For years, Apple has been criticized for making small, incremental updates that feel more like recycled models than true innovations. But the iPhone 17 changes that conversation. For the first time in half a decade, Apple’s new base model feels like a massive leap forward—one that finally made me retire my trusty iPhone 11.
I picked up the base iPhone 17 in black (though Apple insists on calling it black, it’s closer to a dark gray). After unboxing it and living with it for a few hours, my first impressions tell me this is more than just an annual refresh. The iPhone 17 has the potential to be Apple’s new “iPhone 11 moment”—a phone that redefines value, balance, and long-term usability.
Design and Colors: Familiar Yet Modern
The iPhone 17 looks and feels premium right out of the box. The bezels are slimmer, giving you more screen without increasing the overall phone size compared to older models like the iPhone 11. That alone makes it feel futuristic while keeping a comfortable form factor.
Apple is offering several attractive color options this year: lavender, blue, sage green, and the so-called “black.” I personally went with black, but deep blue on the iPhone 17 Pro line is easily one of the most beautiful finishes Apple has ever made. Still, I couldn’t justify spending $300–$400 more just for a color.
The design also introduces larger camera modules, a floating notch with Dynamic Island, and the all-new Action Button alongside a dedicated Camera Control Button. These subtle tweaks make the iPhone 17 look fresh while keeping the iconic Apple design language intact.
Display: Finally, Pro Features for the Base Model
Apple borrowed heavily from its Pro line to improve the display on the iPhone 17. For the first time, the base model gets a ProMotion 120Hz display, making animations, scrolling, and everyday use feel buttery smooth compared to the 60Hz panel on the iPhone 11.
Side by side, the difference is immediate. The iPhone 17 feels fluid and modern, while the iPhone 11’s screen almost looks like it has motion blur.
Brightness has also improved dramatically. Outdoors in direct sunlight, the iPhone 11 often struggled, but the iPhone 17’s higher brightness makes navigation and media consumption much easier.
The bezels are thinner, the edges are cleaner, and the floating Dynamic Island looks far more modern than the “attached” notch design of the iPhone 11.
Dynamic Island and Always-On Display
Dynamic Island may seem like a gimmick, but in everyday use, it’s surprisingly useful. Whether you’re controlling music, managing calls, or checking notifications, the feature adds a layer of interactivity that feels natural.
The Always-On Display, however, is more polarizing. While Apple optimized it to dim and drop to a 1Hz refresh rate, I personally find it unnecessary. To me, when the screen is off, it should just be off. Still, some users will appreciate quick glances at notifications and widgets without unlocking the phone.
Hardware and Ports: Welcome USB-C
The iPhone 17 ditches the SIM card tray in many regions, going eSIM-only. While that takes some adjustment, the benefits include faster activations, multiple stored numbers, and even slightly larger batteries due to saved internal space.
Another welcome upgrade is USB-C charging with braided cables. Compared to the old Lightning cables, the new braided USB-C feels sturdier and more universal—especially since most modern devices already rely on USB-C.
Performance: iOS 26 and Beyond
The iPhone 17 ships with iOS 26 out of the box, and everything feels smoother, faster, and more polished. From the liquid-glass animation effects to subtle UI changes, it feels like a leap forward compared to the iPhone 11’s aging performance.
Apple also doubled base storage to 256GB, a huge improvement over the 64GB I had on my iPhone 11. This upgrade alone makes the phone far more usable for people who take lots of photos, videos, or simply store more apps.
Cameras: Bigger, Smarter, and More Capable
The most noticeable physical change on the iPhone 17 is the enlarged rear cameras. Compared to the iPhone 11, the iPhone 17’s two main sensors pack four times the megapixels, which should translate to sharper photos and better dynamic range.
The ultrawide lens also received significant upgrades, though I would have preferred Apple to include a telephoto lens on the base model. That said, images from the standard wide and ultrawide lenses look impressive and offer plenty of flexibility.
The front-facing camera now supports reframing, allowing you to capture wider group selfies without awkward angles. Considering how often people use the selfie camera, this was a smart move from Apple.
One thing to note: colors out of the box lean warmer compared to the more natural look of the iPhone 11. Some users may prefer the warmer tones, while others may find them less accurate.
Audio and Speakers
Apple finally added dual speakers to the base model iPhone 17, and the difference is massive. Compared to the iPhone 11, sound is louder, richer, and even delivers noticeable bass vibrations through the phone body. For music, movies, and gaming, the upgrade is obvious.
Battery and Longevity
While it’s too early to judge battery life in depth, the larger battery combined with the efficiency of iOS 26 and ProMotion should provide better endurance than the iPhone 11 ever did. My old iPhone 11’s battery was practically cooked, so even early impressions show a massive upgrade.
Price and Value
Perhaps the most important factor: the iPhone 17 delivers all of these improvements without a price hike. Starting at the same $800 price as the iPhone 16 at launch, the iPhone 17 feels like a steal in today’s market where tech costs are rising.
From display upgrades to storage increases and Pro-level features, Apple has managed to pack more into the base model while keeping costs the same. That’s why this phone feels like the best value Apple has offered in years.
Should You Get the iPhone 17?
If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 11—or even a 12 or 13—the iPhone 17 feels like a massive leap forward. It doesn’t have every feature of the Pro models, like telephoto lenses or ProRes RAW video, but for most people, it won’t matter.
This phone represents what Apple does best: delivering reliable, polished technology with just the right balance of features and price. And unlike the incremental upgrades of recent years, the iPhone 17 feels exciting.
For 90% of people, the iPhone 17 is the best choice in Apple’s lineup today.
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