Review: Apple’s long-overdue upgrades help narrow the gap between its base model and the premium Pro lineup.
Updated: September 24, 2025 — 5:00 AM GMT+6
By: MD Nur Hasan | Senior Tech Reviewer, ReviewHubGlobal
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ReviewHubGlobal Score: 9.1 / 10
Price: $829 (256GB)
Available: Apple.com & major carriers
Pros
- 120Hz adaptive OLED display
- Dual 48MP cameras
- 30-hour battery life
- Faster 40W charging
Cons
- Minimal design changes
- Apple Intelligence still inconsistent
Design & Display: Small Changes, Big Difference
The iPhone 17’s 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen finally jumps to a 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate — a first for Apple’s non-Pro phones. Brightness peaks at 3,000 nits, and the new anti-reflective coating performs impressively under direct sunlight.
Its Ceramic Shield 2 glass feels more durable, and the pastel “Lavender” finish stands out among the new color lineup. Though the design echoes last year’s iPhone 16, the thinner bezels give it a noticeably more immersive look.
Performance: Faster Than It Looks
Powered by the A19 chip, the iPhone 17 benchmarks higher than the iPhone 16 Pro Max on Geekbench 6 (3,612 single / 9,180 multi).
In 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, it scored 4,885, outperforming every non-Pro iPhone to date.
While it lacks the A19 Pro chip of the iPhone Air and 17 Pro, everyday performance feels equally snappy — whether gaming, streaming, or editing 4K video.
| Device | CPU Multi-Core | GPU Score |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | 9,180 | 4,885 |
| iPhone Air | 9,057 | 4,295 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 8,460 | 4,547 |
| Galaxy S25 | 9,604 | 6,496 |
Cameras: Dual 48MP Lenses Deliver More Than Expected
Apple finally gives its base model the 48MP wide + 48MP ultrawide combo — the same resolution setup as the Pro models.
Photos are crisp, with excellent texture and natural color tone, especially in daylight. Low-light performance remains solid, though slightly less detailed than the 17 Pro’s telephoto shots.
New features like Dual Capture (simultaneous front/back video) and Center Stage selfies make it versatile for vloggers.
Battery Life: Apple’s Best Base Model Yet
Apple rates the iPhone 17 for up to 30 hours of video playback, a solid 8-hour boost over last year.
In our 3-hour YouTube streaming test at full brightness, the phone dropped from 100% to 89% — better than both the iPhone Air (85%) and iPhone 17 Pro (87%).
Charging is now faster with 40W wired and 30W MagSafe, giving 50% in just 20 minutes. Adaptive Power Mode also helps extend life during heavy use.
iOS 26: Fluid and Personal
Running iOS 26, the iPhone 17 introduces a cleaner “Liquid Glass” interface and new features like:
- Visual Intelligence – Similar to Google’s Circle to Search
- Live Translation – Real-time multilingual calls
- Adaptive Power Mode – Smart energy optimization
These updates make the base iPhone feel more aligned with its Pro siblings.
Verdict: Skip the Pro Hype
The iPhone 17 doesn’t try to dazzle with gimmicks — it just does everything really well.
If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 14 or 15, this model gives you Pro-level power, better cameras, and modern features without crossing the $1,000 mark.
For most users, this is the iPhone to buy in 2025.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro
| Feature | iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3″ OLED, 120Hz | 6.5″ OLED, 120Hz | 6.3″ OLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | A19 | A19 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Cameras | 48MP + 48MP | 48MP | 48MP + Telephoto |
| Battery Life | 30 hrs | 27 hrs | 33 hrs |
| Starting Price | $829 | $999 | $1,099 |
How We Test
Every device at ReviewHubGlobal goes through real-world testing — from daily app usage to photography, streaming, and gaming. We measure brightness, audio, thermals, and benchmark performance across multiple platforms before assigning a score.
Bottom Line:
The iPhone 17 redefines what Apple’s base model can deliver. It’s fast, elegant, and lasts longer — everything most people actually need. Unless you’re a professional creator chasing telephoto shots, skip the Pro and save $300.
Reviewed by: Emme
Lead Tech Reviewer – ReviewHubGlobal.com
Admin@reviewhubglobal.com
