iPhone 17 Review: Everything You Need to Know (Specs, Pros & Cons, Price)
This month, Apple is once again in the spotlight with the launch of the iPhone 17 series, which is expected to bring fresh design changes and standout features. Rumors about four models—iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Air, and iPhone 17 Pro Max—that once stirred up the tech community have now become reality.
As the September 2025 release draws near, new leaks about accessories and the Pro model’s unique “camera island” design have sparked plenty of buzz among fans and industry watchers. Here’s a full breakdown of what’s been revealed so far.
Design & Display
The standard iPhone 17 is expected to look a lot like the iPhone 16 but with a slightly bigger 6.3-inch screen—larger than the iPhone 15’s 6.1-inch display, though still smaller than the 15 Plus at 6.7 inches.
Meanwhile, leaked CAD renders suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air will feature a new horizontal “camera bar” design with rounded corners, setting them apart visually.
Camera Upgrades
Cameras are shaping up to be the biggest selling point for this lineup. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will reportedly include a 48MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48MP periscope camera with 5x optical zoom. The front camera is also getting a major bump, jumping from 12MP to 24MP.
Another highlight is a brand-new dual video recording feature, letting users capture footage from the front and rear cameras at the same time. The rear camera takes center stage while the front camera shows up in a small window on-screen. While third-party apps already offer something similar, having it built directly into Apple’s Camera app means smoother performance and better integration with editing and sharing tools.
Performance & Cooling
To handle demanding tasks like 8K video recording, the Pro models are rumored to include a vapor chamber cooling system, keeping the device from overheating and ensuring steady performance.
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to run on the new A19 Pro chip with 12GB of RAM, optimized for Apple Intelligence (AI) features. The iPhone 17 and 17 Air will use the standard A19 chip with less RAM.
Connectivity
Apple is also preparing to debut its own in-house 5G modem, likely starting with the iPhone 17 Air. Although it won’t match Qualcomm’s top-tier speeds just yet, it’s a major step toward Apple’s independence in hardware development.
Every model will also feature Apple’s custom Wi-Fi 7 chip for faster, more stable connections with lower power usage, plus Bluetooth 5.3 support for smoother wireless performance.
Other Features
Apple is moving further into eSIM territory, removing physical SIM slots in more markets. The iPhone 17 Air, designed to be ultra-thin, will not include a SIM slot at all.
All models will come with LTPO OLED panels that support ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz—delivering smoother visuals while also improving battery efficiency.
Dynamic Island is getting slimmer too, thanks to new metalens technology that shrinks the sensors without sacrificing Face ID performance.
Software
The iPhone 17 series will launch with iOS 19, which introduces a fresh look featuring rounded app icons, transparent elements in the Camera app, and updates to Always-On Display.
This time, Always-On Display won’t be exclusive to Pro models—it’s coming to the entire iPhone 17 lineup, allowing users to see the time, notifications, and key info without unlocking the phone.
Pricing
Apple is expected to price the iPhone 17 at around US$799 for the 256GB model, while the 512GB version could go for about US$999.
iPhone 17 Specifications
| 📱 Design & Build Quality |
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|---|---|
| 🖥️ Display |
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| 🔧 Performance & Hardware |
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| ⚙️ Software & Sensors |
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| 📸 Camera |
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| 🔋 Battery & Charging |
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| 🌐 Connectivity & Network |
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| 🔊 Audio & Multimedia |
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iPhone 17 Advantages
- Premium Design: Sleek glass front and back with an aluminum frame gives it a high-end look and feel.
- Durable: IP68 water and dust resistance ensures it can survive accidental splashes and short submersions.
- Stunning Display: 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED with 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth visuals and vibrant colors.
- High-Resolution Cameras: Dual 48MP rear cameras (wide and ultrawide) plus a 48MP periscope on Pro Max offer excellent photography and 5x optical zoom.
- Front Camera Upgrade: 24MP front camera with OIS for sharp selfies and video calls.
- Dual Video Recording: Record with front and back cameras at the same time—great for content creators.
- Powerful Performance: A19 chipset with 8GB–12GB RAM handles multitasking, gaming, and heavy apps effortlessly.
- Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and 5G support ensure faster, more stable internet speeds.
- Improved Cooling: Vapor chamber technology keeps the phone cool during heavy tasks like 8K video recording.
- iOS 26 Features: Fresh interface, Always-On Display across all models, enhanced multitasking, and Apple Intelligence (AI) integration.
- Fast Charging: Wired PD 2.0 and wireless MagSafe charging options make recharging convenient and quick.
- Stereo Speakers: Excellent sound quality for media consumption.
- Enhanced Security: Face ID and UWB chip provide secure and accurate authentication.
iPhone 17 Disadvantages
- No Headphone Jack: Users need wireless or USB-C headphones.
- Expensive: Higher storage variants (512GB) are quite pricey, which may not be affordable for all.
- Heavy for Some Users: At 177g, it might feel a bit bulky for people who prefer lighter phones.
- Limited Battery Life: While decent, heavy use (gaming, 8K recording) may drain battery faster than expected.
- eSIM Only in Some Regions: Some users might find the lack of a physical SIM slot inconvenient, especially in countries where eSIM adoption is low.
- Proprietary Accessories: MagSafe and certain charging options require Apple-certified accessories, adding extra cost.
- No Major Design Overhaul: Standard iPhone 17 looks very similar to iPhone 16, which might feel repetitive to long-time users.
- 5G Limitations: Apple’s own 5G modem doesn’t match Qualcomm’s top mmWave speeds yet.