The new iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 Air is the Real Conversation Starter

The biggest surprise was definitely the iPhone 17 Air. Apple finally ditched the "Plus" model, which always felt a bit like a middle child, and went all-in on aesthetics. It’s incredibly thin—about 5.6mm—and when you hold it, it feels more like a piece of glass than a piece of tech. To get it that slim, they had to stick with just one camera on the back, but it’s a powerhouse 48MP sensor that does most of the heavy lifting.

If you're looking at the Air, you've got some pretty unique colors to choose from this year. It starts at $999 and comes in Space Black, Cloud White, and two really standout shades: a light Sky Blue and a soft Light Gold. It’s perfect if you’re someone who cares more about how a phone feels in your pocket than having a massive zoom lens.

Finally Smooth Screens for Everyone

One of the best "about time" moments was Apple finally bringing ProMotion to the standard iPhone 17. For years, if you didn't buy a Pro, you were stuck with a 60Hz screen that felt a bit stuttery compared to everything else. Now, the base model is just as buttery smooth as the expensive ones. The screen is also a bit bigger this year at 6.3 inches, and with those thinner bezels, it looks much more modern.

The standard 17 starts at $799, and the colors are a bit more playful. You’ve got the basics like Black and White, but the new Sage, Lavender, and Mist Blue options are what people are really gravitating toward.

The Pro Models are AI Powerhouses

If you’re a power user, the 17 Pro (starting at $1,099) and Pro Max (starting at $1,199) are where the real muscle is. The new A19 Pro chip is basically built for Apple Intelligence. Everything feels instantaneous, especially the on-device AI tasks that used to take a second to think.

The camera system also got the upgrade we’ve been waiting for: the "Triple 48." Now that the Main, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto lenses all have 48MP sensors, you don't lose any detail when you switch between them. Even the selfie camera got a bump to 24MP, so FaceTime calls and photos look much sharper. For the finishes, Apple went bold this year with Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue sitting alongside a classic Silver.

Is it Worth It

Looking at the landscape in 2026, the iPhone 17 series feels like a safe bet for the long haul. With the Air and Pro models rocking 12GB of RAM, these phones aren't going to slow down anytime soon, even as AI features get more demanding. Whether you want the sleekness of the Air or the sheer utility of the Pro Max, it feels like Apple finally gave us a reason to get excited about an upgrade again