Jada Jones/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET's key takeaways
The iPhone 17 delivers significant generational upgrades to display, camera, and battery capacity.
Despite its base model configuration, it has several advancements over last year's Pro model.
It's a solid option for iOS fans who don't want to overpay for upgraded features.
There are plenty of people who live to peer over the edge of mobile innovation. They live for phones as thin as possible, that fold into threes, or have cameras with impeccable super zoom technology without missing a beat. I am not one of those people.
Also: I've tried every iPhone 17 model, and my golden rule for upgrading is changing in 2025
Although I live within the realm of base model iPhones, I've always been intrigued by Apple's latest mobile features. But Apple tucks its best innovations behind its four-figure price tag Pro lineup, and the idea of paying as much for a phone as I did for my M2 MacBook Air just a few years ago feels sacrilegious.
As I'm not a power user, I'm not one to upgrade my phone every year, and certainly not to a Pro model. However, I made an exception for the iPhone 17 in my personal upgrade cycle. These features explain exactly why.
... continue reading