iPhone 17 / Air / Pro Hands on - Everything’s changed.

Summary

After hands-on time with the new iPhone 17 lineup, the reviewer highlights major upgrades across all models. The base iPhone 17 now packs Pro-level features like a 6.3-inch 120Hz display, improved cameras, and faster charging while keeping the $799 price. The ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air impresses with its design and premium feel but compromises battery, speakers, and cameras. The 17 Pro and Pro Max prioritize performance, featuring thicker bodies for bigger batteries, improved heat dissipation, A19 Pro chips, and advanced camera upgrades. Overall, Apple balances form and function differently across models, offering compelling options for both aesthetics-focused and power-hungry users.

Takeaways

• 📱 The iPhone 17 has significantly upgraded the base model, now offering Pro-level features including a 6.3-inch 120 Hz display and thinnest-ever bezels.
• 💎 The iPhone 17 display now has 3,000 nits of brightness, an anti-reflective coating, and ProMotion technology, making it easier to read in bright environments.
• 📸 Camera upgrades include a 48MP ultrawide lens, improved macro photography, and the ability to record simultaneously with front and rear cameras.
• 🤳 The front camera is now 18MP, square-shaped, and supports both vertical and horizontal selfies with Center Stage for automatic framing during video calls.
• 🔋 The base iPhone 17 offers longer battery life and faster charging while retaining the $799 starting price and upgraded storage of 256GB.
• ✈️ The iPhone 17 Air is extremely thin at 5.6mm, with a premium feel due to titanium rails and ceramic shield, but compromises include smaller battery, slower charging, and single rear camera.
• ⚡ The Air is powered by the new A19 Pro chip, though performance may lag compared to the full Pro models due to its slim design.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max prioritize function over form with thicker bodies, bigger batteries (33-39 hours), improved cooling via metal and vapor chamber design, and the A19 Pro chip.
• 🖼️ Pro cameras now have improved telephoto performance with 48MP resolution at 4x optical zoom, enhancing zoomed-in image quality while retaining the square front camera sensor.
• 💰 Pricing: iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,199 and Pro Max at $1,399, reflecting the enhanced hardware and Pro-focused features.
• 🛡️ Accessories like the Q3 Air case offer strong protection, magnetic mounts, and flexible charging solutions, enhancing usability and convenience.

Q & A

What is the major design change in the base iPhone 17 compared to the iPhone 16?

The iPhone 17 keeps a similar external design to the iPhone 16, but it now has a larger 6.3-inch screen (up from 6.1 inches) and the thinnest bezels ever on an iPhone.

How has the iPhone 17's display improved over previous models?

It features a Ceramic Shield 2 coating for scratch resistance, a 3,000-nit brightness, an anti-reflective coating, and a ProMotion 120 Hz display that can drop to 1 Hz for always-on mode.

What are the camera upgrades on the base iPhone 17?

The ultrawide camera increased from 12 MP to 48 MP, the front camera is now 18 MP with a square sensor allowing both vertical and horizontal selfies, and it includes Center Stage for video calls.

What makes the iPhone 17 Air stand out in terms of design?

It is extremely thin at 5.6 mm, uses a glossy titanium rail and ceramic shield back, and offers a luxurious feel, making it visually striking and very lightweight.

What compromises does the iPhone 17 Air make due to its thinness?

It has a smaller battery, slower charging, a single speaker, and lacks the ultrawide camera, which reduces overall functionality compared to the base iPhone 17.

How do the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max prioritize function over form?

They are slightly thicker to house larger batteries, have a metal construction with vapor chamber cooling for better heat dissipation, and provide enhanced performance and battery life.

What are the battery life improvements in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max?

The iPhone 17 Pro offers up to 33 hours of battery life, while the Pro Max offers up to 39 hours, representing significant gains over the previous generation.

What changes were made to the telephoto camera in the iPhone 17 Pro models?

The telephoto camera now has 4x optical zoom with 48 MP, improving early zoom quality and overall photo resolution despite the slightly lower zoom factor compared to 5x in the previous model.

Which features of the base iPhone 17 were previously exclusive to Pro models?

The base iPhone 17 now includes the ProMotion 120 Hz display, 48 MP ultrawide camera, improved front camera with square sensor, and faster charging—all previously Pro-exclusive features.

How does Apple differentiate the iPhone 17 lineup in terms of user focus?

The base iPhone 17 offers the best value with nearly all Pro features, the Air targets users who prioritize design and portability, and the Pro models focus on high performance, larger batteries, and camera versatility.

What improvements in gaming and performance are noted for the iPhone 17 Pro models?

The A19 Pro chip combined with improved cooling delivers the smoothest and most graphically impressive mobile gaming experience the reviewer has experienced on a smartphone.

What accessory is recommended for improving usability and protection of the new iPhones?

The Q3 Air case, which has strong magnets, a sturdy hinge, grippy sides, and a flex line charger with a retractable USB-C cable, is recommended for protection and enhanced functionality.