Jada Jones/ZDNET\nFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.\nZDNET’s key takeaways\nThe iPhone 17 introduces a range of substantive generational advancements that meaningfully refine the user experience — spanning its display, camera system, and overall battery endurance. Despite being the base model configuration, it integrates multiple high-end features that previously were exclusive to Apple’s premium Pro lineup, making it a compelling proposition for those who value performance but not excessive spending. This new iteration stands out as a balanced choice for devoted iOS users who desire cutting-edge innovation without committing to the formidable price tags that often accompany flagship-tier specifications.\nThere exists a category of consumers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of mobile ingenuity — individuals endlessly fascinated by ultra-slim devices, tri-folding form factors, or lenses capable of achieving extraordinary levels of zoom without sacrificing image fidelity. I, however, do not count myself among these relentless enthusiasts. Rather, my interests are rooted in functionality, consistency, and an appreciation for meaningful refinement over revolutionary showmanship.\nWhile I habitually remain within the modest world of Apple’s base model iPhones, I cannot deny my curiosity toward the company’s newest technological unveilings. Apple, however, has a well-documented tendency to reserve its most remarkable innovations — whether advanced sensors, enhanced refresh rates, or AI-driven camera systems — for its expensive, four-figure Pro models. The thought of investing a sum comparable to the price of my M2 MacBook Air merely for a phone seems, frankly, unjustifiable.\nAs a user who doesn’t consider themselves a power consumer — someone uninterested in yearly upgrades or professional-level photo editing — I typically skip intermediate releases. Yet, this year, I deliberately broke my own pattern by purchasing the iPhone 17, and three core aspects explain precisely why this device convinced me to do so.\n\n1. Display refinements that collectively elevate the experience\nJada Jones/ZDNET\nFor the first time in the product’s history, Apple has equipped a non-Pro iPhone with a fully featured always-on 6.3-inch display complemented by the coveted ProMotion technology. This means that for the first time, the standard iPhone 17 and its Pro counterpart share identical display specifications, creating a rare equilibrium across models. When Apple first unveiled this upgrade in September, I was certainly pleased to see display parity, but I drastically underestimated the transformative impact of a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The responsiveness it adds to everyday interactions is arguably among the most significant upgrades Apple has ever introduced to its entry-level devices.\nProMotion intelligently calibrates the display’s refresh rate — dynamically scaling up to 120Hz for animation-heavy or interactive content, and reducing as low as 10Hz when the screen is static — yielding an interface that feels fluid, responsive, and power-efficient. The difference between my former iPhone 16 and the new 17 was instantly perceptible: swiping through the Liquid Glass animations or scrolling through my daily news feeds felt effortlessly smoother and visually richer. The conduct of routine interactions was more immersive, making my phone not just faster, but more pleasant to use.\nEqually noteworthy is the addition of the always-on display. The ability to view notifications, widgets, and live activities without needing to tap or unlock the device subtly enhances convenience. It transforms brief glances into meaningful micro-interactions, something I didn’t realize I valued until I used it daily. The slightly increased dimension — from 6.1 to 6.3 inches — might appear negligible in writing, yet it is undeniably perceptible in everyday use. More screen real estate enhances comfort for reading or viewing media, while careful design ensures the phone still fits naturally in the hand, pocket, and purse without feeling cumbersome.\nShared technical specifications further underscore Apple’s new approach to base model excellence: both the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro feature a crisp 2,622 x 1,206 pixel resolution alongside a remarkable 3,000-nit peak brightness. I would have never considered paying extra for these details in prior generations, yet now they’ve become accessible luxuries that elevate everyday use for casual users like me.