iPhone 17 & iPhone 17 Pro Reviews: Display, Battery, Performance

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The iPhone 17 brings more innovations than any standard model in years. Initial reviews show that choosing the base model no longer means sacrificing important features. With a larger display, ProMotion technology, a significantly improved camera, and longer battery life, the iPhone 17 is taking center stage – challenging the current balance between standard and Pro versions.

Even before the entire iPhone 17 series officially launches, magazines and tech portals like The Verge, TechRadar, CNET, WIRED, and Engadget have published their reviews. Especially with the base model, it's clear that Apple is raising the bar. Features previously reserved only for Pro devices are now finding their way into the standard model. At the same time, the Pro variants set new standards in camera, performance, and design.

Larger display with ProMotion and Always-On

The iPhone 17 offers the largest display upgrade ever for a standard model. The panel grows to 6.3 inches and features Super Retina XDR OLED resolution. New is ProMotion support, enabling refresh rates from 1 to 120 Hz. This ensures smooth scrolling, sleek animations, and better visuals for games and videos. Another key feature is the Always-On Display, previously reserved for the Pro versions. When idle, it displays widgets, the time, wallpaper, and notifications. The Verge describes this feature as extremely practical and a real added value in everyday use. The display is additionally protected with Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is three times more scratch-resistant than the iPhone 16. TechRadar calls the display the "star of the show" and highlights the cumulative improvements.

48-megapixel camera with new possibilities

For the camera system, Apple relies on two 48-megapixel sensors on the iPhone 17: a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle camera. This replaces the previous 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens of the iPhone 16. Standard shots are taken at 24 megapixels, but 48 megapixels can be activated if needed to capture finer details. There are also 2x telephoto shots at 12 megapixels, which retain a good level of sharpness and detail even when zoomed in. According to CNET , this gives the iPhone 17 more photographic flexibility than the iPhone Air, which doesn't support 0.5x ultra-wide-angle shots or cinematic video. This clearly sets the standard version apart from Apple's thinner Air model.

More power and longer battery life

There's also a noticeable improvement in performance. The new chip in the iPhone 17 delivers increased speed and significantly longer battery life. Initial tests confirm that the device lasts significantly longer than its predecessors, the iPhone 16, 15, and 14. This makes the base model more suitable for everyday use and more reliable.

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: Differences and new features

In addition to the standard model, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max were also tested. Both devices feature major design changes, including a unibody aluminum frame and a full-width rear camera. New color variants include Silver, Deep Blue, and Cosmic Orange. The front camera is completely new and features an 18-megapixel sensor with auto-rotation and Center Stage. Of particular note is the new 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 4x and 8x optical zoom.

The A19 Pro chip, equipped with neural accelerators and vapor chamber cooling, provides the power. The cooling system distributes heat better, which is particularly noticeable when gaming. WIRED reports significantly more stable performance in demanding games like Assassin's Creed Mirage. The AI-assisted features also benefit. Engadget praises the speed of creating AI-generated content such as emojis or images in apps like Image Playground and Genmoji. Other new features include a brighter display, an improved anti-reflective coating, Ceramic Shield 2, and longer battery life. The Pro models offer 20 to 40 percent longer battery life than the iPhone Air and the standard model, making them the devices for users who want maximum endurance and a flexible telephoto camera. CNET highlights that 4x zoom telephoto shots in good light conditions almost match the main camera, while 8x zoom shots in low light have more noise.

iPhone Air reviews: Is the thinnest iPhone worth it?

More choice than ever: iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro at a glance

The first reviews of the iPhone 17 show that the base model is more than just a slimmed-down version. With a new display, Always-On functionality, ProMotion, a more powerful camera, and longer battery life, it offers features previously reserved for the Pro versions. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max add further highlights with the new telephoto camera, the A19 Pro chip with neural accelerators, and the redesigned design. Both models also offer longer battery life and advanced AI features. This makes the choice more difficult than ever: The iPhone 17 impresses with its excellent value, while the Pro models remain particularly attractive to users who expect maximum camera flexibility, top performance, and longer battery life. (Image: Apple)