Apple • iPhone 17
This is the base model iPhone 17, and honestly—it might just be the phone to get this year.
Apple’s been on a streak lately of leveling up their “baseline” products. The MacBook Air, the Mac Mini, the iPhone 16E—these weren’t watered-down versions of their Pro siblings, they were powerful machines in their own right. And now with the iPhone 17 base model, Apple is making the same move in phones.
Let’s get into it.
Design: Simple and Subtle Done Right
Apple has always nailed minimal design, but the iPhone 17 feels extra refined. I picked up the lavender color for my wife, and honestly, it looks fantastic. The frosted glass has a very subtle purple tint that feels premium without screaming for attention. The darker Apple logo and camera housing give it just enough contrast to stand out.
The rails are polished, the bezels are thin, and overall this phone just feels elegant. To me, the iPhone Air still wins for the best design in the lineup, but this base model holds its own. It’s not flashy, but that’s part of its charm—it looks and feels like a flagship.
Performance and Features
Inside, you’re still getting excellent performance. No, it doesn’t have the A19 Pro chip from the Air or Pro models, but it’s fast. If you’re coming from an iPhone 13, 14, or even a 15, you’ll notice the speed bump without feeling like you’re missing out.
The cameras include a wide and an ultra-wide, which cover most people’s needs. Battery life is strong—better than the Air in my testing—and you’re getting that smooth 120Hz refresh rate across the lineup this year, which is a big deal.
Apple also bumped the base storage to 256GB. Sure, we live in the iCloud era, but apps, games, and photos add up fast. It’s nice not to feel cramped right out of the box.
And here’s a fun one: the new front-facing camera. It uses a square sensor that allows you to shoot selfies vertically or horizontally with a quick toggle. It even automatically widens the shot if someone else joins the frame. Very Apple, very thoughtful.
Who This Phone Is For
Honestly? Pretty much anyone.
If you just want a new iPhone that’s modern, fast, and built beautifully, this is the one to get. For most people—my wife, my mom, my sister, my friends—this is an easy yes. You don’t have to overthink it.
If you want something thinner and sleeker, the Air is my personal daily driver. If you’re a professional user who needs extreme camera systems and battery life, then the Pro is in its own category. But for the vast majority of people, the base iPhone 17 is the obvious choice.
Final Thoughts
This doesn’t feel like the “cheap” iPhone. It feels like a flagship. The Pro may be overbuilt for many users, and the Air might appeal to design lovers like me, but the base model has become the iPhone most people should buy.
It’s got excellent design, fast performance, all-day battery life, and a set of cameras that will make anyone happy. And it costs less than the other two models while giving you nearly all the same benefits.
If you’ve been wondering whether this is “good enough” for you—the answer is yes. More than good enough.
