99
Expert ReviewsT3Jan 28, 2026
“The Apple iPhone 17 is the iPhone most people should buy.”
By Britta O'Boyle · Rated 5/5Full review
Phone
iPhone 17
Apple · From $799
Release date Sep 19, 2025
94
Critical Gold
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
17 with a published score, 1 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Jan 28, 2026
18 Rave
Critics' Take
Critics call the iPhone 17 the best base iPhone in years and the model most people should buy. The 120Hz always-on display, 256GB of base storage at an unchanged $799 price, the Center Stage selfie camera and long battery life drew wide praise. Reviewers still point to the missing telephoto lens, a design that looks like the iPhone 16, USB 2.0 data speeds and heat under heavy load.
What critics loved
- 120Hz ProMotion display with always-on mode
- 256GB base storage at the same $799 price
- Center Stage 18MP selfie camera
- Long battery life and faster charging
Common gripes
- No telephoto lens for zoom
- Design barely changed from the iPhone 16
- USB 2.0 data speeds
- Gets warm under heavy load
- Apple Intelligence still feels unfinished
Critic Scorecard
18 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
99
T3T3Dec 22, 2025
“Apple has really nailed it this year with the iPhone 17.”
By Mat Gallagher · Rated 5/5Full review
98
EngadgetT1Sep 18, 2025
“With the most significant update in years, the iPhone 17 is an easy choice for an upgrade for most people.”
By Billy Steele · Rated 91/100Full review
98
PCMagT2★ Editors' ChoiceSep 17, 2025
“The iPhone 17 is the best iPhone for most people, bar none.”
By Eric Zeman · Rated 4.5/5Full review
98
StuffT3Oct 22, 2025
“Almost no compromises. Boring? Sure. Brilliant? Absolutely.”
By Craig Grannell · Rated 5/5Full review
97
What Hi-Fi?T3Oct 14, 2025
“The iPhone 17’s new display steals the show thanks to its improved brightness and support for up to 120Hz variable refresh rates”
By Tom Parsons and Lewis Empson · Rated 5/5Full review
Show 12 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
96
CNETT1★ Editors' ChoiceSep 17, 2025
“It’s a solid all-around device for most people who want something reliable and capable without breaking the bank.”
By Abrar Al-Heeti · Rated 9.1/10Full review
96
Trusted ReviewsT2Jan 20, 2026
“The iPhone 17 is the easiest base-level iPhone to recommend in years.”
By Lewis Painter · Rated 4.5/5Full review
96
Tech AdvisorT3Oct 17, 2025
“If you’re mulling over an upgrade, this is the time to do it, and this is the model to get.”
By Emma Rowley · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
WiredT1Sep 23, 2025
“But at $799, it remains the iPhone most people should buy, especially considering its cameras and battery life have a leg up over the pricier iPhone Air.”
By Julian Chokkattu · Rated 9/10Full review
95
TechRadarT2Sep 17, 2025
“This is the iPhone most people should buy, especially since it keeps the same starting price with double the storage.”
By Jacob Krol · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceSep 17, 2025
“With so many changes and upgrades, the iPhone 17 proves that it's the phone most people should get, thanks to new features like a 120Hz refresh rate, faster charging, brighter screen, double the storage, and a slick selfie camera”
By John Velasco · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
GizmodoT2Sep 18, 2025
“The iPhone 17 offers the best bang for buck in an iPhone. It's a value proposition that'll last for at least five years.”
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4.5/5Full review
89
NotebookcheckT3Oct 1, 2025
“The Apple iPhone 17 comes closer to the Pro models than ever before and is therefore likely to be the most interesting new iPhone for many buyers.”
By Manuel Masiero · Rated 88%Full review
88
The VergeT1Sep 17, 2025
“If you just want a great iPhone, and you don’t want to miss out on anything major, the iPhone 17 is finally that phone.”
By Jacob Kastrenakes · Rated 8/10Full review
87
MacworldT2Oct 1, 2025
“If you’re looking for a high-class blend of performance and value, this is the phone to go for.”
By David Price · Rated 4/5Full review
85
MashableT2Oct 18, 2025
“It's the iPhone that makes the most sense for most people.”
By Stan Schroeder · Rated 4/5Full review
85
GSMArenaT3Sep 26, 2025
“It is also by far the easiest iPhone to recommend in the 2025 lineup. It's not like it's flawless, but none of the downsides are actually deal-breakers.”
