iPhone 17 - Best Overall Value
The iPhone 17 delivers Pro-level features like a 120Hz display and 256GB base storage at a mainstream price, making it the best value for most users.
- +Features a 120Hz ProMotion display with Always-On capability
- +Starts with 256GB of storage, double the previous base model
- +Includes a 48MP ultrawide camera and upgraded 18MP front camera with Center Stage
- -Lacks a dedicated telephoto zoom lens
- -Battery life is slightly shorter than Pro models
- -Design is nearly identical to the previous iPhone 16
The iPhone 17 represents a significant shift in Apple's strategy, bringing features previously reserved for Pro models to its standard flagship. The 6.3-inch display now supports a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, enabling smoother scrolling and an Always-On display for at-a-glance notifications. This is a major quality-of-life improvement over the static 60Hz screens of past base models. Performance is handled by the new A19 chip, which provides more than enough power for everyday tasks, gaming, and the full suite of iOS 26 features, including the Liquid Glass interface and Apple Intelligence. The camera system receives meaningful upgrades.
The ultrawide camera jumps from 12MP to 48MP, capturing more detail, while the front-facing camera is now an 18MP sensor with a square design that allows for horizontal selfies without rotating the phone. The main 48MP camera supports features like Dual Capture, recording from front and rear cameras simultaneously. Battery life is rated for up to 30 hours of video playback, an eight-hour improvement over the iPhone 16, and it supports faster 25W wireless charging. Starting at 256GB of storage, it offers better long-term value out of the box. While it doesn't have the telephoto lens or the maximum battery endurance of the Pro models, it captures about 90% of the high-end iPhone experience for a substantially lower price, making it the most compelling choice for the majority of buyers.