iPhone 17 Review: Should You Buy It?

The Bottom Line

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The iPhone 17 is the best “regular” iPhone Apple has ever made. If you want a great phone without paying extra for the Pro model, this is your best bet. It has a gorgeous screen, lasts all day on a charge, and takes excellent photos in most situations. Just don’t expect it to handle marathon gaming sessions or zoom in super close on distant objects.

Price: $799

What’s New and Exciting

The Screen is Stunning

Remember squinting at your phone in bright sunlight? That’s much less of a problem now. The iPhone 17’s screen is brighter, has an anti-glare coating, and is slightly bigger than last year’s model. Scrolling through Instagram or reading articles feels buttery smooth.

Cool new feature: The screen stays dimly lit even when locked, so you can glance at the time or check if your Uber is arriving without touching your phone. No more constantly tapping the screen to see notifications!

There’s also something called “Liquid Glass” that makes apps look semi-see-through, letting you peek at what’s happening behind them. It’s subtle but pretty neat.

Battery Life That Actually Lasts

Here’s something everyone can appreciate: this phone’s battery doesn’t quit on you. After using it all day, reviewers found it still had about 30% charge the next morning. That means less “Can I borrow your charger?” panic and more confidence that your phone will make it through a long day of work, errands, and Netflix on the couch.

Camera Tricks You’ll Actually Use

The camera got some smart upgrades:

Group selfies made easy: The front camera automatically zooms out when it detects more faces, so nobody gets cut out of the shot
Flip without flipping: You can switch between horizontal and vertical photos without physically rotating your phone
Record both ways at once: New “Dual Capture” mode lets you film from the front and back cameras simultaneously—perfect for capturing your kid’s reaction at their first baseball game while also recording the home run

You Get More Storage

Apple doubled the storage space compared to previous base models. That means more room for photos, apps, and videos without constantly getting those annoying “storage full” messages.

What’s Not So Great

Zoom Photos Look Rough

If you like taking pictures of things far away—birds, your kid’s soccer game from the sidelines, architectural details—you’ll be disappointed. When you zoom in all the way, photos look blurry and washed out, almost like a watercolor painting. For everyday photos, it’s fine. But if you’re a zoom-heavy photographer, you might want to spring for the Pro model.

Gets Hot During Gaming

Love playing graphics-intensive games for hours? This phone gets uncomfortably hot. One reviewer said it was “nearly uncomfortable to hold” during demanding games. Casual gamers will be fine, but serious mobile gamers should consider the iPhone 17 Pro, which has better cooling.

The Screen Still Scratches

Apple says the screen is more scratch-resistant, but one reviewer got a tiny scratch within the first week. So yeah, you’ll probably still want a screen protector.

Is It Worth $799?

Let’s be real: $799 isn’t pocket change. But here’s the thing—you’re getting features that used to only come with the $1,000+ Pro models:

✅ Always-on display
✅ Better battery life
✅ Smoother screen
✅ Double the storage
✅ Advanced camera features

Apple has finally made a base iPhone that doesn’t feel like you’re settling for second-best.

Who Should Buy This Phone?

✅ Perfect for you if:

You want a great iPhone without Pro model prices
You’re upgrading from an iPhone that’s 3+ years old
You care about battery life lasting all day
You take lots of photos in normal conditions (not super zoomed in)
You want a phone that just works and will get iOS updates for years

❌ Maybe skip it if:

You’re a hardcore mobile gamer
You frequently take zoomed-in photos
You’re happy with your current phone
You’re on a tight budget (consider last year’s model or Android alternatives)
You need the absolute best camera Apple offers

Comparison: Should You Pay More for the Pro?

Stick with the regular iPhone 17 if: You use your phone for typical stuff—texting, social media, photos, streaming, casual games. You’ll be perfectly happy.

Upgrade to iPhone 17 Pro if: You’re a serious photographer, play demanding games regularly, or want the absolute best specs. The Pro has better zoom, superior cooling, and a few extra camera features.

Consider last year’s model if: The $799 price tag is too steep. The iPhone 16 is still excellent and will be cheaper now.

Real Talk: The Pros and Cons

👍 What You’ll Love

Battery life that eliminates charging anxiety
Gorgeous display that’s easy to see anywhere
Smart camera features that make everyday photos better
Finally feels like a “complete” iPhone, not a stripped-down version
Will last you 4-5 years with iOS updates

👎 What Might Frustrate You

Gets hot during intense gaming
Zoom photos aren’t great
Still expensive compared to some Android phones
Screen protector still recommended despite “better” scratch resistance

The Verdict

If you’re in the market for a new iPhone and don’t need Pro-level features, the iPhone 17 is the best base model Apple has ever released. Period.

It’s not perfect—the zoom is weak and gamers might be annoyed by the heat—but for most people doing most things, this phone delivers. The improved battery life alone makes it worth considering if you’re upgrading from an older model.

At $799, it’s not cheap. But you’re getting genuinely premium features, not just paying for the Apple logo. If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, the iPhone 17 finally gives you enough new features to justify making the jump.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Our Recommendation: Buy it if you need a new phone and can afford it. Wait if your current phone is less than 2 years old or if you’re on a tight budget.

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