Ever since Apple officially announced the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro series, and the brand-new iPhone Air for preorder, most of the spotlight has naturally fallen on the Pro lineup. But don’t overlook the standard iPhone 17 this year. Apple has given it one of the biggest leaps in features we’ve seen in years, making it far more than just a minor refresh.
In this review, we’ll walk you through the iPhone 17’s specifications, pricing, and colors, while also doing a side-by-side comparison with last year’s iPhone 16. If you’re wondering whether to spend a bit more on the new model or save $100 by sticking with the iPhone 16, here’s everything you need to know before buying.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Biggest Upgrades You Need to Know Before Buying
At first glance, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 look almost identical. Both retain Apple’s sleek aluminum build and flat-edge design. But when you dive into the details, the iPhone 17 introduces several meaningful upgrades that bring it much closer to Pro-level performance.
Here’s a quick comparison chart:
| Feature | iPhone 17 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A19 Bionic | A18 Bionic |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Display Size | 6.3-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED |
| Base Storage | 256GB | 128GB |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP Fusion Main + 48MP Ultra Wide | 48MP Main + 12MP Ultra Wide |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours video playback | Up to 22 hours |
| Colors | Black, White, Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage | Black, Pink, Yellow, Blue, Green |
2025 Best MagSafe Case for iPhone 17 Pro Max
1. ProMotion 120Hz Display with Slim Bezels
The iPhone 17 is the first non-Pro iPhone to feature a 120Hz ProMotion display. This means smoother scrolling, more responsive gameplay, and fluid animations — something you only got on Pro models before.
The display also grows slightly to 6.3 inches with slimmer bezels, giving it the same immersive feel as the Pro series.
2. Always-On Display with 3,000 Nits Brightness
Apple also introduced Always-On Display (AOD) to the standard iPhone 17, . Add to that 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness, compared to the iPhone 16’s 2,000 nits, and you get a far better viewing experience in sunlight.
2025 Best MagSafe Chargers for iPhone 17 Pro Max
3. Stronger Durability with Ceramic Shield 2.0 + AR Anti-Reflective Coating
The iPhone 17 uses the second-generation Ceramic Shield, which Apple claims is 3x stronger against scratches. On top of that, it features a seven-layer anti-reflective (AR) coating to reduce glare, making outdoor use more comfortable than ever.
4. Camera Upgrades: Dual Breakthroughs
The rear camera system brings a huge step up. The iPhone 17 now comes with:
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The main camera is a 48MP sensor, and it can switch between 24MP and 48MP modes—24MP for everyday storage and sharing, and 48MP when you need extra detail. It also offers Apple’s so-called “optical-quality 2x zoom,” achieved through sensor cropping, which works great for portraits and mid-range shots.
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The second lens is a 48MP Ultra Wide camera, providing a 120° field of view and support for macro photography.
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Overall, the iPhone 17 camera delivers clear improvements for daily photos, landscapes, and portraits, and it supports up to 10x digital zoom for more flexibility in capturing distant subjects.
On the front, the 18MP Center Stage camera automatically adjusts between portrait and landscape, making group selfies or FaceTime calls seamless without rotating your phone.
The new Center Stage front camera can switch between portrait and landscape automatically, making sure everyone fits into the shot. You don’t need to turn your phone by hand anymore.
5. Storage Upgrade: 256GB Base Model
For the first time, Apple is ditching the 128GB entry model. The iPhone 17 starts at 256GB, which doubles the storage compared to the iPhone 16. If you take lots of photos, shoot 4K videos, or store offline content, this is a very welcome change.
6. New A19 Bionic Chip
The iPhone 17 runs on the A19 Bionic chip built on TSMC’s N3P process. Benchmarks show a single-core score of 3608 and multi-core of 8810 — slightly lower than the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro multi-core scores but still extremely fast for daily use.
For most users, this means smoother multitasking, power efficiency, and enough headroom for years of iOS updates.
7. Better Battery Life
Battery life is one of the iPhone 17’s biggest wins. With a 3,692mAh battery, Apple claims up to 30 hours of video playback — a massive jump from the iPhone 16’s 22 hours and even beating the iPhone 16 Pro’s 27 hours.
This alone makes the upgrade worthwhile for heavy users.
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8. Pricing
- iPhone 17 (256GB base): $799
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iPhone 16 (128GB base): $699
That’s only a $100 difference, but you’re getting double the storage, ProMotion display, Always-On Display, stronger durability, and longer battery life.
Should You Upgrade to iPhone 17?
The iPhone 17 is one of the biggest leaps for a standard iPhone in recent memory. From the 120Hz display and Always-On feature to the upgraded camera system, doubled storage, and all-day battery life, Apple has effectively blurred the line between the regular and Pro models.
Yes, the A19 chip’s multi-core performance isn’t a huge leap over the A18, but for real-world usage, that won’t matter much. For just $100 more than the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 offers:
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A smoother display
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Longer battery life
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Stronger durability
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Double the storage
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Better cameras
If you’re currently using an iPhone 14 or 15, the iPhone 17 is an easy recommendation. Even for iPhone 16 users, the jump might be tempting if you value battery and display upgrades.
Introduce the Best 2025 iPhone 17 Pro Max Accessories
If you’ve decided to get the iPhone 17 Pro Max, pairing it with the right accessories makes all the difference. Two options from Zeera stand out:
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Zeera MagSafe Case – A sleek, durable case with a premium grip and stylish finish that perfectly complements the iPhone 17 Pro Max while keeping it protected.
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Zeera Wireless Charger – A fast MagSafe-compatible wireless charger designed for both speed and convenience, so you can power up your iPhone effortlessly.
These accessories not only protect your investment but also make your daily use smoother and more enjoyable.
Conclusion
The iPhone 17 brings major upgrades that make it one of the most impressive standard iPhones Apple has ever released. Whether you value battery life, storage, or display quality, it’s a strong upgrade choice over the iPhone 16. And with the right accessories, your experience gets even better.
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