iPhone 17 / iPhone Air (2025) — Full Review Before You Buy
Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup launched with four models: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The Verge+2TechCrunch+2 The new phones hit stores September 19; pre-orders began September 12. TechCrunch+3Lifewire+3The Verge+3
Here’s what’s new, what shines, what you might want to reconsider, and how it compares with rivals.
What’s New in iPhone 17 / iPhone Air (2025)
- Ultra-thin “Air” Model
The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever (≈ 5.6 mm). The Verge+2WIRED+2 It also comes with a titanium frame, ceramic shield front, and lighter overall weight (~165g). The Verge+2TechCrunch+2 - Display Upgrades / ProMotion Across the Line
All models now have 120 Hz refresh rate displays (“ProMotion”) — smoother scrolling, animations. The Verge+2TechCrunch+2 The base iPhone 17 got a slightly larger screen (6.3-inches) than its predecessor. TechCrunch+1 - Camera Improvements
- All models now start with dual or more cameras with 48-MP “Fusion” main sensors. TechCrunch+1
- iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max offer a triple-48MP system including telephoto with improved zoom, ultra-wide, etc. The Verge+2TechCrunch+2
- New front camera: 18 MP with Center Stage support, dual capture (front + back simultaneously video) in Pro models. WIRED+2TechCrunch+2
- Internal Hardware / Performance
- New chips: A19 in iPhone 17, A19 Pro in Pro/Pro Max & Air. The Verge+2TechCrunch+2
- New networking chip “N1” that includes improvements: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, etc. The Verge+1
- Battery life improvements especially in Pro Max version; improved cooling (vapor chamber) in Pro models. The Verge+1
- More Base Storage
All models now start at 256 GB minimum. The Verge+1 - Design / Build Changes
- For Pro models: a new camera “plateau” bump design for better optical performance. The Verge+1
- Air model is eSIM-only (to save space) in many markets. The Verge+1
- Improved durability with better materials (titanium frame, etc.) for premium models. The Verge+1
- Software / Features
- Ships with iOS 26. The Verge+2Wikipedia+2
- New features like dual capture video, Center Stage front cam, better computational photography. Diario AS+2WIRED+2
What’s Good (Merits)
- Stunning design & build — especially the Air model being incredibly thin. If you hate bulky phones, this is big.
- Smooth, fluid displays (120Hz) across more models, which was a feature previously limited to Pro.
- Great camera upgrades, especially for Pro/Max: more zoom, better sensor, dual capture video is a useful modern touch.
- Huge storage baseline — 256 GB from the start is generous.
- Better hardware & networking: modern connectivity (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, etc.), more efficient chips likely help battery & performance.
- More premium feels: durability, materials, etc., especially for Pro & Air.
What’s Not So Great / Demerits
- Air model’s thinness comes with compromises: smaller battery, single or fewer lenses vs Pro. TechCrunch
- USB-C ports are still slow (some models just have USB-2 speeds), at least in non-Pro models. MacRumors+1
- Charging: MagSafe battery pack optional for Air; charging speed / adapter differences might limit full potential. Yahoo Finance+1
- Price is high for Pro / Pro Max (and Air isn’t cheap either). If you don’t need all premium features, you may be overpaying.
- Some of the “new features” are incremental (e.g. smoother performance, zoom tweaks) rather than radical changes. If you have iPhone 16 Pro, some differences may feel marginal.
- eSIM-only in many regions — if you’re used to physical SIM, this may be an issue.
- Durability trade-offs: thin devices often have more flex or are more fragile; protection via case will be more necessary.
How It Compares to Its Competitors
Here’s how iPhone 17 / Air / Pro stack up vs flagship Androids (e.g. Samsung Galaxy S25 series, Google Pixel 10 Pro, etc.):
| Feature | iPhone 17 Series Strengths | What Android Rivals Might Do Better |
|---|---|---|
| Display / Refresh Rate | 120Hz smoothness across models; excellent color/hardware-software optimization | Some Androids offer higher refresh rates (144Hz or 165Hz), bigger screens, or curved edges that look more “immersive” |
| Build / Design | Ultra thin (Air), premium materials, durable design, strong ecosystem integration | More variety (foldables, etc.), possibly more aggressive battery sizes in Androids, better charging speeds in some Android phones |
| Camera | Great sensors, computational photography, zoom on Pro, improvements in video | Android rivals often lead in periscope zoom, low-light performance sometimes better, more camera versatility (wide angle, macro, etc.) |
| Performance | Apple’s chip + optimization; good battery life improvements; strong OS support over years | Androids might offer faster charging, more RAM, sometimes cheaper prices for similar specs |
| Ecosystem & Software Support | Long iOS update support, tight integration (hardware + software), resale value | Androids offer more customization, variety of hardware, open features, sometimes better value in mid-range |
| Pricing | Premium price, but Apple’s value proposition includes build quality, support, resale value | Some Android brands undercut Apple sharply, offering similar specs at lower price (but often with compromises) |
Is This All New or Just Marketing / New Colours?
There is a fair bit of marketing spin, as always. Some “new” features are incremental:
- The “lens/focal length variety” in cameras is partly achieved via software/digital cropping, not always pure optical hardware changes. The Verge+1
- Some standard features are now “premium” line features before — 120Hz displays across non-Pro is more about leveling up than totally new tech.
- Colour options and design tweaks (camera layout bump, new frame materials) add premium feel, but might not affect daily usage dramatically for some users.
But there are genuinely new things: the ultra-thin Air, improved cooling in Pro, bigger base storage, better front cam, new connectivity chips. For power users, photographers, content creators, these matter. For casual users, the experience will be better but maybe not dramatically different from iPhone 16 / 16 Pro in many cases.
What to Ask Yourself Before Buying
- Do you really need the Pro / Pro Max features (zoom, best battery, cooling), or are you okay with standard iPhone 17 or Air?
- How important is battery life vs thinness? If you use phone heavily, a slightly thicker phone may last longer.
- What is your budget? The extra for Pro/Max is steep.
- Do you care about charging speed, ports, accessories? If you travel a lot or require fast charging / wired transfers, the port speed or charger matters.
- Are you fine with eSIM-only? Might be OK, but check your region / carrier compatibility.
- How long do you want software support / resale value? Apple typically gives many years of updates; this matters if you keep phones 3-5 years.
Verdict: Who Should Buy Which
- iPhone Air is great if you want slim, premium feel, high performance, but you can live without multiple camera modules or the top battery.
- iPhone 17 Pro is for power users who care about zoom, video, cooler hardware, bigger battery, and plan to use it hard.
- Pro Max if you want the biggest screen, best battery, max storage. But also biggest phone and weight.
- Standard iPhone 17 is usually the sweet spot — good performance, many of the new features, fewer frills, less cost.
Final Thoughts
The new iPhone 17 series & iPhone Air bring meaningful upgrades: better cameras, smoother displays, improved hardware, more storage, and a standout ultra-thin model that looks and feels premium. Some of it is polish & design; some of it is real performance and usability improvement.
If you have an older iPhone (2-3 years old), upgrading will deliver visible benefits. If you already own last year’s Pro / Pro Max, your improvements will be more subtle but still useful if you care about zoom, camera, etc.
