Apple’s Awe Dropping event on September 9th, 2025, delivered more than just hype this year! It dropped what many are calling the most feature-packed and value-for-money iPhone yet. iPhone 17 has gotten serious upgrades compared to the previous generations.
This includes the new 120Hz ProMotion display, Center Stage front camera, and a jump to 256GB base storage—all while keeping the price the same as last year. And if you’re anything like me, you probably have a ton of questions. So, as the iPhone nerd I am, let me answer all your questions related to the new iPhone 17.
Table of Contents
- 1. How Much Will the iPhone 17 Cost?
- 2. Will the iPhone 17 Be Different From the iPhone 16?
- 3. What Colours Are Available for iPhone 17?
- 4. What Is New in the iPhone 17 Camera?
- 5. What's the Battery Life of iPhone 17?
- 6. What Charging Speeds Does the iPhone 17 Support?
- 7. Is the iPhone 17 Worth Upgrading From the iPhone 16?
- 8. Is the iPhone 17 Waterproof?
- 9. What's So Special About iPhone 17?
- 10. What is the Difference Between iPhone 17 and iPhone Air?
- 11. What Size Screen is the iPhone 17?
- 12. Should You Buy the iPhone 17?
- Final Thoughts
1. How Much Will the iPhone 17 Cost?
The price of the iPhone 17 varies depending on the model and storage capacity.
For the US, the pricing is as follows:
- iPhone 17 256GB: $799
- iPhone 17 512GB: $999
For the standard iPhone 17, Apple has upgraded the base storage to 256GB.
With this, the new model offers more value when compared to the previous generation’s pricing at the same storage tier.
Apart from that, the pricing of the rest of the 17 series is as follows:
- iPhone Air: Starting at $999
- iPhone 17 Pro: Starting at $1,099
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Starting at $1,199
2. Will the iPhone 17 Be Different From the iPhone 16?
Yes, the iPhone 17 is a significant upgrade over the iPhone 16, especially for the base model.
Since last year’s iPhone 16 only had an incremental upgrade, the new iPhone 17 effectively narrows the gap between the standard and Pro versions.
Here’s a comparison between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16:
| Features | iPhone 17 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 120Hz ProMotion, 3000 nits peak brightness, 6.3-inch | 60Hz display, 1600 nits peak brightness, 6.1-inch |
| Rear Camera | 48MP Fusion main with 2x optical-like zoom, 48MP Fusion ultrawide with macro | 48MP main sensor with 2x zoom, 12MP ultrawide |
| Front Camera | New 18MP Centre Stage camera with Dual Capture | 12MP wide lens |
| Performance | A19 Bionic | A18 Bionic |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours video playback | Up to 22 hours video playback |
| Storage (GB) | 256, 512 | 128, 256, 512 |
3. What Colours Are Available for iPhone 17?
The standard iPhone 17 is available in five finishes:
- Black
- White
- Lavender
- Mist Blue
- Sage
As for the iPhone Air, you can get it in these colours:
- Cloud White
- Space Black
- Light Gold
- Sky Blue
For the top-of-the-line iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, Apple is offering them at:
- Silver
- Deep Blue
- Cosmic Orange
4. What Is New in the iPhone 17 Camera?
Apple brought some major features to the base iPhone 17, with significant improvements to both the front and rear cameras.
With this, the base model is getting very close to the Pro series. Let me show you the features:
1. New Centre Stage Front Camera
The iPhone 17 gets a new 18MP Centre Stage front camera that uses Apple intelligence to automatically adjust the frame during video calls, even as you move around.
This works even for group selfies where the camera automatically expands its field of view to fit everyone in.
This is made possible by Apple now using a square sensor that allows flexible framing.
With this, you can switch between portrait and landscape orientation without rotating your phone!
Apple has also added the long-awaited Dual Capture feature, which, like the name suggests, lets you record video with both the front and rear cameras simultaneously.
2. Upgraded Rear Cameras (iPhone 17)
Similar to the front camera, Apple also upgraded the rear cameras; now both are 48MP.
The ultrawide lens is now a 48MP Fusion camera, up from 12MP from the iPhone 16. This improves details and macro photography.
Meanwhile, the main 48MP sensor can achieve a better 2x zoom that can match optical-quality telephoto options.
5. What’s the Battery Life of iPhone 17?
Like always, Apple doesn’t reveal the actual battery size of their devices.
However, the backup promises Apple makes usually hold true in real-world usage.
According to Apple, the iPhone 17 can now play video up to 30 hours, an impressive eight-hour increase over the iPhone 16.
As for the rest of the iPhone 17 series, it is as follows:
- iPhone Air: Up to 27 hours of video playback.
- iPhone 17 Pro: Up to 33 hours of video playback.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Up to 39 hours of video playback.
And when you do need to charge, the new models offer impressive charging speeds, which we’ll cover in the next section.
6. What Charging Speeds Does the iPhone 17 Support?
Apple upgraded iPhone 17’s fast charging speeds. The standard iPhone 17 now supports 40W wired charging, which can get to 50% within 20 minutes.
