The iPhone 17 is overshadowed by its more eye-catching siblings. While many focus on the iPhone 17 Pro or the new iPhone Air, the standard model hardly gets the spotlight. Yet it has a surprising amount to offer—features previously reserved for more expensive models. Anyone interested in a powerful iPhone without extras will get more than meets the eye.
Apple has unveiled its new iPhone lineup, along with the third-generation AirPods Pro and new Apple Watches. The focus of attention was primarily on the iPhone 17 Pro with its new design and camera system, and the ultra-lightweight iPhone Air. But right between these two devices lies a model that's easily overlooked: the iPhone 17. Without a big show, without a new design language, but with solid upgrades, useful features, and a price that could make it the best everyday solution.
ProMotion and Always-On: The display upgrade is bigger than expected
The iPhone 17 adopts the display of the iPhone 16 Pro – and that's a real step forward. It features a 6.3-inch OLED panel with ProMotion technology. The refresh rate adjusts dynamically and reaches up to 120 Hz. This ensures smoother scrolling and a more pleasant display, especially during fast movements. It also features an always-on mode and a peak brightness of 3000 nits outdoors. This makes the display easy to read even in direct sunlight. The display edges are significantly thinner – a feature previously reserved for the Pro models.
Battery life at a new level
A major improvement concerns battery life. The iPhone 17 now offers up to 30 hours of video playback. By comparison, the iPhone 16 achieved 22 hours, and the iPhone 16 Pro 27 hours. This also significantly sets the iPhone 17 apart from its predecessor in terms of endurance.
New front camera with Center Stage
Another key upgrade concerns the front camera. The new selfie camera now supports Center Stage—a feature that automatically centers the face in the frame when it moves. This is a particularly useful improvement for video calls or social media posts. The technology originally came from the iPad ecosystem and has now been incorporated into an iPhone for the first time.
Rear camera with higher resolution
The rear camera has also been upgraded. The ultra-wide-angle sensor has been increased from 12 to 48 megapixels. This noticeably improves image quality for landscape shots, group photos, and indoor scenes. While the telephoto lens of the Pro models is still missing, the main camera delivers solid results – supported by the new A19 chip, which optimizes image processing.
A19 chip and Ceramic Shield 2
Inside is the A19 chip – Apple's latest generation for performance and efficiency. Apps launch quickly, multitasking runs smoothly, and games benefit from improved graphics performance. At the same time, less power is consumed, which also has a positive impact on battery life. Apple also installed the new Ceramic Shield 2 cover for the display. This is said to be even more robust against drops and scratches than the previous version.
Same housing material as the Pro
Apple uses aluminum for the iPhone 17's casing—just like the iPhone 17 Pro. This reduces weight compared to stainless steel and provides a more pleasant feel. While the choice of material doesn't affect functionality, it does give the device a premium feel in the hand.
Price-performance better than ever before
The iPhone 17 is significantly cheaper than the Pro model. While an iPhone 17 Pro with 256 GB costs around €1,299, the iPhone 17 with the same storage capacity costs €949. For €350 less, you get the same display, a new front-facing camera, and longer battery life. The only differences are the telephoto lens and a few pro-level camera features.
The iPhone 17 hits the sweet spot
The iPhone 17 lacks any major gimmicks, but offers many useful upgrades. The display is high-quality, battery life is significantly improved, and the cameras take a noticeable leap forward – all packaged in a high-quality chassis at a significantly lower price than the Pro models. If you can do without professional camera extras, the iPhone 17 offers a device that, for the first time, feels like a true Pro model – but without the Pro premium. Within the new iPhone generation, it may not be the most striking, but it's definitely the most powerful overall package for everyday use. The best products for you: Our Amazon Storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including accessories for HomeKit. (Image: Apple)
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iPhone 17: What you should know before buying
The iPhone 17 features a ProMotion OLED display, significantly thinner bezels, a new front-facing camera with Center Stage, longer battery life, and the new A19 chip—all upgrades over the iPhone 16.
Yes, the iPhone 17 uses the same 6.3-inch OLED display with ProMotion, Always-On functionality, and up to 3000 nits of brightness as the iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone 17 features a new front-facing camera with a Center Stage lens and a 48MP ultrawide sensor on the back. Only the telephoto lens found on the Pro models is missing.
The iPhone 17's battery life is up to 30 hours of video playback – that's more than the iPhone 16 Pro and significantly more than its predecessor.
The iPhone 17 features Apple's new A19 chip, which delivers high performance, energy efficiency, and improved graphics performance.
Like the other current iPhones, the iPhone 17 is IP68 certified and therefore protected against water and dust.
Like the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 17 is made of aluminum. It's lighter than stainless steel, yet remains high-quality and robust.
Yes, the iPhone 17 is available in two storage options – including 256 GB and 512 GB, depending on your needs and budget.
If you don't need a telephoto lens or a Pro chip, the iPhone 17 offers almost all the important features of the Pro model at a significantly better price.
