UP
Our takeEditorialThe iPhone 17 is the first standard model that feels genuinely current against the Pro line - 120 Hz, 40W charging, and a proper dual-camera with matched sensors.
Black, White, Sage, Lavender, Mist Blue
Apple
Apple iPhone 17
8.0/10 UpPhone score
The standard iPhone 17 finally gets 120 Hz ProMotion and 40W fast charging - closing two of the biggest gaps from the 16.
Verified for iOS
Storage
Screen
6.3"
Chip
Apple A19 (3 nm)
Camera
48 MP
Battery
7h 46min
The verdict, & two little voices
Should you actually get the Apple iPhone 17?
The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
“120 Hz ProMotion and 40W charging on the standard iPhone finally deliver what the 16 should have been.”
“Apple held 120 Hz back for years; $750 for features that should have arrived in the 16 is the classic slow-drip upgrade.”
Our take
The standard iPhone 17 finally gets 120 Hz ProMotion and 40W fast charging - closing two of the biggest gaps from the 16.
The iPhone 17 is a meaningful upgrade over its direct predecessor in a way the 14-to-15 and 15-to-16 transitions were not. ProMotion 120 Hz has arrived on the standard model, and wired charging has jumped from 20W to 40W. The A19 chip on a 3 nm process drives performance and supports Apple Intelligence, while the main camera now has a 48 MP ultrawide partner - a dual-lens setup that more closely mirrors the 16 Pro's versatility. At a 6.3-inch screen size and 177g the 17 is notably lighter than the 16, despite the glass panel swap. The 3692 mAh battery is smaller than the 16 Plus but Apple claims improved efficiency from A19. Starting at $749.99 this is the most accessible ProMotion iPhone and covers the ground between the 16 Plus and 16 Pro better than any previous standard model.
What we love
- 120 Hz ProMotion OLED arrives on a standard iPhone for the first time
- 40W wired charging roughly doubles the previous standard
- A19 chip on 3 nm with all Apple Intelligence features
- Dual 48 MP cameras with improved ultrawide
- 177g is lighter than the iPhone 16
- Aluminum chassis with IP68
What we don't
- 3692 mAh battery is smaller than the older 16 Plus
- No periscope telephoto - 4x optical zoom via crop
- 25W wireless charging is modest for a 2025 flagship
- eSIM-only limits physical SIM options
- $749.99 starting price positions it close to the 16 Pro range
Full specifications
Display
Size6.3"
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED
Resolution2622 x 1206 px
PPI460
Performance
ChipApple A19 (3 nm)
RAM8 GB
Storage256 GB
OSiOS
Camera
Rear camera48 MP
Rear camera 248 MP
Front camera18 MP
VideoYes
Battery
Video playback7h 46min
Internet27 hours
Wireless charging25 W wireless (MagSafe)
Design
Dimensions149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm
Weight177
ColorsBlack, White, Sage, Lavender, Mist Blue
Form factorSlate
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7
BluetoothBluetooth 6.0
NFCYes
USBUSB 2.0
SIMeSIM only
Apple iPhone 17 on individual carriers
Showing 20 of 58 plans with Apple iPhone 17
Carrier: Any ▾Lines: 1 ▾Sort: Lowest ▾
CarrierPlanDataTermMonthly
30 GB
36-mo term
$5.56/mo
total $30.56 over term
Unlimited
36-mo term
$23.05/mo
total $53.05 over term
Unlimited
36-mo term
$23.05/mo
total $63.05 over term
Frequently asked questions about the Apple iPhone 17
What kind of display does the Apple iPhone 17 have?
The 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel now runs ProMotion from 1 Hz to 120 Hz, matching what was previously exclusive to the Pro line. Peak brightness climbs to 3000 nits for HDR content - a significant jump over the 2000 nit ceiling on iPhone 16 non-Pro models. The always-on display feature is available. Resolution is 2622 x 1206 pixels at 460 ppi with P3 wide color and True Tone. This is the first time a standard iPhone delivers a display spec that does not trail the Pro series in any meaningful category except LTPO efficiency (the 17's ProMotion implementation draws modestly more power than the LTPO variant on Pro models).
What kind of camera does the Apple iPhone 17 have?
The dual 48 MP + 48 MP system gives the iPhone 17 an ultrawide that finally matches the main sensor in resolution. The main sensor uses f/1.6 with sensor-shift OIS. The ultrawide at 48 MP provides significantly more detail in wide shots and enables higher-quality crops. Optical zoom reaches 4x via the main sensor crop - better than the 2x on the iPhone 16 but short of the 5x periscope on the 16 Pro. Video captures 4K 60 fps. Dolby Vision Log support is included. For a two-lens iPhone, this is the most capable Apple has offered on a standard model.
What is the battery life of the Apple iPhone 17?
At 3692 mAh the iPhone 17 carries a smaller battery than the iPhone 16 Plus but A19's improved power efficiency per-core partially offsets the capacity difference. Apple quotes meaningful endurance gains over the 16 on the 17 despite the smaller cell. The 40W wired charging is the biggest practical improvement: a full charge takes approximately 55 minutes compared to 90 minutes on the 16's 20W system. MagSafe wireless hits 25W. Battery performance is solid for a standard-size flagship, though the 17 Pro Max remains in a different class.
What processor does the Apple iPhone 17 use?
The A19 on 3 nm brings incremental but measurable CPU and GPU gains over the A18. Apple's roadmap delivers roughly 15-20% CPU improvement generation over generation. The 16-core Neural Engine processes Apple Intelligence on-device with faster throughput than A18. 8 GB of RAM supports the full Apple Intelligence stack. The A19 is the standard model chip; the A19 Pro in the 17 Pro and Air lines has additional GPU cores and enhanced Neural Engine bandwidth.
How much storage does the Apple iPhone 17 have?
256 GB is the base tier for the iPhone 17 - a meaningful upgrade over the 128 GB floor that was standard for non-Pro models. The lineup also includes 512 GB. No microSD expansion. At 256 GB the iPhone 17 base storage is more appropriate for a phone this capable; 4K video and large photo libraries fit without immediate iCloud dependency.
What kind of speakers does the Apple iPhone 17 have?
Stereo speakers with earpiece and bottom-firing units. Apple introduced a new speaker configuration on the 17 series that emphasizes wider stereo separation for Spatial Audio content. Dolby Atmos is supported. Volume output is strong for the class and midrange clarity is clean. No 3.5 mm jack; USB-C and Bluetooth cover audio needs.
Does the Apple iPhone 17 support fingerprint or face unlock?
Face ID via the Dynamic Island TrueDepth camera covers all authentication. The same 3D face mapping from the broader iPhone lineup. No fingerprint sensor. Face ID on A19 authenticates fast enough that the process is invisible in everyday use. Dynamic Island serves interactive notification and live activity functions.
Is the Apple iPhone 17 water-resistant?
IP68 rated to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The aluminum chassis maintains the same water resistance class as Pro models. Everyday accidental water exposure - rain, splashes, brief submersion - is covered. Chlorinated and salt water should be rinsed off with fresh water afterward.
