Apple’s iPhone 17 range is out in four flavours: the iPhone 17, new iPhone 17 Air, and both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The headline change is the Air, a razor-thin entry that recasts the lineup and essentially replaces the “Plus” tier. And with prices ranging from $799 for the base model to $1,199 for the Pro Max, the question is not which is the “best” phone per se, but rather, which is best for you.
If you have waited a couple of cycles to upgrade (CIRP data indicates many iPhone owners now keep their devices three years or more), the 17 series lays out a solid argument no matter which model you choose, with faster silicon, brighter screens, and meaningful camera improvements across the line up.
What’s in store across the iPhone 17 family
ProMotion comes to the base model for the first time with an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz on every iPhone 17. That translates to smoother scrolling, less input latency, and improved efficiency when the screen ramps down. Screen specialists like DisplayMate have linked higher refresh rates to the perceived clarity of moving images for some time, something you’ll notice very quickly if you’re a mobile gamer or a heavy scroller.
All four phones increase durability with Ceramic Shield 2, and now include an updated 18MP Center Stage front camera with a wider field of view—useful for group shots and landscape selfies when you don’t feel like turning your phone. Inside the case, Apple’s lineup is split between A19 and A19 Pro, with the Pro versions receiving more headroom for heavy lifting and on-device AI. Battery life does improve at the top end, and the Pro models overhaul the thermals with a vapor chamber for more stable sustained performance — something that’s so often backed up with 3DMark-style stress tests in the wider industry.
The iPhone 17: the mass-market sweet spot
The baseline iPhone 17 offers a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion and the A19 processor for $799. It retains the classic iPhone shape with raised camera rings and a frame with beveled edges, an aluminum frame and the ergonomic design you might be accustomed to — great if you like the feel of recent models and you do not yearn for a design swerve.
Photography receives a strong upgrade over a base model: a 48MP Fusion main camera appears alongside a 48MP Fusion ultrawide, and there’s a new 18MP selfie camera that brings in more detail.
Apple claims the battery will last for up to 30 hours of video playback, and storage is available in either 256GB or 512GB. This is the “no-regrets” option for most people: A premium display, modern cameras, good-enough price.
iPhone 17 Air: Ultra-thin and ultra-light with clear trade-offs
The iPhone 17 Air is the lineup’s showpiece, at 5.6mm thick, with a titanium frame and a roomier 6.5-inch ProMotion display. But, even in that silhouette, you have the A19 Pro; Apple’s N1 wireless chip bringing you Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support; and a new C1X cellular modem, providing more and faster connectivity.
The compromises are deliberate. There’s just one 48MP Fusion rear camera (with 28mm and 35mm shooting modes and macro), yes or no, all eSIM connectivity, and a claimed 27 hours of video playback. If pocketability and travel-friendly weight are paramount to you at any cost — and you can forgo an ultrawide or telephoto — the Air has $999 for the iPhone’s most distinctly modern experience of this lineup.
iPhone 17 Pro: performance and camera equilibrium
The iPhone 17 Pro keeps the screen size to 6.3 inches but raises almost everything else. A brushed aluminum unibody, a redesigned “plateau” on the back and a vapor-chamber cooling system underpin the A19 Pro for long sessions of use. Up to 39 hours of video playback are what Apple claims — one of the most important improvements for power users who are always on the go.
Photographers should see that triple 48MP setup: main, ultrawide and a new telephoto, with a larger sensor to get you better low light shots. Apple’s improved Photonic Engine uses AI in order to maintain detail, lowering noise, and in delivering more realistic colors — a direction that lines up with trends that DxOMark and pro reviewers have been setting in recent years. The Pro is the most balanced device for creators and mobile gamers who need high refresh, strong cameras and reliable thermals, priced from $1,099 with up to 1TB of storage.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: the no-compromises flagship
The Pro Max takes the formula to the extreme, with a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display and ProMotion supporting refresh rate and up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness with even better outdoor contrast. If you’re reading, editing or watching video for hours in a bright environment, that luminance headroom counts for more than it sounds on paper.
Inside you’ve got the A19 Pro, a 16‑core Neural Engine — and the N1 chip for next‑gen wireless — and the same vapor-chamber cooling from the Pro. The camera hardware sways the same way as the Pro with a triple 48MP configuration, RAM sticks at 128GB, and storage maxes out at 2TB for media-heavy applications. At $1,199, this is the pick for people who need the biggest screen, the longest battery life and the least compromise — think travelers, mobile videographers and serious gamers.
Which iPhone 17 should you get?
Opt for the iPhone 17 if you’re after slick display and dual-camera practicality for the very best value. It’s most people’s default.
Choose the iPhone 17 Air if thinness and lightness are your utmost priorities. It’s one frequent flyers and minimalists will love but the single rear camera and eSIM-only design are sacrifices you know what you’re making.
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro if you take photos of different types, play graphics-intensive games or want top performance over time. Those triple-cameras and thermal design are paying off in real-world usage.
Go Pro Max if you wish to max out the screen, brightness, storage and battery leeway. It’s the lengthiest long-term buy for creators and power users who push their phones to the limit.
Bottom line: The iPhone 17 family delivers meaningful improvements across the board. If you align those strengths with your daily use, there’s a winner for you.