Staff review · Unrated, scored from textFull review
99
Expert ReviewsT3Jan 28, 2026
“The Apple iPhone 17 is the iPhone most people should buy.”
By Britta O'Boyle · Rated 5/5Full review
96
Trusted ReviewsT2Jan 20, 2026
“The iPhone 17 is the easiest base-level iPhone to recommend in years.”
By Lewis Painter · Rated 4.5/5Full review
99
T3T3Dec 22, 2025
“Apple has really nailed it this year with the iPhone 17.”
By Mat Gallagher · Rated 5/5Full review
98
StuffT3Oct 22, 2025
“Almost no compromises. Boring? Sure. Brilliant? Absolutely.”
By Craig Grannell · Rated 5/5Full review
85
MashableT2Oct 18, 2025
“It's the iPhone that makes the most sense for most people.”
By Stan Schroeder · Rated 4/5Full review
96
Tech AdvisorT3Oct 17, 2025
“If you’re mulling over an upgrade, this is the time to do it, and this is the model to get.”
By Emma Rowley · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Show 12 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
97
What Hi-Fi?T3Oct 14, 2025
“The iPhone 17’s new display steals the show thanks to its improved brightness and support for up to 120Hz variable refresh rates”
By Tom Parsons and Lewis Empson · Rated 5/5Full review
89
NotebookcheckT3Oct 1, 2025
“The Apple iPhone 17 comes closer to the Pro models than ever before and is therefore likely to be the most interesting new iPhone for many buyers.”
By Manuel Masiero · Rated 88%Full review
87
MacworldT2Oct 1, 2025
“If you’re looking for a high-class blend of performance and value, this is the phone to go for.”
By David Price · Rated 4/5Full review
85
GSMArenaT3Sep 26, 2025
“It is also by far the easiest iPhone to recommend in the 2025 lineup. It's not like it's flawless, but none of the downsides are actually deal-breakers.”
Staff review · Unrated, scored from textFull review
95
WiredT1Sep 23, 2025
“But at $799, it remains the iPhone most people should buy, especially considering its cameras and battery life have a leg up over the pricier iPhone Air.”
By Julian Chokkattu · Rated 9/10Full review
98
EngadgetT1Sep 18, 2025
“With the most significant update in years, the iPhone 17 is an easy choice for an upgrade for most people.”
By Billy Steele · Rated 91/100Full review
95
GizmodoT2Sep 18, 2025
“The iPhone 17 offers the best bang for buck in an iPhone. It's a value proposition that'll last for at least five years.”
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4.5/5Full review
98
PCMagT2★ Editors' ChoiceSep 17, 2025
“The iPhone 17 is the best iPhone for most people, bar none.”
By Eric Zeman · Rated 4.5/5Full review
96
CNETT1★ Editors' ChoiceSep 17, 2025
“It’s a solid all-around device for most people who want something reliable and capable without breaking the bank.”
By Abrar Al-Heeti · Rated 9.1/10Full review
95
TechRadarT2Sep 17, 2025
“This is the iPhone most people should buy, especially since it keeps the same starting price with double the storage.”
By Jacob Krol · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Tom's GuideT2★ Editors' ChoiceSep 17, 2025
“With so many changes and upgrades, the iPhone 17 proves that it's the phone most people should get, thanks to new features like a 120Hz refresh rate, faster charging, brighter screen, double the storage, and a slick selfie camera”
By John Velasco · Rated 4.5/5Full review
88
The VergeT1Sep 17, 2025
“If you just want a great iPhone, and you don’t want to miss out on anything major, the iPhone 17 is finally that phone.”
By Jacob Kastrenakes · Rated 8/10Full review
Quick Facts
- Display
- 6.3-inch OLED, ProMotion up to 120Hz, Always-On
- Chip
- A19 (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU)
- Rear cameras
- 48MP Fusion main + 48MP Fusion ultra wide (2x optical-quality crop, no telephoto)
- Front camera
- 18MP Center Stage camera
- Battery
- Up to 30 hours video playback; 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter
- Charging
- USB-C (USB 2 speeds); MagSafe and Qi2 wireless up to 25W
- Weight
- 177 g
- Durability
- IP68, Ceramic Shield 2 front
- Storage/Price
- 256GB ($799) or 512GB ($999) at launch