Apple iPhone 17 ZDNET's key takeaways The iPhone 17 starts at $799 with 256GB of base storage
The biggest upgrades are a new 120Hz ProMotion display and 18MP front camera.
You'll still have to settle for not having a telephoto lens, and battery life is average. View now at Apple View now at Verizon View now at Best Buy more buying choices
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Base model iPhones are often overlooked. Apple's launch of the iPhone 17 lineup made that even more the case, with the ultra-thin iPhone Air and the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro stealing all the attention. However, several weeks spent with the iPhone 17 have made it evident that it's the biggest win of the product season for most users.
The best part is that despite the upgrades, the latest iPhone model retails for the same price as its predecessor, but with double the storage (256GB).
Also: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: I've got one big reason to recommend a year-over-year upgrade
More recently, I took the iPhone 17 on a week-long work trip to Hawaii, which included extensive use of the device on a 12-hour flight and taking pictures every day. Here are its biggest standouts (and notable caveats) to help you make a buying decision.
A design that's better in every way
Aesthetically, the iPhone 17 appears largely unchanged, retaining its glass exterior, stacked dual camera array, and aluminum frame. The most noticeable change is the introduction of new pastel colorways, which include Lavender, Sage, and Mist Blue, in addition to the traditional White and Black. However, there are lots of meaningful design changes that make it a big upgrade. Starting with perhaps the biggest design upgrade: the inclusion of the ProMotion display.
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