The iPhone 17 combines durability with a refined feel. Its aluminium frame and Ceramic Shield 2 glass front give it strength without adding unnecessary weight, while the phone’s proportions make it comfortable to hold and use throughout the day. The overall design feels intentional and solid, reflecting Apple’s focus on both practicality and premium build quality.
iPhone 17 | Full Review
22/12/25
The iPhone 17 continues Apple’s approach to premium smartphones, combining refined hardware, improved cameras, and software enhancements. Across the standard, Plus, and Pro models, the devices handle calls, messaging, and daily tasks with ease. Displays are bright and responsive, while iOS 26 features make multitasking and app transitions smooth. This review explores how the iPhone 17 balances performance, design, and everyday usability across the different models.
Pros
- Sleek, durable design
- Bright and sharp Super Retina XDR OLED display
- Reliable performance with the A19 chip
- Improved 48 MP Dual Fusion camera
Cons
- Battery life varies by model and usage
- Charging speeds are moderate compared with some competitors
- No expandable storage
iPhone 17 – Overview
The iPhone 17 maintains the classic Apple design while refining performance and camera capabilities. the device handles everyday communication and tasks effortlessly. Displays are bright and responsive, supporting smooth scrolling, media, and multitasking. iOS 26 ensures apps transition smoothly, with improved responsiveness and multitasking stability. The combination of the A19 chip and optimised software allows everyday tasks, from messaging to media playback, to feel fluid and reliable across the lineup.
iPhone 17 – Design
iPhone 17 – Display
The device features a 6.3‑inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, high brightness, and excellent colour reproduction. The panel delivers sharp text, deep contrast, and vibrant visuals, making it well suited to everyday tasks, gaming and video.
iPhone 17 – Camera & Video
The iPhone 17 features a 48MP Dual Fusion rear camera system with wide and ultra‑wide lenses, delivering detailed photos with accurate colour and solid performance across a range of lighting conditions. Video recording supports 4K at 60fps. The improved front camera also enhances selfies and video calls with higher resolution and advanced framing features. Overall, the camera setup on the iPhone 17 performs reliably for everyday photos and video.
iPhone 17 – Spec Options
The iPhone 17 comes with either 256GB or 512GB, giving plenty of room for photos, videos, and apps. There is no option to expand storage with a memory card, so it’s worth picking the right capacity upfront. With 8 GB of RAM, the device handles multitasking smoothly, making it well suited for everyday use and heavier apps alike. Choosing the right storage depends on how much media and how many apps you plan to keep on the device.
iPhone 17 – Build Quality
Apple’s iPhone 17 uses the new Ceramic Shield 2 front glass, which Apple says is three times more resistant to scratches than the previous generation. Independent scratch tests confirm the upgrade holds up noticeably better against harder picks, even if it still benefits from a case for drop protection. The phone also makes extensive use of recycled aluminium and recycled materials throughout, reflecting Apple’s push toward sustainability. Compared with earlier models, the 17’s finish feels robust in daily handling.
iPhone 17 – Performance
The iPhone 17 delivers consistently smooth performance across daily tasks. Messaging, browsing, and streaming run effortlessly, while more demanding activities like heavy gaming or multitasking are handled with ease. The A19 chip keeps performance stable, with minimal heat buildup even during extended sessions.
iPhone 17 – Life and Charge Time
iPhone 17 Pro
- Battery Life – 8h 25m (video playback)
- Charge Time – 67% in ~30 minutes (wired), full in ~1h 16m
iPhone 17
- Battery Life – 7h 19m (video playback)
- Charge Time – 67% in ~30 minutes (wired), full in ~1h 16m
iPhone 16
- Battery Life – 7h 30m (video playback)
- Charge Time – 59% in ~30 minutes (wired), full in ~1h 42m
Battery life on the iPhone 17 is solid for typical daily use, comfortably handling browsing, messaging, and media playback. The Pro model offers slightly longer endurance, making it better suited for extended screen time. Wired fast charging and MagSafe wireless charging are supported, allowing for convenient top-ups, while charging speeds feel noticeably improved over the previous generation. Overall, the iPhone 17 delivers dependable battery performance across its range.
iPhone 17 – Operating System
Geekbench results
CPU single-core scores:
- iPhone 17 Pro – 3,766
- iPhone 17 – 3,611
- iPhone 16 – 3,177
CPU multi-core scores:
- iPhone 17 Pro – 9,756
- iPhone 17 – 9,186
- iPhone 16 – 8,526
The iPhone 17 running iOS 26 feels noticeably smoother and more responsive than its predecessor. Everyday tasks, multitasking, and app navigation are quicker and more stable, with improved performance under load. iOS 26 adds a subtle layer of polish, making the iPhone 17 lineup feel refined and consistent in daily use.
iPhone 17 – Additional Features
Face ID biometric security
5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3
MagSafe wireless charging and accessory support
Advanced AR and ProRes video features on Pro models
iPhone 17 – Problems with Older Phones / Issues to Look Out For
While the iPhone 17 handles most tasks well, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. Battery life can drain faster under heavy use, and charging speeds are moderate compared with some rival devices. Storage is fixed, so you cannot expand it later. Some advanced camera features, such as LiDAR scanning or additional telephoto options, are only available on higher end Pro models, which may limit creative flexibility for certain users.
iPhone 17 – Verdict
The iPhone 17 delivers reliable performance, a sharp display, and solid everyday camera capabilities. It is well built, easy to handle, and handles multitasking smoothly. Limitations include modest battery life under heavy use, slower charging compared with some rivals, and no expandable storage. For most users, it is a dependable, polished option that balances performance and practicality without venturing into Pro level features.