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iPhone 17 Review: Apple Finally Delivers True Value
At Squaredtech, we have reviewed every iPhone launch over the years, but the iPhone 17 feels like a turning point. For the first time, Apple has packed its standard iPhone with features previously locked behind the “Pro” label while keeping the same entry-level price. After a full week of testing, we can confirm: the iPhone 17 is the best-value iPhone Apple has ever released.
The starting price remains $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, but Apple has doubled the base storage to 256GB, making the entry model instantly more attractive. Add in the A19 chip, a 6.3-inch ProMotion Super Retina XDR display with Always-On functionality, and dual 48MP rear cameras, and you begin to see why this device stands out.
Read More About Our Article of 5 Best Android Phones That Beat the iPhone 17 Published on September 15th, 2025 SquaredTech
For users still holding on to older models such as the iPhone 14 or earlier, the iPhone 17 represents a major leap forward. For iPhone 16 users, the upgrade decision depends on how much they value display and camera improvements.
Display and Design: The Standard iPhone Becomes Pro-Like
The standout feature of the iPhone 17 is its 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. Apple has finally included ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate and an Always-On display in its entry-level phone. This move addresses one of the biggest criticisms of past base iPhones, which were locked at 60Hz.
Scrolling through apps like TikTok, playing games, and even swiping through menus now feels smooth and fluid. The Always-On display, which keeps widgets, notifications, and the time visible even when the screen is “off,” adds practical convenience that users will appreciate daily.
The display also boasts a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making outdoor visibility effortless. Paired with Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is three times more scratch-resistant than the iPhone 16’s glass, the iPhone 17 offers durability as well as beauty.
Design-wise, Apple hasn’t reinvented the wheel. The iPhone 17 looks familiar, but its slightly larger size (149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95mm) makes room for the upgraded screen. New color options include Sage Green, Mist Blue, Lavender, Black, and White. The frosted glass back, matte side rails, and polished camera bump give the device a premium finish.
Camera Upgrades: Dual 48MP Lenses and Smarter Selfies
Apple has finally given its base model a camera system worthy of 2025. Both the main wide lens and the ultra-wide lens are now 48MP, a huge jump from the iPhone 16’s 12MP ultra-wide. This means sharper images, better color accuracy, and less distortion at the edges.
The new Center Stage 18MP front-facing camera is another highlight. It automatically adjusts to fit groups into frame, eliminating the struggle of squeezing everyone into selfies. Video calls also benefit, with smoother framing during movement.
For creative users, the new Dual Capture mode allows simultaneous recording with the front and rear cameras. This feature is ideal for concerts, sports games, or family events, letting you capture your reaction and the scene at once.
Apple’s Photonic Engine continues to power computational photography, producing balanced shots even in challenging lighting. Night mode photos are clearer, and the natural bokeh effect has improved, enhancing portraits.
Phone 17 produces images closer to reality compared to some rivals like the Google Pixel, which often boosts saturation. This makes the iPhone 17 an excellent choice for users who prefer natural tones.
Performance and Software: A19 Chip and iOS 26
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 introduces Apple’s new A19 chip, built on a 3nm process. It features a six-core CPU, five-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. While not labeled as a “Pro” chip, its performance is more than enough for demanding tasks.
Squaredtech’s benchmarks recorded 3,701 single-core and 9,460 multi-core scores on Geekbench 6.5, showing a solid improvement over the iPhone 16. Everyday performance is snappy, with apps launching instantly and multitasking handled effortlessly.
Gaming is a strength too. Titles like Asphalt 9 and Disney Speedstorm ran smoothly even with high graphics settings. Importantly, the phone stayed cooler than past models during extended gaming sessions or when using Apple Intelligence features.
The iPhone 17 ships with iOS 26, which brings the new Liquid Glass design language. Menus now layer transparently, giving a fresh visual feel. Customization has improved, with options to tint app icons, change lock screen fonts, and spatialize photos.
Core apps like Phone have been redesigned. Call Screening and live translation during calls add real value. Visual Intelligence lets users scan objects to search online or add calendar events. This integration shows Apple’s focus on AI-driven utility rather than gimmicks.
Battery and Charging: Solid All-Day Use with 40W Charging
Apple rarely shares exact battery sizes, but the iPhone 17 has proven to last a full day of use in our Squaredtech testing. Apple claims up to 30 hours of video playback and 27 hours of streaming playback, improvements over the iPhone 16.
Real-world performance matched these claims. With Always-On enabled, video calls, and heavy app usage, the iPhone 17 consistently lasted from morning to night. For extremely demanding workflows, users may need a late-day recharge, but the new 40W fast charging mitigates this.
In our tests, the iPhone 17 charged from 0 to 50% in 20 minutes and hit 80% in under an hour. Wireless charging via MagSafe remains supported, though there is no official MagSafe battery pack for this generation.
Squaredtech noted that the phone does warm up during the first phase of fast charging but cools as it approaches 80%, which is normal behavior.
Pricing, Availability, and Value
Apple announced the iPhone 17 at its “Awe Dropping” event on September 9, 2025, alongside the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Preorders are live now, with full availability beginning on September 19, 2025.
The iPhone 17 lineup pricing:
- 256GB model: $799 / £799 / AU$1,399
- 512GB model: $999 / £999 / AU$1,799
For users, the jump in base storage to 256GB cannot be overstated. Competing devices from Samsung and Google often require higher spend for similar storage. This makes the iPhone 17 one of the most balanced smartphones in terms of price-to-performance ratio.
Colors available include Sage Green, Mist Blue, Lavender, Black, and White, providing variety without overwhelming buyers.
Squaredtech Verdict: Should You Buy the iPhone 17?
After extensive review, Squaredtech’s verdict is clear: the iPhone 17 is the best-value iPhone Apple has ever released. For iPhone 14 or older owners, this is the perfect time to upgrade. The improvements in display, storage, performance, and camera quality will feel transformative.
For iPhone 15 or 16 owners, the upgrade depends on personal needs. If you value Pro-level display features or a dramatically improved ultra-wide camera, the iPhone 17 is worth considering. If not, your current device is still strong.
But for the majority of buyers, the iPhone 17 strikes the perfect balance: it delivers Pro-level experiences without the Pro-level price.
Read More About Our Article of iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17: Which Device is Better for Price and Features Published on September 14th, 2025 SquaredTech
Squaredtech Final Score:
- Design: 4/5
- Display: 5/5
- Camera: 4.5/5
- Software: 4/5
- Performance: 4.5/5
- Battery: 4/5
- Value: 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5 – The best-value iPhone yet.
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