GoKawiilThe iPhone 17 closed the gap between Apple’s entry-level phone and the pricier Pro models last year with long-overdue display upgrades, alongside nifty camera and durability improvements. Apple also made new features like Center Stage (its new selfie camera) and Dual Capture available across the entire lineup, making the iPhone 17 an even better value.
A year later, it has become the most affordable entry-level flagship across brands, thanks to Samsung and Google raising the prices of their entry-level models due to a surge in RAM prices driven by AI and data centers.
August is usually when we suggest to avoid buying a new iPhone and to wait for the next one. But things are looking different in 2026.
As we inch closer to the next-generation iPhone announcement on Sept. 9, the iPhone 17 is holding strong against its Android rivals. And it will have to compete with newer models till March 2027, since the iPhone 18 won’t launch until then alongside the iPhone 18E, according to the rumors.
So what if you need a new iPhone before March or don’t want to pay $1,100 or more for an iPhone 18 Pro? I charged up my iPhone 17 and revisited Apple’s standard model this week to find out if it’s still worth buying.
Display, durability and camera upgrades keep it strong
Reading on the iPhone 17 is a pleasant experience. Prakhar Khanna/CNET
The iPhone 17 arrived last year with multiple major upgrades, many of which you’ll appreciate daily.
The screen is finally on par with Apple’s Pro models and every other Android counterpart. It runs at a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which also adapts to the on-screen content to save battery. I compared it to the iPhone 15 and the smoother visuals were immediately noticeable when scrolling through the home screen. It makes the phone feel faster and more responsive.
The display is also brighter and less reflective than its predecessor. It is immediately noticeable when you’re navigating outdoors or need to do anything on your phone under bright lights. I put it against the new Pixel 11, which is equally bright, but iPhone 17’s smaller bezels make its screen more pleasing to look at.
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