Key Features of the iPhone 17
With the iPhone 17 now officially launched, Apple pushes further into premium hardware and refined user experience. Below is a comprehensive look at what’s new, how it compares to past models, and what it means going forward.
1. Display: ProMotion & Always-On for Everyone
The iPhone 17 features a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion support up to 120 Hz, a first for the non-Pro line.
It also includes an Always-On display mode, improved brightness (up to 3,000 nits peak outdoors), and a new Ceramic Shield 2 front cover that Apple says offers better scratch resistance.
It also includes an Always-On display mode, improved brightness (up to 3,000 nits peak outdoors), and a new Ceramic Shield 2 front cover that Apple says offers better scratch resistance.
These display upgrades bring smoother animations, more responsive touch, and better visibility in bright environments.
2. A19 Chip & Improved Efficiency
At the heart of the iPhone 17 is the A19 chip, built on Apple’s advanced 3 nm process.
It uses a 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency), a 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine.
Performance gains are mostly in efficiency and sustained workloads (e.g., AI tasks, gaming), with Apple claiming better thermal profiles and longer battery endurance.
It uses a 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency), a 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine.
Performance gains are mostly in efficiency and sustained workloads (e.g., AI tasks, gaming), with Apple claiming better thermal profiles and longer battery endurance.
3. Camera System Overhaul
The iPhone 17 introduces several notable camera upgrades:
- A 48 MP Dual Fusion system on the back: one Wide (ƒ/1.6) and one Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.2, 120°) lens.
- The Wide lens supports sensor-shift OIS and advanced HDR features via the Photonic Engine pipeline.
- A 48 MP Ultra Wide allows macro photography and better low-light detail.
- Optical zoom up to 2× (via the Wide lens) and digital zoom up to 10×.
- Front camera is now 18 MP with a square sensor to support both portrait and landscape mode.
- It supports Dual Capture to simultaneously record from front and back cameras in Dolby Vision.
For the Pro / Pro Max models, Apple went further: three 48 MP cameras, a new tetraprism telephoto lens (4× at 100 mm, 8× at 200 mm), and improved computational capabilities.
4. USB-C & Charging Upgrades
Apple finally switched the iPhone line to USB-C with iPhone 17.
The base iPhone 17 supports fast charging to 50% in about 20 minutes (with a 40 W or higher adapter).
Wireless charging continues with MagSafe and Qi 2, both capable of ~25 W speeds.
The base iPhone 17 supports fast charging to 50% in about 20 minutes (with a 40 W or higher adapter).
Wireless charging continues with MagSafe and Qi 2, both capable of ~25 W speeds.
These changes bring iPhone in line with industry standards while improving convenience and compatibility.
5. Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, eSIM
The iPhone 17 ships with Apple’s new N1 networking chip, enabling Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, and more efficient connectivity.
It retains ultra-wideband (UWB), NFC (Express Cards), and includes dual-frequency GPS.
In many markets, the iPhone 17 is offered with dual eSIM, dropping physical SIM support.
It retains ultra-wideband (UWB), NFC (Express Cards), and includes dual-frequency GPS.
In many markets, the iPhone 17 is offered with dual eSIM, dropping physical SIM support.
6. Battery & Usage
Apple claims up to 30 hours of video playback on the iPhone 17, a notable increase over prior models.
The battery capacity is reported to be ~3,692 mAh.
Efficiency enhancements from the A19 chip and adaptive power modes in iOS 26 help deliver solid all-day usage even under heavy load.
The battery capacity is reported to be ~3,692 mAh.
Efficiency enhancements from the A19 chip and adaptive power modes in iOS 26 help deliver solid all-day usage even under heavy load.
7. iOS 26 & Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 17 launches with iOS 26, bringing deeper integration with Apple Intelligence, enhanced privacy tools, and more dynamic system interactions.
New features include smarter predictive app behaviors, enhanced on-device features (e.g., improved Siri, generative assistants), and more real-time personalization.
New features include smarter predictive app behaviors, enhanced on-device features (e.g., improved Siri, generative assistants), and more real-time personalization.
8. Design & Sustainability
Visually, the iPhone 17 retains a similar form factor to iPhone 16 but with slimmer bezels and refined surfaces.
It comes in colors like Black, White, Lavender, Mist Blue, and Sage.
Materials include recycled aluminum frame, color-infused glass back, and a more scratch-resistant front display.
It comes in colors like Black, White, Lavender, Mist Blue, and Sage.
Materials include recycled aluminum frame, color-infused glass back, and a more scratch-resistant front display.
Apple continues to emphasize sustainability in packaging, carbon emissions, and material sourcing—all part of its broader environmental goals.
9. Pricing & Availability
The base iPhone 17 begins at $799 for 256 GB, with a 512 GB variant also available.
Pre-orders began September 12, 2025, and units shipped starting September 19, 2025.
Apple also introduced an iPhone Air as a thinner alternative with many of the same internals, available in the 2025 lineup.
Pre-orders began September 12, 2025, and units shipped starting September 19, 2025.
Apple also introduced an iPhone Air as a thinner alternative with many of the same internals, available in the 2025 lineup.
Conclusion
The iPhone 17 marks a bold step forward. With flagship-level displays, upgraded cameras, USB-C, and smarter connectivity, it bridges the gap between base and Pro models. For many users, the standard iPhone 17 now offers nearly all the features that used to be exclusive to the “Pro” line.
Stay tuned for deeper dives into the iPhone 17 Pro, comparisons with rival flagships, and hands-on experience reports in the weeks ahead.