Our verdict
For most people who want a new iPhone, the iPhone 17 is the sensible place to start. Its 6.3-inch OLED screen has ProMotion, Apple's name for a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, so it can redraw the picture 120 times a second and scrolling looks smoother. Apple lists up to 3,000 nits outdoors, for easy reading in sunshine. The 48MP Dual Fusion camera system, with a main and an Ultra Wide camera, is consistently dependable, and the A19 chip has enough power to stay useful for years. Storage starts at 256GB. The main gap is zoom: there is no dedicated telephoto camera, so distant subjects such as sport or wildlife are harder to capture clearly.
Buy it if
- You want a smooth 120Hz screen and 256GB of storage as standard
- You want a dependable camera without learning manual controls
- You value long support, accessories and simple repairs
Skip it if
- You often play games, navigate or stream over 5G for hours and cannot top up in the evening
- You need strong optical zoom
- You want to keep accessory and storage costs low, as Apple's are expensive
How it would fit your home
Family photographs and video
A safe choice for quick photos of children, pets and holidays, with especially reliable video.
Keeping one phone for years
The 120Hz screen, 256GB starting storage and A19 chip should age well.
Long-distance photography
This is the weak spot. For sport or wildlife, choose a Pro model or an Android phone with a dedicated zoom camera.
The details, in plain English
Daily use
The headline feature is the 6.3-inch screen, which refreshes up to 120 times a second (120Hz), a feature Apple calls ProMotion. Text stays clearer while scrolling and the whole phone feels more immediate. It also has an Always-On display, so the time and notifications stay visible when the phone is locked. Face ID, well-made apps and Apple's broad repair network make it reassuring if you want a phone that behaves predictably.
Camera
Apple's 48MP Dual Fusion camera system pairs the main camera with an Ultra Wide for groups and landscapes, and it gives a 12MP optical-quality 2x view. The front camera is 18MP. The cameras aim for consistency rather than endless modes: daylight photos have natural detail, people are exposed reliably and video remains a strength. The missing telephoto lens matters if you often photograph sport, wildlife or concerts from a distance.
Battery, charging and longevity
Apple quotes up to 30 hours of video playback. A full ordinary day is realistic for most people, although heavy gaming, navigation and 5G video can still need an evening top-up. Apple says a 40W adapter reaches 50% in 20 minutes, and MagSafe wireless charging goes up to 25W. The A19 chip, 256GB of storage and Apple's long update history give it a credible multi-year ownership story.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 6.3-inch ProMotion screen at up to 120Hz: scrolling and animations look noticeably smoother
- 48MP Dual Fusion cameras that produce good results without manual adjustments
- 256GB base storage is more practical for photos, apps and several years of use
- Long software support and a very strong range of cases, repairs and accessories
What to watch out for
- No dedicated telephoto camera for clear long-distance zoom
- Apple's accessories and storage upgrades remain expensive
- Apple's fastest wired charging figure depends on using a 40W adapter
The strongest alternatives are Google's Pixel 10 for camera-led Android software and Samsung's Galaxy S25 for a smaller body with a true zoom camera. The iPhone 17 wins on all-round simplicity rather than being the cheapest or most specialised option.
Make the Apple iPhone 17 easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: apple's fastest wired charging figure depends on using a 40W adapter
Belkin BoostCharge Pro WCH013myBK, dual USB-C GaN PPS 65W, UK black version Not yet reviewed by us
Provides a USB-C adapter for the review’s 40W-adapter condition.
Check first: Does not replace a high-power workstation adapter.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Apple iPhone 17 (this one) | The easiest current iPhone to recommend if you want a smooth 120Hz screen, dependable cameras and 256GB of storage without paying for a Pro model. | £899RRP · 256GB, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple iPhone 15 | Still a good iPhone, but only when its 128GB price is clearly below the iPhone 16's. | £799RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple iPhone 16 | An excellent everyday iPhone for anyone who wants a manageable 6.1-inch phone with a dependable camera, when the price is properly below the iPhone 17. | £799RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Apple iPhone 17 Pro | The more manageable Pro iPhone if you want main, ultrawide and telephoto cameras and would find the Pro Max too big. | £1,099RRP · 256GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
Not sure it is the right one for you?
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Where our findings come from
This research-based verdict combines Apple's published listed features with independent reviews from PCMag UK and Expert Reviews. We prioritised everyday screen smoothness, camera reliability, battery behaviour and likely useful life over speed test figures.