Summary
Highlights
The video introduces the new iPhone 17, highlighting its starting price of $799 with double the storage (256GB) compared to last year. It comes in five colors, including the new mist blue. The unboxing reveals a USB-C to USB-C cable and documentation mentioning eSIM functionality and an online user guide instead of a physical one. The phone's design is briefly showcased.
The iPhone 17 features an aluminum frame, similar button layout, and USB-C port. It's slightly taller and narrower than the iPhone 16. New durability features include a less reflective display, a new ceramic shield on the front offering three times better scratch resistance, and ceramic shield on the back for the first time. The iPhone 17 still uses USB 2 speeds, unlike the Pro models. Older iPhone cases will not fit the iPhone 17.
The iPhone 17 boasts a 6.3-inch display with 2622x1284 resolution and 460 pixels per inch. It features 120Hz ProMotion, 3000 nits of brightness, an anti-reflective coating, and an always-on display. A significant new accessibility option is the ability to disable pulse-width modulation (PWM) for a smoother display output at low brightness levels, addressing a long-standing concern for users sensitive to screen flicker.
The camera system includes a 48-megapixel wide and ultrawide lens with 2x optical zoom. New features include 'dual capture' for recording with both front and rear cameras simultaneously. The front-facing camera is an upgraded 18-megapixel 'center stage' camera with a new square sensor, offering center stage for photos and video calls, and ultra-stabilized video. ProRes video and Pro Raw features are exclusive to the Pro models.
The iPhone 17 has an increased battery capacity of 3,692 mAh, providing 30 hours of video playback, which is 8 hours more than the iPhone 16. Charging is improved, achieving 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 40-watt or higher USB-C charger, or with MagSafe's CH2 watt charging.
Equipped with the A19 chip and 8GB of RAM, the iPhone 17 shows improved performance, especially in GPU benchmarks, even while running warm during initial setup. It features Apple's new N1 modem, supporting 5G with millimeter wave, Bluetooth 6 with Thread, and the second-generation ultra-wideband chip. Speed tests show download speeds around 1000 Mbps.
Speaker tests indicate that the iPhone 17's speakers are similar to the iPhone 16, reaching 99-100 dB, though they can be distorted at highest volumes and don't match the quality of Pro models. New customization options include dynamic wallpapers and a feature where compatible Apple cases automatically tint the home screen to match the case color.
The reviewer concludes that the iPhone 17 offers the best value in an iPhone in a long time. It incorporates many desired features from the Pro models, such as the Pro display with ProMotion and a larger battery, making it an excellent choice for users who don't need professional features like a telephoto zoom lens. It's considered a great option for its value and reasonable price.