Apple iPhone 17 Review: Why This Standard Model Finally Feels Complete

The iPhone 17 has finally arrived, and it’s shaping up to be Apple’s most balanced release in years.

While the Pro models often dominate headlines, it’s the baseline iPhone that sells the most units and lands in the hands of everyday users. This year, Apple has taken a clear step forward, making the standard model feel far less like a compromise and more like a genuinely exciting upgrade.

Apple’s minimalist packaging strategy continues here, which means the box contains little more than the phone and a cable. Gone are the days of bundled chargers and earphones – and at this point, many wonder why Apple even includes a cable, considering that anyone with a modern iPhone likely has a drawer full of them. The company frames this as an eco-conscious move, but it’s equally a push toward reducing costs and encouraging accessory sales.

At first glance, the design feels almost identical to the iPhone 16. The dimensions are only slightly larger, and the bezels around the screen are marginally slimmer. Most users would hardly notice the difference. What will catch the eye, however, are the new colors. Apple has swapped last year’s vibrant hues for subtler shades: Lavender, Mist Blue, and Sage now join the classic black and white. This restrained palette feels calmer and more mature, though fans of the bolder Ultramarine and Pink may be disappointed by their absence.

The biggest leap forward comes with the display. For the first time, a non-Pro iPhone supports a 120Hz refresh rate. This is more than just a spec bump – it’s a transformative change for anyone used to 60Hz. Scrolling feels smoother, animations are more fluid, and gaming benefits significantly. Combined with a brighter panel that peaks at an impressive 3000 nits, the iPhone 17’s screen finally feels competitive with the best Android phones on the market. Features like DC dimming and an always-on display round out the package, signaling that Apple no longer wants the base iPhone to feel like an outdated cousin to its pricier siblings.

Under the hood, the new A19 chip is the heart of this device. Compared to the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15, Apple promises up to 40% faster CPU performance and as much as 80% better GPU performance. While this isn’t quite the same powerhouse as the A19 Pro chip found in the iPhone 17 Pro models, the performance here is still more than enough for heavy multitasking, demanding games, and years of software updates. Interestingly, Apple held back its new C1X modem for other devices, but the inclusion of the N1 wireless networking chip ensures faster and more reliable connectivity.

Photography has always been a major selling point for iPhones, and the iPhone 17 doubles down on this. The new Dual Fusion camera system brings not one but two 48MP sensors: a main camera and an ultra-wide. The latter is a particularly welcome change, as ultra-wide lenses on non-Pro iPhones often lagged behind in quality. Early samples suggest macro photography and low-light performance have taken a noticeable step forward. On the front, the 18MP Center Stage camera adapts cleverly to the number of people in the frame, expanding its field of view dynamically. The addition of Dual Capture, which records video simultaneously from both the front and rear cameras, is bound to be a hit with vloggers and social media creators.

Battery life also benefits from a slight capacity boost and the efficiency gains of the new processor. Apple claims longer use between charges, and charging itself has become faster, both wired and wirelessly. For anyone frustrated by Apple’s historically slow charging speeds, this feels like long-overdue progress.

Storage gets a practical upgrade as well: gone is the entry-level 128GB model. Instead, the iPhone 17 starts at 256GB, giving users more breathing room for apps, photos, and videos. The 512GB option remains for power users, but Apple has drawn the line there, reserving higher capacities for the Pro line.

All these changes combine to make the iPhone 17 the most well-rounded baseline iPhone in recent memory. It’s no longer simply the “affordable” choice but a device that feels like a complete package for most users. With a refined design, a vastly improved display, stronger cameras, and better performance, the iPhone 17 stands as one of Apple’s most compelling upgrades in years. Our full in-depth review is in progress, but the first impressions are clear: this is the standard iPhone many people have been waiting for.