vodafone, amongst others.

In the US, purchase options are similarly vast, including Apple itself.

For additional recommendations, explore our comprehensive guide on the best phones available.

Is the iPhone 17 Right for You?

For many existing iPhone users, migrating isn’t a matter of if but when. We’re entrenched in the ecosystem, leading to inevitable upgrades. Enthusiasts and larger spenders may enjoy this year’s Pro models, while those seeking a compact device might prefer the Air iteration.

For average users evaluating whether to leap into the iPhone 17 or snag a discounted earlier model, now is a prime moment for an upgrade. If you don’t already possess the iPhone 16, you will experience tangible improvements by upgrading.

Specifications

• Operating system: iOS 26
• Display: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR
• Chipset: A19
• Storage: 256GB/512GB
• Rear Cameras: 48Mp f/1.6 main, 48Mp f/2.2 ultra-wide
• Front camera: 18Mp f/1.9 Centre Stage
• Charging: USB-C PD fast charging, 25W MagSafe, 25W Qi 2
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 5G NFC
• Water Resilience: IP68
• Dimensions: 149.6mm x 71.5mm x 7.95mm
• Weight: 177g
• Color options: Black, White, Mist Blue, Lavender, Sage