Apple has unveiled the iPhone 17 series, and the standard model now gets some major updates that make it a solid contender for most users. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new and improved.
The iPhone 17 finally comes with a 120Hz ProMotion display. This adaptive refresh-rate screen shifts down to 1Hz when needed, giving you a smoother experience and longer battery life. The panel is bigger too, measuring 6.3 inches with thinner bezels and topping out at 3,000 nits of peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. Added to this is Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which offers 3x better scratch resistance and improved reflection handling thanks to a seven-layer anti-reflective coating.
Powering the device is the A19 chip, bringing faster CPU and GPU speeds. It’s equipped with a 16-core Neural Engine, so you can expect quicker AI and Apple Intelligence apps. Games like Hitman and Sniper Elite 4 run smoother, and the graphics boost should be felt in daily use.
Camera upgrades include a new 48MP ‘Fusion’ system. You get two vertically aligned 48MP sensors on the rear. The main camera acts as both a standard and a telephoto lens, with 2x optical zoom and sensor-shift stabilization, while the ultra-wide offers four times the resolution compared to the previous model. Macro photography gets a boost with a dedicated 12MP function.
Selfies are better with the new 18MP front camera featuring Center Stage, which automatically expands the field of view and rotates between portrait and landscape to capture larger groups. You can also shoot ultra-stabilized 4K HDR video and use Dual Capture to record from the front and back cameras at the same time.
Image Credit: AppleBattery life is improved, with Apple claiming “all-day” use and up to 30 hours of video playback—eight more than the iPhone 16. Charging is faster too, reaching 50% in just 20 minutes if you use Apple’s new high-wattage USB-C Dynamic Power Adapter.
The iPhone 17 comes in five new colors: Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, and Black. Storage starts at 256GB with pricing set at $799 USD (? starting price not listed here). Pre-orders open September 12, and release is set for September 19.
