The 2025 iPhone 17 continues to outshine many rivals as Apple appears set to postpone the iPhone 18 until March 2027. Launched at $799, the entry‑level model now sits below the $899 Samsung Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 11, making it the most affordable flagship across major brands.
Display, durability and camera upgrades keep it competitive
Apple equipped the iPhone 17 with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh‑rate screen that matches the smoothness of its Pro lineup while conserving battery life. Reviewers note the display is brighter and less reflective than the previous generation, delivering clearer visibility outdoors and in bright environments. The device also inherits Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which the author found more resistant to scratches and drops than the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro during a ten‑month case‑free test.
On the selfie side, the phone introduces an 18‑megapixel square sensor that automatically frames shots based on the number of subjects. This sensor powers Center Stage, a feature that tracks users during video calls on FaceTime and third‑party apps such as WhatsApp, keeping the speaker centered even while moving. The author, who experiences hand tremors, reports that the new sensor stabilizes selfie video recordings, reducing blur.
Rear‑camera hardware also received a boost: a 48‑megapixel wide‑angle lens and a 48‑megapixel ultrawide lens replace the older 12‑megapixel ultrawide unit. While the standard iPhone 17 lacks a telephoto lens and therefore optical zoom, the upgraded sensors deliver sharper photos, improved indoor performance and smoother video capture.
Software experience and battery life
The device ships with iOS 26, which adds translucent controls, expanded customization and new Apple Intelligence features. Early use revealed bugs, including unexpected volume reductions that caused missed calls and alarms, occasional keyboard lag, and disorganized Control Center elements when the phone is held in landscape mode. A public beta of iOS 27, tested on an iPhone 17 Pro Max, addresses many of these issues: separate volume settings for ringer, alarms and media, better Control Center layout in horizontal orientation, and AI‑driven tools like spatial reframing in Photos and a new Siri mode in the Camera app.
Battery endurance remains a strong point. In CNET’s 45‑minute mixed‑use test—streaming, social media, video calls and gaming—the iPhone 17 retained 98 % of its charge, matching the iPhone 17 Pro and ranking second behind the iPhone 17 Pro Max among phones tested in the past year. It ties with the OnePlus 15 and Motorola Razr (2026) for the second‑longest battery life. However, later iOS 26 updates have introduced modest overnight drain, which the author hopes the iOS 27 update will mitigate.
Pricing outlook and future models
Current pricing positions the iPhone 17 as a compelling upgrade, especially as competitors raise entry‑level prices amid rising RAM costs driven by AI workloads. Apple has kept the base iPhone price at $799 (or $829 without carrier discounts) since 2020, but recent price hikes across Macs and iPads suggest the company may raise the entry‑level price before the iPhone 18 arrives.
Rumors indicate the iPhone 18 will be announced on September 9, 2026, with the actual launch slated for March 2027 alongside a lower‑cost iPhone 18E variant. The Pro models are expected to receive the most notable changes—such as a reduced Dynamic Island and upgraded cameras—while the standard iPhone 18 may share a chip with the budget‑oriented 18E, mirroring Google’s strategy with the Pixel 11 and Pixel 10A. Speculation also points to a possible foldable iPhone Ultra in the future.
Given the iPhone 17’s solid hardware, competitive price and the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming iPhone 18, the author concludes that purchasing the 2025 model now remains a sensible choice for anyone needing a new iPhone before September 9, 2026.
Mitchell Landsberg is the senior reporter for News Raise and focuses on Technology. Mitchell regularly writes about social media platforms and how influencers, industry and general people use them to communicate and make money.
