Apple has lifted the curtain on the iPhone 17 during its annual keynote, revealing a device that, despite its familiar design, packs significant technical upgrades under the hood. Cupertino seems to have played the long game, maintaining visual continuity while redefining the user experience.
A Familiar Design, Refined Colors
At first glance, the iPhone 17 might look familiar, but Apple has added some thoughtful touches. The new colors, Black, Lavender, Misty Blue, Sage, and White, are softer and more refined, giving the phone a calm, elegant vibe compared to the brighter shades of previous models.
The 6.3-inch screen stays the same, striking a comfortable balance between ease of use and portability. But that’s really where the similarities with the iPhone 16 stop.
ProMotion for Everyone at Last!
The biggest upgrade everyone was waiting for is ProMotion coming to the standard iPhone. Until now, only the Pro models had it. With a refresh rate that can go from 1 Hz to 120 Hz, everything feels smoother. Scrolling through apps or playing games just feels so much better.
Apple also made the screen brighter, up to 3,000 nits, and reduced glare. On top of that, the new Ceramic Glass 2 is three times more scratch-resistant, which is great news for anyone tired of worrying about scratches.
Powering Up for AI
Under the hood, the new A19 chip, built on a 3nm process, makes its debut. While raw performance gains might seem modest, with a 20% boost for the GPU, the real focus is on AI. Apple says large language models will run faster directly on the device, a change that could reshape daily smartphone use.
The quietly integrated N1 connectivity chip brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support, preparing the iPhone for tomorrow’s standards. It’s also worth noting that the Canadian model will come with eSIM only, a first for this market.
A Redesigned Selfie Camera
While the main sensors have seen modest upgrades, like 48 megapixels for the ultra-wide lens and Centre Stage for selfies, it’s really the front camera that gets the spotlight. With its larger square sensor and 4K HDR video capability, you can now take landscape-style photos even while holding the phone vertically.
The Centre Stage feature automatically adjusts the frame based on how many people are in the shot, making group selfies much easier. This is a change that social media users and content creators are sure to appreciate.
Impressive Battery Life
iPhone 17 Pricing Details
Apple is sticking with a $1,129 launch price but has doubled the base storage to 256GB. Rather than hiking prices, the company is giving users more value for their money.
Pre-orders kick off on September 12, with the phone available from September 19. While the updates aren’t as flashy as in previous years, they might just be enough to satisfy a smartphone market that’s becoming more demanding and mature.
