Apple iPhone 17 Review: Why Boring Is Actually Brilliant
▼ Summary
– Apple maintains a persistent camera gap between Pro and regular iPhones, but most other features eventually trickle down to the regular models after a generation or two.
– ProMotion, a 120Hz screen refresh rate feature, has been a key Pro model selling point since 2021 but has been slow to reach the regular iPhone lineup.
– The iPhone 17 finally includes ProMotion and a base storage increase to 256GB, significantly narrowing the perceived gap with the Pro models.
– The iPhone 17 is externally near-identical to the iPhone 16 and continues a design lineage dating back to the iPhone 12, with few external changes.
– Despite its familiar design, the iPhone 17 is positioned as the best upgrade option this year due to its new internal features and value proposition.
The latest iPhone 17 might not scream innovation from the rooftops, but its thoughtful refinements deliver a user experience that feels more complete than ever. By finally incorporating ProMotion display technology and doubling the base storage to 256GB, Apple has significantly narrowed the performance gap with its Pro models. This strategic move makes the standard iPhone an incredibly compelling option for a wider range of users, proving that meaningful upgrades don’t always require a radical new look.
For years, Apple has maintained a clear hierarchy between its standard and Pro iPhone lines. While features like the edge-to-edge OLED screen, Dynamic Island, and Face ID eventually make their way to the non-Pro version, one key advantage has remained a Pro exclusive: ProMotion. This technology allows the screen to refresh up to 120 times per second, creating a noticeably smoother and more fluid interaction with everything from scrolling web pages to navigating menus. Since its introduction on the iPhone 13 Pro, this premium feel, combined with the always-on display capability, has been a major reason to choose the more expensive model.
That exclusive advantage has now ended. The inclusion of a 120Hz ProMotion display on the iPhone 17, a feature common on many Android phones for some time, is a game-changer for the base model. When paired with the welcome jump to 256GB of starting storage, the overall package feels substantially more premium. The difference between this year’s standard iPhone and the Pro variant feels slimmer than it has in many generations. If you previously upgraded to a Pro model but are hesitant about the high cost again, the iPhone 17 presents a powerful reason to switch back. Similarly, if you’ve always been tempted by the Pro’s features but held off, you can now enjoy a top-tier experience without the premium price tag.
Visually, the iPhone 17 is a familiar sight. It retains the same core design language that Apple established with the iPhone 12, with the iPhone 16’s external appearance carrying over almost unchanged. The most noticeable design shifts in recent memory came with the iPhone 15, which introduced the Dynamic Island and replaced the Lightning port with the more universal USB-C. While the iPhone 17 doesn’t offer a fresh new look, its internal enhancements are what truly matter. This model may be the most iterative in terms of design, but it stands out as this year’s most significant and valuable upgrade for the average user.
(Source: Ars Technica)
