By John Velasco
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iPhone 17 — 6 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)
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John Velasco
30 September 2025
You get way more ‘pro’ features this time around
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You’re in the market to buy one of the new iPhone 17 models, and I bet you’re torn over which one to get — the iPhone 17 or the iPhone 17 Pro? That’s a tough question to answer, but after spending more than a couple of weeks testing, using, and putting them through their paces, I have a better idea of why the iPhone 17 is the better of the two.
In my iPhone 17 review, I mention how this year’s base model gets more upgrades than ever before. In fact, it has a lot more in common with the iPhone 17 Pro than you think. Pair that with the iPhne 17’s lower cost, and Apple’s base model is a much more cost effective solution.
Don’t get me wrong, there are sufficient reasons why you should still get the iPhone 17 Pro, such as the utility of its triple camera setup. However, its higher price and fewer differences make it much harder to justify for most people. Here’s why I think the iPhone 17 is the better buy.
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Same display size
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
Last year, the base iPhone had a smaller screen than the pro, but the iPhone 17 gets a size boost in the form of its 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display — exactly the same as the iPhone 17 Pro’s panel. That includes matching resolution, which at 2,622 x 1,206 pixels delivers the same identical 460 ppi (pixels per inch) pixel density.
There’s no differentiating the two in terms of details and optical clarity, especially when they’re rated with identical 2,000,000:1 contrast ratios. If that’s not enough, the iPhone 17 display also has the same Ceramic Shield 2 cover protecting it.
Smooth 120Hz refresh rate
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
Another big upgrade for the iPhone 17 pertains to its refresh rate. In previous models, I instantly could tell whether a phone was a Pro model or not by simply scrolling through the interface. That would show off the smoother looks and responses that come with Apple’s ProMotion displays.
The iPhone 17 finally gets the same 120Hz refresh rate treatment, allowing it to match the fluidness I see from the iPhone 17 Pro’s display. This is also obvious with gaming, as the animations look way more fluid and responsive.
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Similar main camera performance
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(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
Just because the iPhone 17 Pro is one of the best camera phones around with its 48MP triple cameras, it doesn’t mean the iPhone 17 can’t match it. I’ve captured a handful of snapshots with the two, and based on my experience, I can say that the iPhone 17’s main and ultrawide cameras perform very similarly to the ones on the Pro.
I really need to emphasize the strong performance of the iPhone 17’s 48MP main camera because that’s the one that’s going to do the bulk of the work. I really like how it handles complex lighting scenes with its dynamic range performance, while low light is equally as convincing as what you see from the iPhone 17 Pro. Just take a look through some of the shots I captured in the gallery above.
Charges just as fast
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
Even though the iPhone 17 Pro lasts longer in our battery drain test, the iPhone 17 shares the same 35W wired charging speed as the more expensive iPhone 17 Pro. As a result, it actually charges in the same amount of time.
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Using Apple’s new 45W charger, the iPhone 17 is able to get its battery to 39% and 71% in 15 and 30 minutes of charging, respectively. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro gets to 40% and 72% in the same span.
The love doesn’t stop there because just like the iPhone 17 Pro, you get the same 25W wireless charging speed with the iPhone 17’s Qi 2.2 charging support
Identical 18MP Center Stage camera
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(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
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(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
Selfie snobs will also appreciate the new 18MP Center Stage front camera on the iPhone 17, which is identical to the one in the iPhone 17 Pro. There’s nothing different about them, including how they make snapping selfies a breeze.
That’s because no matter how you’re holding your phone — in portrait or landscape — you get access to the same four framing options. There’s also the option for auto zoom, which will adjust the zoom accordingly to fit all the faces in a shot.
iOS 26 is iOS 26
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
The beauty of Apple’s iPhone software is that the features are identical across the entire product portfolio. So, regardless if you’re paying $300 more for the iPhone 17 Pro, you’ll get an identical iOS 26 experience tho what’s available on the cheaper iPhone 17.
In other words, you’ll have access to new iOS 26 features like Call Screening and Live Translation, with Apple’s new Liquid Glass material design being front row just about everywhere. There are no exclusive iOS 26 features for the iPhone 17 Pro.
It’s $300 cheaper
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
And finally, I want to highlight the price difference between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro. In previous years, it would’ve normally been a $200 spread. However, the iPhone 17 Pro’s price increases to $1,099 — making it $300 more expensive than the iPhone 17.
Not only are you saving more with the iPhone 17, but Apple actually gives it the same 256GB starting storage as the iPhone 17 Pro. When you factor that and everything else I’ve mentioned here, you’ll see that the iPhone 17 really paints itself as one of the best iPhones you can buy today.
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John Velasco
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Senior Channel Editor for Phones
John’s a senior editor covering phones for Tom’s Guide. He’s no stranger in this area having covered mobile phones and gadgets since 2008 when he started his career. On top of his editor duties, he’s a seasoned videographer being in front and behind the camera producing YouTube videos. Previously, he held editor roles with PhoneArena, Android Authority, Digital Trends, and SPY. Outside of tech, he enjoys producing mini documentaries and fun social clips for small businesses, enjoying the beach life at the Jersey Shore, and recently becoming a first time homeowner.
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