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ZDNET’s Key Takeaways
The iPhone 17 represents a notable leap forward in Apple’s device evolution, introducing sweeping generational improvements to its display technology, camera systems, and overall battery capacity. Even though the model sits at the base tier of the lineup, it seamlessly incorporates refinements that clearly outshine last year’s more expensive Pro edition. For loyal iOS users who value practicality and balance over status-oriented hardware upgrades, this device emerges as a well-rounded, cost-effective choice.
Many enthusiasts within the mobile tech community thrive on pushing boundaries—seeking ultra-thin designs, multifold form factors, or cutting-edge optical systems boasting extraordinary zoom capabilities. Their pursuit of the avant-garde in smartphone innovation defines their purchasing behavior. Yet, I must confess: I do not belong to that faction. My relationship with technology is guided less by the thrill of novelty and more by the need for dependable, day-to-day functionality.
Although I have comfortably lived within the realm of the standard iPhone models, my curiosity about Apple’s newly introduced technological wonders has never entirely waned. What deters me, however, is the company’s tendency to reserve its most advanced features—its finest engineering feats—for the Pro lineup, which often comes with a price tag exceeding a thousand dollars. To me, investing that amount of money in a phone, nearly equivalent to the cost of my M2 MacBook Air from just a few years prior, feels excessive, almost indulgent. Since I am far from a power user, I have never felt compelled to upgrade annually or chase the Pro label. Nonetheless, the iPhone 17 managed to disrupt that rhythm, persuading me to make an exception. The reasons behind this decision are both practical and compelling.
1. Incremental Display Gains that Meaningfully Accumulate
For the first time in Apple’s product history, the standard iPhone variant receives the same premium display features as its Pro counterpart. The device now includes a 6.3‑inch always‑on panel enhanced by ProMotion technology, achieving display parity across the lineup. When the technical specifications were initially unveiled, I was excited but underestimated how profoundly a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate would redefine everyday use. In hindsight, this single enhancement may be the most impactful upgrade that Apple has ever extended to its base model phones.
ProMotion dynamically tailors the screen’s refresh rate, scaling upward to a fluid 120Hz for fast‑paced applications or animations, and reducing to as little as 10Hz when displaying static content. The transition between these modes is imperceptible yet transformative. The difference became evident the instant I transitioned from my iPhone 16: smooth flows of the Liquid Glass interface, effortless pacing while scrolling through news feeds, and an overall tactile fluidity that made interaction remarkably pleasing. The improvement wasn’t just visual—it was almost physical, subtly changing how the phone felt in my hand.
The always‑on display, another newly inherited feature, allows for glancing at notifications, widgets, and live activities without lifting a finger to unlock the device. It’s a small convenience whose significance only becomes clear through use. The marginal expansion from 6.1 to 6.3 inches might initially sound negligible—but that slight size increase translates to noticeably improved readability without altering the device’s comfort or portability. Whether slipping the phone into a pocket or scrolling through long-form text, the change feels thoughtfully optimized for usability.
Aside from these experiential upgrades, the display boasts a 2,622 × 1,206 resolution coupled with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits—identical to that of the iPhone 17 Pro. These features, once locked behind Apple’s premium paywall, now reach a wider audience, presenting casual users like me with visual performance previously considered a luxury.
2. A Camera Evolution Subtler Than Expected, Yet Meaningful
Photography has never defined how I use my phone, and my lifestyle does not truly demand the professional-grade intricacies of Apple’s Pro camera systems. Still, the company’s latest imaging advancements intrigue me. In this iteration, the iPhone 17 enhances its rear camera system with a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide lens, promising enhanced detail and clarity. It’s an incremental refinement—but what genuinely caught my attention was the introduction of the new Center Stage front camera, an innovation that redefines how spontaneous photos and video calls are experienced.
Upon the official announcement, Apple surprised audiences by offering a major front camera enhancement within its standard models—the first meaningful front-facing upgrade since the iPhone 11. The Center Stage system incorporates an advanced AI engine paired with a square-shaped sensor that broadens the camera’s field of vision. This enables effortless wide-angle selfies and videos, even in landscape mode, eliminating the habitual need to rotate the phone. It intelligently detects and tracks faces, adjusting zoom and orientation automatically to include every individual within frame.
This feature proved particularly valuable during a recent family outing to a Christmas market with my mother and sister. As we tried to capture a quick photo with an enormous, beautifully lit Christmas tree behind us, the camera adapted instantly—no awkward shuffling, no cutting someone out of the frame. That level of intuitive responsiveness elevated an ordinary selfie experience.
Center Stage also enhances real-time communication. During FaceTime calls or when recording video, it continuously tracks the speaker’s movement, ensuring a properly centered frame. The iPhone 17 extends these benefits further with Ultra Stabilization for smoother footage and a Dual Capture mode that records from the front and rear cameras simultaneously, enabling more immersive storytelling.
Although the Pro lineup still maintains a distinct edge by offering an additional lens and advanced computational photography, this baseline model narrows the performance gap significantly. For someone like me—who values good composition but rarely engages in professional-level photography—the ability to access these intelligent tools without paying a premium feels liberating. Even if I may not explore every new function regularly, the knowledge that they exist within reach is satisfying.
3. Battery Life and Charging: The Everyday Game Changer
Battery endurance has quietly evolved into one of Apple’s more underestimated successes. As someone who spends prolonged hours checking messages, streaming videos, and browsing the web, I immediately noticed the expanded battery performance. The iPhone 17 houses a 3,629mAh cell—a tangible boost compared to the iPhone 16’s 3,561mAh—yielding up to 30 hours of video playback versus the previous 22. For day-to-day users, that translates into an additional buffer of reliability: fewer situations where low power interrupts productivity or entertainment.
What makes this advancement notable isn’t merely its numeric gain but its significance within Apple’s broader release pattern. Historically, substantial battery capacity improvements were reserved for Pro models. The iPhone 17, however, breaks that precedent, subtly blurring traditional segmentation lines. Impressively, its battery even eclipses that of the 16 Pro, marking a quiet victory for users who prefer base models without compromise.
ZDNET’s Buying Advice
Many consumers gravitate toward Apple’s Pro-tier devices—phones, earbuds, laptops—believing that purchasing the top specification guarantees access to excellence. Yet, in practice, they often pay extra for features they never utilize. The iPhone 17 challenges that pattern. Despite lacking the iconic triple-camera cluster or the striking Cosmic Orange colorway, it stands as an intelligently balanced option for budget-conscious users who value advanced features packed into a more accessible framework.
Even if you never tap into its Dual Capture capability, barely engage with ProMotion’s full potential, or sidestep Apple’s AI processing advancements, the iPhone 17 ensures that your investment remains proportionate to what you actually use. With this generational refresh, Apple has delivered a base model whose enhancements feel unusually bold—providing both aesthetic refinement and technical expansion. For anyone who typically skips upgrades every release cycle, this edition may be the one that justifies an exception. It feels familiar in hand, yet refreshingly new in every substantial way.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/iphone-17-casual-user-review/
