Which iPhone 17 Model Should You Buy?

The telephoto camera has been upgraded to 48 megapixels, so now you have an entire triple-camera array with 48-MP sensors. It delivers 4X optical zoom and up to 8X optical-like quality. It’s still the only iPhone model that can shoot 4K at up to 120 frames per second, and there are numerous exclusive video features aspiring filmmakers may find useful, like Genlock and ProRes RAW. It has better image stabilization than the other models, a better flash, and nicer microphones, and Apple still only offers the Lidar scanner on these Pro models.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is identical to the iPhone 17 Pro except in size. It sports a 6.9-inch screen, making it the heaviest iPhone, but it also has the biggest battery, boasting up to 39 hours of video playback compared to 33 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro. It’s also the only iPhone with a 2-terabyte storage option, if you need that much local space.

Like the smaller Pro, the USB-C supports USB 3, so you can take advantage of up to 10 Gbps data transfer speeds, a big boost over the iPhone Air and iPhone 17.

• iPhone 17: Most people will be more than satisfied with the iPhone 17, especially with the welcome 120-Hz upgrade and boosted 256 GB of storage.
• iPhone Air: If you want to experience Apple’s lightest iPhone ever, and you don’t particularly use the camera all that much, you’ll probably enjoy the Air.
• iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: You want the best Apple has to offer. If you use many of Apple’s camera features and various zoom levels, these iPhones will deliver the best experience. If you’re a heavy gamer, you’ll also enjoy the improved thermals and extra power of the iPhone 17 Pro. For a big screen and the best battery life, buy the Pro Max. For a more reasonable phone size, get the Pro.

The iPhone 17 Pro.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

I always recommend you buy your iPhone unlocked. It makes switching carriers a breeze, and you’ll have no hassles if you swap to an international eSIM when traveling. The iPhones sold via Apple’s storefront are unlocked, with one exception: If you buy through an AT&T installment plan, your iPhone will be network-locked. Buying the iPhone 17 unlocked increases the price by $30 to $829 instead of $799, but it’s well worth it.

Source: Wired.