The first reviews of the iPhone 17 are now coming out, and every one of them says the same thing — the 2025 base model is excellent.
The top of the range iPhone 17 Pro Max is certainly getting a lot of love, and the brand-new iPhone Air is at least getting a lot of attention. But the base iPhone 17 is the phone most people should get, according to every review so far.
iPhone 17
"This is the most Pro, non-pro phone that I think Apple has ever made to date," says iJustine, "which is really pretty exciting for anyone looking to upgrade."
The Verge, which praised the iPhone 17 Pro Max yet also rather shrugged at it, explicitly says that "the iPhone 17 is the one to get this year."
"This year's iPhone is more useful, has more storage, and starts at the same price," says writer Jacob Kastrenakes "What's not to like?"
More improved than the Pro models
John Velasco of Tom's Guide goes so far as to say that the iPhone 17 features "better upgrades than the Pros."
"You'll be surprised by the amount of improvements Apple's made," he continues. "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 — all for the same cost as before.
Praising the phone's "elegant simplicity," PC Magazine repeats exactly the same opinion as all the rest. "The iPhone 17's robust battery life, fast performance, pro-level display, and capable cameras easily make it the best iPhone for the money and our top pick," writes Eric Zeman.
"The base model is on a more even footing with the iPhone Pro than ever before," he continues.
