Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is officially here, bringing four new devices to the table. As expected, the series consists of upgrades to past models such as the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. But this generation is shaking things up by introducing the iPhone Air -- a new addition that Apple says is "the thinnest iPhone ever made." And for the first time in several generations, there will not be a "Plus" model.
Also: How to clear your iPhone cache (and why you should do it before upgrading to iPhone 17)
Beyond the iPhone Air, the series also brings in sweeping upgrades across the board. The iPhone 17 series will have higher-quality displays, greater overall performance, and refined camera systems for better photography and video capture. Each of the four smartphones shares many of these improvements; however, each one offers its own distinctive features that allow it to stand out from the others.
Interested buyers have plenty of options. This raises the question: which iPhone 17 model is right for you? The answer isn't straightforward since each device offers something unique. So to cut through all the noise, I've broken down the major features of every iPhone 17 option, highlighting the advantages they offer and explaining why you might want to pick one over the others.
Features iPhone 17 iPhone 17 Air iPhone 17 Pro iPhone 17 Pro Max Prices $799 $999 $1,099 $1,199 Display 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion Battery 30 hours of video playback 27 hours of video playback 39 hours of video playback 39 hours of video playback Finishes Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, Black Sky Blue, Black, White, Light Gold Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, Silver Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, Silver Processor A19 A19 Pro A19 Pro A19 Pro Frame Aluminum frame Titanium frame Aluminum unibody Aluminum unibody Storage 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB Camera 18MP Center Stage selfie / 48MP Fusion Main, 48 Fusion Ultra Wide 18MP Center Stage selfie / 48MP Fusion Main 18MP Center Stage / 48MP Fusion Main, 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, 48MP Fusion Telephoto 18MP Center Stage / 48MP Fusion Main, 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, 48MP Fusion Telephoto
You should buy the iPhone 17 if…
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1. You want a ProMotion display without paying Pro model prices.
For the first time, Apple is bringing its ProMotion display technology to a base iPhone. This will allow the iPhone 17 to house a notably vibrant screen with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. A feature like this enables "supersmooth scrolling, immersive gaming, improved efficiency." Its glass is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, a new feature that provides better resistance to damage and reduced glare. Another benefit of ProMotion is that it has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
Up until now, ProMotion was reserved for higher-end models. With this upgrade, the iPhone 17 is a great choice for people who want a premium viewing experience without needing to pay a premium price.
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