Paul Jones / Android Authority
As 2025 comes to a close, it’s fair to say this past year has been a big one in the Android world. OnePlus and other brands pushed the needle forward with silicon-carbon batteries, Samsung went all-out with its foldable ambitions, and Google basically perfected its Pixel formula. In short, there were a lot of wins.
But for everything that went right with Android in 2025, it’s all overshadowed by Apple and the iPhone — specifically, the iPhone 17.
Yes, the base iPhone 17, not the flagship iPhone 17 Pro or the luxurious iPhone Air. Apple’s entry-level iPhone set a new standard for smartphones in 2025, and every Android brand should be scrambling to meet or beat it in 2026. And it’s why the iPhone 17 is the most important phone released this year.
What do you think was 2025's most important smartphone? 40 votes iPhone 17 45 % Google Pixel 10 18 % Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 28 % OnePlus 15 5 % Samsung Galaxy S25 5 % Other (let us know in the comments) 0 %
Why the iPhone 17 is so special
When we think about what makes a “good” smartphone, there’s a lot to consider. There’s the hardware, display quality, cameras, performance, battery life, and value. When you look at the iPhone 17, what’s impressive is that it nails all of this.
Starting in that same order with hardware, the iPhone 17 isn’t much different from the iPhone 16. However, that’s not a bad thing. Things like its Ceramic Shield 2 glass, MagSafe magnets, and Action Button/Camera Control buttons may not be revolutionary, but they’re small details that keep the hardware feeling like a complete, premium experience.
That’s even more true with the display. One of the most significant drawbacks of the non-Pro iPhone has been its outdated 60Hz screen. After years of complaints, Apple finally upgraded it to 120Hz. And it’s not a lower-end 120Hz display. It’s a proper LTPO panel that scales from 120Hz down to 1Hz, providing the same always-on display functionality as the more expensive iPhone 17 Pro. Again, small details that make a big difference.
That philosophy continues with the cameras. Apple upgraded the iPhone 17’s ultrawide camera to the same 48MP sensor used on the iPhone 17 Pro, and added the company’s new 18MP Center Stage front-facing camera — again, the same one used on the Pro.
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