This year, Apple has significantly revamped its smartphone lineup. If you missed the announcement earlier this week, here’s a quick rundown. The iPhone Pro models now feature a new design, a new “Air” tier has been introduced, and the standard edition has received substantial upgrades that may sway buyers from the smaller Pro variant.
The competition, like the smaller Galaxy S and Pixel Pro models, might be feeling the pressure due to these changes.
So, what sets the Apple iPhone 17 apart? It finally includes a ProMotion display with a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate and an anti-reflective coating, a feature typically reserved for the Galaxy S Ultra. The display has also grown to 6.3 inches from the previous 6.1 inches.
The iPhone 17 is powered by the new Apple A19 chip, offering significant performance improvements, and now starts at 256GB of storage, unlike the Pixel 10 Pro and Galaxy S25, which start at 128GB. The ultra-wide camera has been upgraded to 48MP, and the front camera now features a new sensor and optical image stabilization. It also boasts a larger battery and faster charging, all while maintaining the same price as its predecessor.
If you’re considering the iPhone 17, know that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are still available at reduced prices.
The iPhone 17 Pro stands out with the more powerful A19 Pro chipset and a new 48MP 4x/100mm telephoto camera. The main camera’s 48MP sensor is also larger. However, the Pro model is priced higher, with the new 256GB base storage costing $100/€100/£100 more than the previous 128GB model, making it $300/€350/£300 more expensive than the standard iPhone 17. Is the investment worth it?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a similar story with a larger 6.9-inch display and a slightly increased battery capacity. In some regions, Apple is only offering eSIM models, which have slightly larger batteries than their physical SIM counterparts. The Pro Max already started at 256GB, so its price remains unchanged from last year. Are you interested in the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Additionally, Apple has introduced the new iPhone Air, not labeled as “iPhone 17 Air.” It’s priced $100/€100/£100 higher than the Plus, but it’s not a direct replacement. It’s more compact with a 6.5-inch display, significantly lighter and thinner, but with a lower battery capacity. It features a single 48MP rear camera, similar to the standard iPhone 17, while the Galaxy S25 Edge offers a 200MP main camera with a 12MP ultra-wide lens. However, it does include the powerful A19 Pro chipset.
The iPhone Air represents a new category for Apple, and its success is yet to be determined. Could it surpass the Plus and the now-retired mini? Only time will tell. For now, we’re eager to know if you’ll choose the Air over other options.
