Apple's flashy orange iPhone 17 Pro might be getting a lot of attention, but the baseline iPhone 17 is quietly crushing it, with preorders blowing past last year's phone. So, if your current iPhone is starting to feel a little outdated, this might be the upgrade you've been waiting for.
But is the iPhone 17 worth it? Here's the detail that matters: Apple finally killed the laughably small 128GB base storage you'll get on older models like the iPhone16. Instead, the entry-level iPhone 17 starts at 256GB, all while maintaining that $829 starting price -- a long-overdue upgrade that makes this year's phone a seriously compelling deal.
Watch this: The Thin Phone Debate: iPhone Air Battles iPhone 17 Pro 07:54
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
Several noteworthy updates to the iPhone 17 make it feel like a tempting choice, even over the pricier iPhone 17 Pro models. At long last, Apple has extended a 1-120Hz display across its entire lineup, so you can have smoother scrolling and an always-on display without spending upward of $1,100 on a Pro model. An anti-reflective coating and higher 3,000-nit peak brightness make the screen slightly easier to see outdoors. And camera upgrades help to level up photos and selfies.
Here's how the iPhone 17 compares to older iPhones, ranging from last year's iPhone 16 to 2020's iPhone 12.
The iPhone 16 James Martin/CNET
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16
Appearance-wise, the iPhone 17 has a lot in common with the iPhone 16. But beneath the surface, there are some key differences.
The display goes from a meager 60Hz on the iPhone 16 to 120Hz on the iPhone 17 (at long last). That means the iPhone 17 finally supports an always-on display, so you can glance at the time and your notifications without waking the screen and enjoy smoother scrolling. A new anti-reflective coating helps reduce glare, especially in the bright outdoor conditions.
... continue reading