Short verdict:
Apple’s iPhone 17 refines the familiar design with a brighter 6.3-inch 120 Hz LTPO OLED, the cutting-edge A19 chip, upgraded dual 48 MP cameras, and better efficiency from its 3 nm silicon. Combined with iOS 26, satellite features, and new MagSafe / Qi2 wireless charging, it’s Apple’s most balanced iPhone yet for 2025.
Key Facts
- Release date: September 19 2025
- Display: 6.3″ LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120 Hz, Dolby Vision
- Chipset: Apple A19 (3 nm) — Hexa-core CPU & 5-core GPU
- Camera: Dual 48 MP (main + ultrawide) with OIS & Dolby Vision HDR video
- Battery: 3,692 mAh with PD 3.2 fast charging (50 % in 20 min)
- Software: iOS 26 with 6 years of major updates
- Build: Ceramic Shield 2 glass + aluminum frame, IP68 rated
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, UWB Gen 2, USB-C 2.0, satellite SOS
Design & Build — Familiar but Refined
The iPhone 17 keeps Apple’s minimalist DNA but polishes it further.
Its 149.6 × 71.5 × 8 mm body weighs just 177 g, making it compact yet solid.
The Ceramic Shield 2 front and back glass offer improved scratch resistance, while the aluminum frame adds rigidity. The IP68 rating ensures dust-tight sealing and water resistance up to 6 m for 30 minutes — the best protection in its class.
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Display — Compact Brilliance
Apple’s 6.3″ LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel shines with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR10, and Dolby Vision.
With a measured peak brightness near 3,000 nits, outdoor visibility is exceptional.
The 1206 × 2622 resolution (~460 ppi) guarantees razor-sharp text and vibrant visuals for HDR streaming and gaming.
Performance — A19 Powerhouse
Powered by the Apple A19 (3 nm) chipset, the iPhone 17 easily tops benchmark charts:
- AnTuTu: ≈ 2,109,773 (v10)
- GeekBench: ≈ 9,360 (v6)
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: ≈ 4,803
Real-world performance is even more impressive — apps launch instantly, multitasking is seamless, and 4K video editing runs effortlessly thanks to Apple’s unified memory architecture and NVMe storage.
Gaming & AI: Expect console-level graphics with Metal FX upscaling and next-gen on-device AI for photography, voice, and scene recognition.
Cameras — Dual 48 MP Excellence
Apple refines its dual-camera system:
| Camera | Specs |
|---|---|
| Main | 48 MP f/1.6, 26 mm wide, 1/1.56″, OIS, dual-pixel PDAF |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP f/2.2, 13 mm, 120°, 1/2.55″, PDAF |
| Front | 18 MP f/1.9, 20 mm ultrawide + SL 3D sensor |
Photos retain Apple’s realistic tone mapping with improved low-light detail, and videos reach cinematic quality — 4K HDR/Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, with stereo recording.
The selfie system captures vibrant HDR images and supports spatial video recording for Vision Pro.
Added insight: The wider ultrawide lens delivers noticeably less distortion and sharper corners versus iPhone 15/16 models.
Battery & Charging — Better Efficiency, Faster Top-Up
The 3,692 mAh cell looks modest, but thanks to A19’s efficiency, it posts excellent numbers:
- Active use: ≈ 15 hours
- Endurance: ≈ 41 hours mixed usage
- Fast charging: PD 3.2 25 W (50 % in 20 min)
- Wireless: MagSafe/Qi2 25 W (50 % in 30 min)
- Reverse charging: 4.5 W wired
Battery longevity is rated for over 1,000 cycles, putting it above most Android competitors.
Software & Features — iOS 26 Gets Smarter
iOS 26 refines Apple’s ecosystem integration:
- Enhanced Apple Intelligence AI features for text and photo context.
- Unified Satellite SOS, Messages, Find My connectivity.
- Smarter widgets, redesigned control center, and improved privacy layers.
- Seamless cross-device handoff with iPad OS 19 and macOS Sequoia.
Apple guarantees 6 years of major updates and security patches — a longevity edge for premium buyers.
Connectivity & Extras
- 5G (sub-6 GHz + mmWave)
- Wi-Fi 7 (tri-band with hotspot)
- Bluetooth 6.0 (A2DP, LE)
- UWB Gen 2 for precise AirTag tracking
- USB-C 2.0 with DisplayPort
- Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
Regional SIM setups vary:
- Dual eSIM (US), Nano + eSIM (global), Dual Nano (China).
Pricing & Availability
| Variant | Price | Regions |
|---|---|---|
| 256 GB / 8 GB RAM | €948 / £799 / ≈ $999 | Global |
| 512 GB / 8 GB RAM | €1,089 / £899 / ≈ $1,099 | Global |
Prices may vary based on taxes and carrier deals.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Blazing-fast A19 chip (3 nm)
- 6.3″ 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED
- Dual 48 MP camera with OIS & Dolby Vision
- 15-hour active use battery
- IP68 waterproof + premium Ceramic Shield 2 design
- MagSafe/Qi2 25 W wireless charging
- Long-term iOS update support
Cons
- No microSD slot
- USB-C 2.0 (not Thunderbolt speed)
- Still premium-priced vs rivals
Full Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | Apple iPhone 17 |
| Announced / Released | Sept 9 2025 / Sept 19 2025 |
| Build | Glass (Ceramic Shield 2) front/back, aluminum frame, IP68 |
| Display | 6.3″ LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120 Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 3000 nits peak |
| Resolution | 1206 × 2622 (~460 ppi) |
| Chipset | Apple A19 (3 nm) |
| CPU/GPU | Hexa-core (2×4.26 GHz + 4×efficiency cores) / Apple 5-core GPU |
| RAM/Storage | 8 GB RAM / 256 GB or 512 GB NVMe |
| Main Camera | 48 MP wide (OIS) + 48 MP ultrawide (120°) |
| Selfie | 18 MP ultrawide + SL 3D (depth) |
| Video | 4K up to 60 fps (HDR, Dolby Vision), 1080p 240 fps slow-mo |
| Battery | 3,692 mAh Li-Ion, PD 3.2 25 W wired, 25 W MagSafe/Qi2 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C 2.0, UWB Gen 2 |
| Colors | Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender |
| Models | A3520 (Int’l), A3258 (US), A3519 (ME/CA/MX), A3521 (China) |
| SAR (EU) | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| OS | iOS 26 |
| Price | From €948 / £799 / $999 approx. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does the iPhone 17 support satellite connectivity?
A: Yes — it supports Satellite SOS, Messages, and Find My via satellite for emergencies.
Q: Is the iPhone 17 waterproof?
A: It’s rated IP68, allowing immersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
Q: What charging speed does it support?
A: Up to 25 W wired PD 3.2 fast charging and 25 W wireless MagSafe/Qi2.
Q: How long will it get updates?
A: Apple offers ≈ 6 years of major iOS and security updates.
Verdict
The Apple iPhone 17 refines rather than reinvents — delivering top-tier speed, brilliant display quality, strong camera upgrades, and improved efficiency in a slim, durable body.
Its price is steep, but unmatched performance, ecosystem integration, and long-term software support make it a compelling flagship for 2025.
