What the reviewers said

Tom's Guide

4.5/5Nov 6, 2025

Best-value base iPhone with 120Hz display, double storage and same $799 price, though telephoto and AI features lag rivals.

Smooth 120Hz refresh rate display
Same $799 starting price as before
256GB base storage, double the previous model
Strong A19 performance
iOS 26 visual redesign

Telephoto performance underperforms rivals
Few new Apple Intelligence features
Subdued new color options less appealing to reviewer

Read the full review at Tom's Guide →

TechRadar

4.5/5Sep 17, 2025

The iPhone 17 is the best standard iPhone in years, bringing ProMotion and Always-On to a cheaper model with double the starting storage at the same price.

Always-On display with ProMotion 120Hz
Double starting storage at same $799 price
A19 chip is plenty powerful
Upgraded 48MP main and ultra-wide cameras
Center Stage front camera improves group selfies

No dedicated telephoto lens
Colors less vibrant than last year's Ultra Marine
No true redesign over iPhone 16

Read the full review at TechRadar →

The Verge

8/10Sep 17, 2025

The iPhone 17 is the best standard iPhone in years, gaining always-on and high-refresh screens at the same price with double storage.

Always-on display makes the phone more useful
120Hz ProMotion screen feels smoother
Brighter anti-glare display easier to read outdoors
Battery lasts through heavy day of use
Same $799 starting price with more storage

Zoom weak compared to Pro; no telephoto lens
Gets hot during heavy gaming sessions
Apple Intelligence still underwhelming or missing

Read the full review at The Verge →

Verdicts, pros and cons are short summaries in our words of each publisher's review; scores are as the publisher gave them. Specs are taken from the reviews' spec boxes — where they differ, we show the value most of them give; price is the US launch price of the base model. Read the originals for the full picture.

Apple iPhone 17

Key specs

What the reviewers said

Tom's Guide

TechRadar

The Verge