Apple iPhone 17 full review goto99news
Performance-wise, the A19 chip and 8 GB RAM deliver solid improvements over last year’s model, though it is less powerful than the Pro’s A19 Pro and has no vapor chamber cooling, leading to some heat during heavy use. Battery capacity is marginally increased to 3,692 mAh, offering around 15 hours of active use, slightly less than last year due to the higher refresh rate screen. Charging is faster but still not very rapid, with full charging taking about 1 hour 25 minutes.
On the camera front, the main shooter remains similar in hardware but produces detailed, well-color-balanced photos with excellent portrait mode capabilities despite limited dynamic range compared to the Pro. The new 48 MP ultrawide sensor offers better resolution but only modest gains in detail and dynamic range. Low-light performance is strong on the main camera with reliable night mode, while the ultrawide struggles more in dim settings. The new selfie camera impresses with autofocus, wide field of view, and excellent image quality, including the ability to shoot in both portrait and landscape orientations without rotating the phone.
Video recording supports 4K capture on all cameras with effective electronic stabilization, excellent detail, and well-handled dynamic range and lighting.
Overall, the iPhone 17 is a compelling vanilla model that bridges the gap between standard and Pro iPhones, offering the best base iPhone experience to date. It is ideal for users wanting a modern iPhone without the premium price or radical design changes seen in Pro models.
- 📱 iPhone 17 introduces a 120 Hz ProMotion display to the base model for the first time.
- 💾 Base storage doubled to 256 GB, with an optional 512 GB tier.
- ⚡ Faster charging with Power Delivery 3.2 and support for reverse wired and wireless charging.
- 📸 New 48 MP ultrawide camera and upgraded 18 MP autofocus selfie camera with landscape shooting.
- 🔋 Battery life around 15 hours active use despite higher refresh rate screen.
- 🎨 iOS 26 brings a new liquid glass design language with rounded, translucent UI elements.
- 🔥 The A19 chip offers solid performance but the phone heats up under prolonged stress testing.
### Key Insights
- 🔄 **120 Hz ProMotion Display in the Base Model:** This is a major shift for Apple, which historically reserved high refresh rate screens for Pro models. The 120 Hz screen on the iPhone 17 means smoother animations and scrolling, elevating the everyday user experience significantly. Additionally, the adaptive refresh rate down to 1 Hz when idle improves battery efficiency, balancing performance with power consumption. The always-on display feature is another first for the vanilla iPhone, reflecting Apple’s push to bring premium features to a broader audience.
- 💾 **Storage Upgrade Reflects User Demand:** Starting at 256 GB instead of 128 GB addresses a common criticism about Apple’s base storage offering. As apps and media files grow larger, this change makes the iPhone 17 more viable for mainstream users without immediately pushing them to expensive higher tiers. However, lack of expandable storage remains, reinforcing Apple’s ecosystem lock-in strategy.
- ⚙️ **Performance and Cooling Trade-offs:** The iPhone 17 uses the A19 chip with 8 GB RAM, less powerful than the Pro’s A19 Pro and 12 GB RAM. While benchmarks show it trailing the Pro models, it still delivers ample power for gaming and heavy tasks. The absence of a vapor chamber cooling system causes thermal throttling and noticeable heat buildup during extended use, suggesting compromises in hardware design to keep costs and size down. This indicates Apple’s prioritization of efficiency and affordability over peak sustained performance in the base model.
- 📸 **Camera Improvements with Limitations:** The main 48 MP ultrawide camera is a significant upgrade, but real-world improvements are modest due to persistent challenges with dynamic range and fine detail capture. The main camera excels in daylight and night photography, especially portrait mode, reflecting Apple’s strength in computational photography and subject detection. Lack of a dedicated telephoto lens means digital zoom is still relied upon, which can reduce quality. The selfie camera’s autofocus and ability to shoot in landscape without rotating the device are unique and user-friendly additions that improve versatility.
- 🔋 **Battery and Charging Dynamics:** The slightly larger battery combined with a higher refresh rate display results in a slight drop in battery life compared to last year, highlighting the energy cost of high refresh rates. The adoption of Power Delivery 3.2 and AVS chargers shows Apple’s move towards more efficient charging protocols, though charger availability remains limited and charging speeds, while improved, are not industry-leading. Reverse wired charging adds flexibility for powering accessories but remains a niche feature.
- 🎨 **iOS 26’s New Design Language:** Apple’s leap from iOS 18 to 26 introduces a bold new liquid glass UI with rounded, translucent elements and bubble-like icons. This signals a major visual overhaul that could divide users between those embracing the fresh aesthetic and traditionalists preferring the classic look. The iPhone 17, running this OS, will be the base device for experiencing these changes, positioning it as a gateway to Apple’s future software vision.
- 🔊 **Audio and Usability:** The slightly quieter stereo speakers still deliver deep and balanced audio, which is important for media consumption. The customizable action key adds convenience for silencing the phone or executing shortcuts, enhancing day-to-day usability. The retention of Face ID without fingerprint scanning continues Apple’s biometric direction, though some users might miss the alternative authentication method.
In summary, the iPhone 17 is a thoughtfully upgraded base model that narrows the gap with Pro models through key features like the 120 Hz display and improved cameras, while balancing cost and practical considerations. It represents Apple’s strategic effort to enhance the vanilla iPhone’s appeal without cannibalizing the premium lineup, making it arguably the best vanilla iPhone to date for users seeking a modern, powerful device without the higher price tag or radical design changes of Pro models.
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