Is the iPhone 17 Out? 3 Reasons to Buy the New iPhone 17

A staggering 58.6 million were purchased in the last quarter alone — a 2.9% increase over the same period in 2024. The iPhone 17 also saw more pre-orders than its predecessor!

You may be wondering whether to join the millions upgrading to the iPhone 17. But before you decide, two questions remain: Can you buy the iPhone 17 now? And if so, should you? 

Keep reading as we explore the latest generation’s release date and three key reasons why it could be Apple’s best iPhone yet.

Is the New iPhone 17 Series Out Yet?

The great news is that yes, the iPhone 17 is available to buy from smartphone retailers online and in Apple stores right now.

After being announced at Apple’s “awe-dropping event” on September 9, 2025, the series opened for pre-order on September 12. Official availability started just a week later, on September 19, meaning we’ve had a good few weeks to test the new devices!

The latest Apple iPhone generation features four models: the base model, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pro, and a brand-new iPhone Air. This ultra-slim “Air” device replaces the larger 16 Plus and is the thinnest iPhone yet, featuring just one 48 MP rear camera and the powerful A19 Pro chip.

Why Should I Buy the iPhone 17?

Consider buying the iPhone 17 for its boosted battery life, alongside a new adaptive ProMotion display and upgraded camera lenses.

The iPhone 17 may have a similar design to the iPhone 16, but these subtle changes bring the entry-level device much closer to the Pro models. Here’s why

1. Adaptive Display

You might be unable to tell the iPhone 16 and 17 apart when they’re sitting side by side. But the 17’s new ProMotion display finally aligns it with the Pro models after four years! This display also pulls it closer to other flagships, including the Google Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S25. 

The adaptive refresh rate offers two times smoother scrolling. We think this looks great with the fluid Liquid Glass interface introduced on iOS 26! An always-on display also allows you to easily check notifications — much more convenient than waking the screen.

The screen’s anti-reflective coating and higher 3000-nit peak brightness (compared to last year's 2000!) also reduces glare on particularly sunny days.

Like the 17 Pro and Pro Max, the base model also uses a new Ceramic Shield 2 front glass. This triples the display’s scratch-resistance over the previous generation. However, we’d still recommend investing in a durable screen protector! Unfortunately, this doesn’t extend to the back like its Pro siblings, so a shockproof iPhone case is also a must if you decide to upgrade.

Slimmer bezels also make the iPhone 17’s Super Retina XDR display bigger.. This is great for everything from video calls to simple social media scrolling.

2. Upgraded Camera Features

Two main upgrades have been made to the iPhone 17 camera lenses, including the ultra-wide and front cameras.

Although previously exclusive to the Pro models, the 17 now features a 48 MP ultra-wide lens. We’re also thrilled to see clearer selfies from the 18 MP front camera, which is upgraded from 12 MP. 

Updates aren’t just reserved for the hardware. These AI upgrades are exclusive to the iPhone 17 and won’t be available on the iPhone 16, even with the latest iOS 26 update!

The 17 features a new Dual Capture mode, allowing you to record on the front and rear cameras simultaneously. This is ideal for content creators and those who want a more convenient video experience, especially with FaceTime video calls.

The Center Stage feature keeps everyone in shot by automatically adjusting selfies from portrait to landscape. No need to manually rotate while taking the photo!

3. Powerful A19 Chip

The iPhone 17 includes a new A19 chip. Unfortunately, this chip isn’t as powerful as the A19 Pro, which is reserved for the Pro and Pro Max (and has the fastest CPU in any current smartphone, according to Apple!).

The A19 Pro also surprisingly features in the new Air model. However, the iPhone 17’s Geekbench 6 scores were extremely close to those of the iPhone Air. The scores also only fell slightly behind the Pro models.

The A19 offers 30 hours of video playback, 8 hours more than the iPhone 16, supporting a much longer battery life than its predecessors, including the previous A18 chipset. 

Better battery life is assisted by Adaptive Power Mode, a new iOS 26 feature that automatically adjusts the iPhone 17’s performance based on how you’re currently using it. Some background activities are deactivated, or the brightness may be lowered to conserve battery. The mode takes around a week to learn your habits, but it is a really convenient feature when it does start working.

The 17 series also now supports up to 40 W wired charging, finally swapping slow 20 W speeds for a fast charging mode. A full charge takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes, a considerable improvement on the iPhone 16’s 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Is the iPhone 17 Worth the Investment?

If you need more storage for your photos and 4K videos, we’d definitely recommend investing in the iPhone 17. It has the same $799 starting price as the previous iPhone but double the entry storage (256 GB vs. 128 GB), and makes an excellent choice if you don’t want to spend $1,000+ on a Pro device.

With its Pro performance and compact design, there’s a reason the iPhone Air is incredibly popular. However, it lacks an ultra-wide camera and the all-day battery life Apple claims it has. The iPhone 17 packs all of these things in for $200 less!

Unlike Google AI on the Pixel 10, the iPhone 17 doesn’t feature many new Apple Intelligence features. The base model also still doesn’t have a telephoto camera, unlike some similar flagship smartphones on the market.

Overall, the iPhone 17 delivers some small, yet notable changes from the iPhone 16. If you already own the 16, it may therefore be worth holding off until the iPhone 18 next year. 

However, the improved performance and refresh rate definitely make the iPhone 17 worth considering for those wanting a new iPhone right now. Particularly if you’ve got an iPhone that’s two or three generations old, or simply want to switch from Android!