\n\n2. The unexpected nature of the camera improvements\nJada Jones/ZDNET\nWhile I have never seen myself as needing the pro-grade photographic power characteristic of Apple’s premium iPhones, I still appreciate subtle camera refinements that improve casual photography. This year’s iPhone 17 provides discernible progress over its predecessor, most notably with the inclusion of a new 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide rear camera that lends sharper clarity and color accuracy to photographs. And yet, what truly captured my interest was not the back camera at all but rather the rejuvenated front-facing lens — particularly Apple’s introduction of the Center Stage feature.\nTo my surprise, Apple extended this technology to the lower-tier models in the iPhone 17 lineup — the first major front camera upgrade since the iPhone 11. The Center Stage mechanism employs artificial intelligence and a redesigned square sensor to dramatically expand the front camera’s field of view, efficiently enabling intuitive landscape selfies without physically rotating the device. The software intelligently adapts framing, ensuring that every subject — no matter how spontaneous or crowded the shot — fits neatly into the composition.\nFor instance, when my mother, sister, and I attended our local Christmas market and decided to capture a photo in front of the towering, luminously decorated Christmas tree, the Center Stage feature proved invaluable. In a rushed situation with little opportunity to configure manual settings, it effortlessly framed all three of us while maintaining the grandeur of the tree in the background.\nAdditionally, Center Stage extends beyond photography into video communication, particularly noticeable during FaceTime sessions or any application utilizing live video. It continuously adjusts to keep the caller’s face centered within the frame, creating a more natural and polished interaction. The iPhone 17 also introduces features like ultra-stabilized video recording, Dual Capture — which records from both front and rear cameras simultaneously — and enhanced frame adaptation for motion shots. These improvements, while perhaps nonessential to professional photographers, collectively represent a thoughtful evolution of Apple’s imaging philosophy.\nAlthough Apple’s high-end Pro series still hosts a more versatile triple-lens configuration, the base iPhone 17 nonetheless overtakes earlier Pro generations in several respects — particularly for integrating Center Stage and new video capabilities once reserved for flagship models. Even as a casual user who may seldom deploy the full suite of camera features, I find deep satisfaction knowing that my device offers these tools without requiring me to pay a premium.\n\n3. Battery life and charging improvements\nJada Jones/ZDNET\nDespite labeling myself an easygoing iPhone user, I spend substantial hours on my phone — whether browsing, streaming, or messaging — which naturally compels me to value endurance improvements. Apple’s iPhone 17 houses an estimated 3,629mAh battery, a notable upgrade translating into as much as 30 hours of continuous video playback. To contextualize, the prior iPhone 16’s 3,561mAh capacity yielded approximately 22 hours — meaning the latest iteration delivers a sizable step forward, particularly rare for a non-Pro release.\nIn fact, this increase marks one of the most generous battery enhancements Apple has ever granted to its base phone series — typically, such advancements are reserved for its more expensive models. Interestingly, this year’s standard iPhone even surpasses the previous generation’s iPhone 16 Pro in battery capacity, underscoring Apple’s shift toward democratizing premium hardware benefits across its lineup.\n\nZDNET’s buying advice\nSome consumers instinctively gravitate toward Pro-level Apple devices — iPhones, AirPods, MacBooks — purely out of admiration for their design and prestige. Yet, they often pay for hardware capabilities that they may never fully explore or utilize. The iPhone 17, by contrast, achieves an impressive equilibrium: it omits certain hallmark luxuries, such as the distinctive triple-camera array or the eye-catching Cosmic Orange color option, while retaining the performance and quality that define the Apple ecosystem. It is thus the optimal choice for those who seek a high-end experience without succumbing to exorbitant costs.\nEven for users uninterested in gaming or high-refresh-rate utilities, or those unconcerned with advanced AI-driven enhancements, the comfort lies in knowing their purchase wasn’t inflated by unused features. Apple has imbued the iPhone 17 with an uncharacteristically bold redesign and a lineup of tangible improvements that make it stand out among its predecessors. If any iPhone generation warrants making an upgrade ahead of schedule, this one undoubtedly justifies such a decision.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/iphone-17-upgrade-review/
