The iPhone 17 is here and looks the same – here's why it could be the top pick

Home / Hot Stuff / The iPhone 17 is here and looks the same – here’s why it could be the top pick

At today’s Apple launch event, the iPhone 17 was revealed – and if you’re thinking that you’ve seen it before, you’re not entirely wrong. The newest iPhone looks remarkably like last year’s iPhone 16. But don’t write it off just yet – because this is shaping up to be the quiet hero of Apple’s new iPhone line-up.

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First up, screen size is up to 6.3 inches, matching last year’s Pro. You can thank slimmer bezels for the extra screen real estate, and the Dynamic Island is here to stay. That larger size is now the baseline – and there’s no Plus or Mini model in sight. Apple’s ProMotion has finally trickled down from the Pro models, so you’re getting 120Hz refresh rates for smoother scrolling and video playback. You’ll also find the Always-On Display make its way to the base-model. It can get up to 3000 nits of peak brightness, which is the brightest iPhone display to date.

The iPhone 17 keeps the dual rear camera setup, with a 48MP main and a 12MP ultra-wide. You get a 2x optical quality Telephoto lens, but that appears to be based on cropping. There’s also a major change up front. You get a new 18MP selfie snapper with support for Center Stage, which means even more megapixels for FaceTimes, social media posts, and the rest. Camera Control (if you use it) makes a reappearance, alongside the Action Button for the first-time on a non-Pro iPhone.

Inside, the iPhone 17 runs on the standard version of Apple’s new A19 chip. It’s made using the improved 3nm process, and includes 8GB RAM. It features a 6-core CPU to make things even more responsive. The 5-core GPU is a big step-up for graphics-intensive tasks. There’s no Apple-designed 5G modem in here, nor the new Apple-designed N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. While frustrating, this isn’t a surprise on the base model. You get the same all-day battery life, which is eight hours longer than the iPhone 16 in video playback. Thanks to new fast-charging, you can charge to 50% in 20 minutes.

Colours include new lavender, mist blue, sage options, alongside the typical black and white. It now starts at 256GB of storage instead of the previous 128GB, but will only go up to 512GB. Pre-orders for iPhone 17 start Friday 12 September from the same $799/£799, shipping the following Friday (19 September).

Apple’s iPhone 17 event is today: here’s what you need to know and how to watch

About

Connor is a writer for Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. He has been writing for around nine years now across the web and in print too. Connor has attended the biggest tech expos, including CES, MWC, and IFA – with contributions as a judge on panels at them. He's also been interviewed as a technology expert on TV and radio by national news outlets including France24. Connor has experience with most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he's a fan of gadgets of all sorts. Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup and venture capital scene, which puts him at the front of new and exciting tech - he is always on the lookout for innovative products.