Key Takeaways
- The iPhone 17 has many of the same display and camera upgrades as more expensive iPhones, making it a more valuable base model than in years past, reviews said.
- The $799 phone has better battery life, but doesn’t take the best zoomed-in photos or stay cool during extensive gaming sessions, reviews said.
At about $800, the new iPhone 17 isn’t cheap. But it offers more value than prior entry level iPhones, reviewers said.
“I don’t think there has ever been a better base model” in Apple’s (AAPL) annual revamp of its iPhone, iPhone Plus, iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro Max lineup, a Wired reviewer said.
Investopedia read a range of reviews to see how the iPhone 17 has been received in its first few weeks. The entry level model provides more value than in years past, multiple reviews said, noting it has double the storage, a better battery and many of the same display and camera enhancements as the pricier models. Still, some features disappointed.
Here’s a look at what stood out to reviewers.
Easy viewing: The display makes for smoother scrolling and viewing, Wired said. The screen is slightly larger and easier to see in sunlight thanks to an anti-glare coating and brighter settings.
The screen has an improved scratch-resistant shield, Apple said. Still, Wired said the glass got a “tiny scratch” within a week.
New display features: With Apple’s “Liquid Glass” design, content appears semi-translucent, which lets users see messages and programs in the background, CNET said. The phone also has an “always-on” mode, where the time and notifications are visible even when the screen is locked.
The latter feature is a useful way to check on food deliveries, Uber rides and scan for missed calls, CNET said.
Why This News Matters
Apple’s iPhones are among the world’s most popular consumer products, making the latest model of interest to millions. The $799 base model offers more value than “starter” iPhones of years past, reviews said, praising its enhanced display and battery life. That feedback is likely welcome at Apple, which sells millions of smartphones a year.
A better battery: The phone’s new operating system comes with more enduring battery power. After a day of use, the iPhone 17 often had 30% battery life the next morning, CNET said, calling the results “reassuring.”
New camera perks: The phone makes snapping selfies easy by automatically adjusting to fit more people in the frame, CNN said. It also allows photographers to switch from portrait to landscape mode when the phone is in the vertical position.
With “Dual Capture” mode, people can simultaneously record video from the front and rear camera. That’s a handy way to “capture some live reactions at the next basketball game,” CNN said.
Photo zoom disappointed: Photos lack detail and get a “blurry watercolor look” if taken with the lens zoomed in as much as possible, The Verge said.
Not enough cooling: Frequent gamers may want to opt for the iPhone 17 Pro, which has a better cooling system, Wired said. Demanding games made the phone “really hot and nearly uncomfortable to hold,” the review said.