The rest of the 17 series also supports 25W MagSafe charging, with the exception of the iPhone Air, which is limited to 20W.
As for MagSafe, the iPhone 17 now supports up to 25W wirelessly using a MagSafe or Qi2.2 certified charger.
The same is the case for MagSafe for the rest of the 17 series, except the Air, which is limited to 20W MagSafe charging.
As for reverse wireless charging, the iPhone 17 series maxes at 4.5W.
7. Is the iPhone 17 Worth Upgrading From the iPhone 16?
The simple answer is no. While the new iPhone 17 is an upgrade to iPhone 16 in every way, iPhone 16 is still a capable device and can easily last for a long time.
However, if you want to convince yourself whether to upgrade or not, here are some points you can look at:
Reasons to Upgrade
- Better display: It comes with the new 120Hz ProMotion display, higher peak brightness (3000 nits) and also comes with an anti-reflective coating for better outdoor visibility.
- Massive battery life boost: The iPhone 17 provides up to 30 hours of video playback, an eight-hour increase over the iPhone 16.
- Upgraded cameras: You get a much-improved camera system, including a new 48MP ultrawide lens and an upgraded 18MP Centre Stage front camera, great for video calls and selfies without switching to landscape mode.
- Better value: The iPhone 17 now starts with 256GB of storage for the same $799 starting price as the iPhone 16 did at launch.
- Faster charging: The standard iPhone 17 now supports 40W wired fast charging, allowing you to charge up to 50% in just 20 minutes with a compatible adapter.
Reasons to Hold Off
- Higher refresh rate doesn’t matter: Hear me out! Unless you are coming from the Pro series, a higher refresh rate doesn’t matter. The iPhone 17’s new LTPO display is a major plus for gamers and for those who want an Always-On Display (AOD).
- You’ll get mostly the same software features: The new software features like Apple Intelligence, Call Screening, and Live Translate are part of iOS 26 and will be available to the iPhone 16 too.
- Capable cameras: Yes, the iPhone 17 got some good upgrades with the camera, but that doesn’t mean the iPhone 16 is not capable. It still has a very good set of cameras that can take amazing pictures.
8. Is the iPhone 17 Waterproof?
No. iPhone 17 is not fully waterproof but is only water-resistant. The iPhone 17 has an IP68 rating and can withstand accidental spills, splashes, and submersion.
However, it is not suggested to intentionally or continuously expose the device in water, as Apple does not cover water damage under warranty.
9. What’s So Special About iPhone 17?
This time, iPhone 17 brings many Pro features, including a ProMotion display, an advanced camera system (similar to Pro series), and the powerful A19 chip.
It significantly narrows the gap between the base model and the more expensive Pro versions, making it a device to consider.
Key features to check out:
- ProMotion display: For the first time, the base model gets a 120Hz ProMotion display, making scrolling and animations much smoother.
- Brighter screen: The display is also significantly brighter, with a peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits, and is protected by a new, more scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2. It is also equipped with a new anti-reflective coating.
- New camera system: The dual camera system on the back features two 48-megapixel sensors for the main and the ultra-wide lens. On the front, there is a new 18MP Center Stage camera that, with the help of a bigger square sensor, can switch to landscape without moving the device.
- Improved battery and performance: Powered by the more efficient A19 chip, the standard iPhone 17 offers a much longer battery life than the iPhone 16.
10. What is the Difference Between iPhone 17 and iPhone Air?
The key difference between the iPhone 17 and the iPhone Air is their focus:
While the standard 17 focuses on a general audience, The Air is for those who prefer an ultra-thin, lightweight form factor.
However, there are more differences:
| Features | iPhone 17 | iPhone Air |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Aluminium frame, dual-camera in vertical “pill” islandCeramic Shield 2 (front only) | Thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, titanium frame, unique “plateau” camera barCeramic Shield 2 (front & back) |
| Display Size | 6.3-inch display | 6.5-inch display |
| Device Size & Weight | 8.75 mm thick, 204 g | 5.6 mm thick, 165 g |
| Processor | A19 Bionic | A19 Pro (one less GPU core than Pro series) |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP wide (2x optical-like zoom) + 48MP ultrawide | Single 48MP main camera with 2x optical-like zoom |
| Battery Life & Charging | Up to 30 hours video playback40W wired, 25W wireless MagSafe | Up to 27 hours video playback25W wired, 20W wireless MagSafe |
11. What Size Screen is the iPhone 17?
The standard iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display. It features a 120Hz ProMotion display and can go up to 3000 nits of peak brightness.
12. Should You Buy the iPhone 17?
If you want an affordable flagship with Pro-level features, the iPhone 17 is the sweet spot in Apple’s 2025 lineup. It blurs the line between standard and Pro, making it hard to skip.
Final Thoughts
That about covers everything important. I’ve made sure to cover all the important questions around the iPhone 17. There’s no doubt that Apple has finally blurred the lines between the standard and Pro models.
The addition of the ProMotion display, the smarter cameras, and the huge jump in battery life makes this a tough iPhone to pass up. I’m excited to hear what you think of all the new features!
Also, did I miss a question you have? Let me know in the comments!
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