I Tested Every iPhone 17 Model – Here’s the One You Should Buy

The iPhone 17 lineup presents a surprisingly compelling set of choices this year, making the decision of which model to buy more nuanced than ever. Having tested each device extensively, it’s clear Apple has shifted its strategy, delivering meaningful upgrades across the board while redefining what each tier offers. For many users, the best choice might not be the most expensive one.

This year, the standard iPhone 17 stands out as an exceptional value, packing features that were once reserved for Pro models. Its new 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display delivers buttery-smooth scrolling, while peak brightness reaches an impressive 3000 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The camera system receives a major overhaul, moving to a 48MP dual-camera setup that includes a main and ultrawide sensor. Even the front-facing camera gets a significant upgrade, matching the capabilities found in the Pro and Air models with its intelligent 24MP sensor that automatically adjusts between portrait and landscape orientation.

Perhaps most impressively, Apple increased the base storage to 256GB while holding the price at $799, effectively delivering a $100 price cut compared to last year’s equivalent storage option. When you consider that this year’s base model nearly matches last year’s iPhone 16 Pro in performance and features—while adding next-generation selfie technology—it becomes an easy recommendation for anyone upgrading from an iPhone 13 Pro or earlier. Unless you heavily rely on telephoto zoom, the standard iPhone 17 delivers premium performance without the premium price tag.

For those drawn to innovation, the iPhone Air offers a glimpse into the future of smartphone design. Its impossibly thin profile and lightweight construction make it feel like holding a piece of advanced technology rather than just another phone. The engineering achievement here is undeniable—it’s roughly the thickness of a USB-C port and represents a clear stepping stone toward Apple’s anticipated foldable device.

However, this futuristic design comes with practical compromises. Battery life falls short of other models, and the camera system, while competent, doesn’t match the capabilities of the iPhone 17 or Pro models. This makes the Air a specialty device best suited for early adopters and technology enthusiasts who prioritize form over function. If you’re someone who embraced Google Glass or wears an Apple Vision Pro daily, the Air will feel like a natural extension of your tech-forward lifestyle. For everyone else, the standard iPhone 17 provides better overall value.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max addresses two significant pain points that plagued its predecessors: overheating and telephoto camera performance. Apple abandoned titanium in favor of an aluminum casing that dissipates heat more effectively, combined with an innovative vapor chamber cooling system that keeps the powerful A19 Pro chip running optimally even during intensive tasks. This should eliminate the frustrating overheating issues that occurred during extended photography sessions or when using demanding applications.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the completely reimagined zoom system. The new 48MP tetraprism telephoto camera represents a substantial upgrade from previous models, enabling what Apple calls “optical quality” 8x zoom through intelligent cropping. Early testing shows noticeably improved detail and color accuracy in zoomed images, finally bringing telephoto performance closer to the quality of the main camera. While more testing is needed for definitive conclusions, these improvements suggest the Pro Max might finally satisfy photographers who need reliable zoom capabilities.

For most users, the standard iPhone 17 delivers the best combination of features and value. Its upgraded display, camera system, and storage capacity make it feel more premium than any previous base model. The iPhone Air serves a niche audience of early adopters willing to trade battery life and camera performance for groundbreaking design. Meanwhile, the Pro Max specifically addresses the overheating and zoom limitations of previous Pro models, making it worth consideration for photography enthusiasts and those who experienced thermal issues with earlier devices.

Your ideal choice ultimately depends on your priorities: value seekers should look at the standard model, design enthusiasts might prefer the Air, while serious photographers and power users will find the Pro Max’s thermal improvements and enhanced zoom capabilities worth the investment.

(Source: ZDNET)