Choosing the best iPhone from Apple’s latest lineup can feel overwhelming. Apple has shaken up its roster with the iPhone 17 series, featuring the iPhone 17, the ultra-thin iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the big iPhone 17 Pro Max. Whether you care most about camera quality, battery life, or how the phone feels in your hand, each version offers its own strengths (and trade-offs). By the end, you’ll know exactly how the four models stack up, and which one truly deserves a spot in your pocket.
iPhone 17: The base model
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The iPhone 17 may be Apple’s base model, but there’s nothing basic about it anymore. At a glance, it looks similar to last year’s iPhone 16, but it’s been packed with Pro-level upgrades across the board. It has nearly everything the more expensive models do, just minus the telephoto lens. For many, that’s not a deal-breaker. That’s why many reviewers are calling this “the phone most people should get.”
Bigger, brighter, smoother display
The display now measures 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches, with ultra-thin bezels for a sleeker look. Even better, it finally gets 120Hz ProMotion, so everything, from scrolling to gaming, feels silky-smooth. Brightness hits up to 3000 nits, making outdoor use effortless, and a new anti-reflective coating improves visibility under sunlight.
Performance that keeps up
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 runs on Apple’s blazing-fast A19 chip, delivering about 20% faster performance than the previous generation. Whether you’re multitasking, editing videos, or playing games, it handles it with ease.
Cameras that shine
This year’s model borrows camera tech straight from the Pros. You get a 48MP main camera and a 48MP ultra-wide lens, both perfect for capturing crisp, vibrant shots. Up front, the new 18MP Center Stage selfie camera automatically tracks and frames you in both portrait and landscape modes – a major plus for FaceTime and social content creators.
Double storage, same price
Apple also doubled the base storage to 256GB and kept the starting price at S$1,299. That’s more value without paying a cent more.
Longer battery, faster charging
Battery life has taken a leap forward. You’ll get up to 8 hours more video playback than with the iPhone 16. And when it’s time to recharge, fast charging via USB-C gives you 50% power in just 30 minutes.
iPhone 17 Air
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With a price tag around $1,549, the iPhone Air stands out as Apple’s most design-driven iPhone yet. It’s crafted for users who want something more stylish and unique than the standard or Pro models. It’s light, it’s beautiful, and it’s fast. But it’s not for everyone, especially if you’re big on camera variety or need maximum battery life.
The thinnest iPhone ever
At just 5.6 mm thin and weighing only 165g, the Air is Apple’s slimmest iPhone to date – even thinner than a pencil. But don’t let the size fool you. It packs a gorgeous 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, complete with 120Hz ProMotion and up to 3000 nits brightness, so you’re getting premium visuals without compromise.
Premium build, pro-level performance
The Air features Ceramic Shield 2 on both the front and back for added durability, plus a glossy titanium frame that feels luxurious in hand. And inside? It’s powered by the A19 Pro chip – the same blazing-fast processor found in the iPhone 17 Pro. In short, this phone isn’t just about looks. It’s a performance powerhouse wrapped in a design-forward shell.
Trading off some features
Of course, that ultra-thin build comes with trade-offs. The battery is smaller than any other iPhone 17 model. While Apple claims “all-day battery,” it’s more on par with last year’s iPhone 16 Pro. Heavy users may find themselves reaching for a MagSafe battery pack by afternoon.
Single camera and mono audio
Another sacrifice? Only one rear camera. The Air features a solid 48MP main “Fusion” lens, but there’s no ultra-wide or telephoto. That’s a bold choice for a phone at this price. You also lose stereo speakers, meaning audio plays in mono – a surprising omission in 2025.
What you still get
Not all the Pro-level perks are gone. You still get the Action Button, which is great for launching shortcuts, camera, or apps in a snap. Plus, the Air runs Apple’s latest software and supports most flagship features outside of photography and advanced media handling.
| Apple iPhone 17 Air specifications | |
| Display | 6.5-inch OLED, Super Retina XDR |
| Processor | A19 Pro chip |
| Rear Camera | 48MP Fusion Main (f/1.6) – uses AI for 2x zoom |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage selfie |
| Battery | Smallest of iPhone 17 lineup (≈ “all-day” but less than iPhone 17) |
| Charging | USB-C, max ~20-25W charging |
| Starting Price | From $1,599 |
iPhone 17 Pro
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If you want all the bells and whistles, the iPhone 17 Pro is where the magic happens. This year, Apple went all-in on making the Pro feel truly “pro” again with bold design changes, better battery life, and serious performance upgrades. It’s ideal for photographers, creators, power users, or anyone who doesn’t want to compromise on battery, speed, or camera. Just know that it’s not as slim or flashy as the Air. But if performance is your priority, the iPhone 17 Pro is your best bet.
Heavier, thicker, stronger
Unlike the ultra-slim Air, the 17 Pro takes a function-over-form approach – thicker and heavier, but purposefully so. The unibody brushed aluminium chassis replaces last year’s titanium, but with good reason: aluminium disperses heat 10x better, which, along with a new vapour chamber cooling system, helps sustain performance without overheating.
Apple even redesigned the phone’s back. Instead of full glass, it’s now mostly metal with a small ceramic window for wireless charging. The result? More internal space allows for a much larger battery and stronger thermal efficiency.
Performance? It’s a monster
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 Pro runs on Apple’s powerful A19 Pro chip, and thanks to its revamped cooling, it delivers about 40% better sustained performance under load compared to the iPhone 16 Pro. Whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or editing 4K video, the phone runs smoothly without the usual heat throttling.
Display and design that mean business
The 17 Pro retains a compact 6.3-inch OLED display (same size as the base iPhone 17) but adds ProMotion 120Hz, Always-On, and seriously bright peak output – up to 3000 nits. That’s perfect for outdoor viewing.
The overall aesthetic is more utilitarian than flashy, with refined matte colours like Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue. It’s not trying to be the slimmest iPhone; it’s trying to be the most capable. And it is.
Pro cameras, reimagined
This year’s triple-lens camera system includes: 48MP Main camera (great in low light), 48MP Ultra-Wide, and an all-new 48MP Telephoto lens
Apple scaled back the optical zoom from 5x to 4x, but thanks to the higher resolution, it now delivers sharper zoom shots and can digitally reach up to 8x optical-quality zoom. Plus, for the first time, this Telephoto system is available on both the Pro and Pro Max models – no more camera gap between sizes. The 18MP Center Stage front camera returns here too, perfect for auto-tracked selfies and group video calls.
Creator-ready features
Beyond photography, the iPhone 17 Pro doubles as a powerful mobile studio. It supports ProRes RAW recording and introduces a new Apple Log format for improved dynamic range and post-production flexibility. For those shooting high-quality content, the phone allows external 4K60 video capture through its USB-C port – an ideal setup for professionals using external monitors or recorders.
Apple also included genlock sync for precise multi-camera coordination. These tools won’t matter to most casual users, but for those producing professional content on the go, they bring serious capability to a smartphone.
| Apple iPhone 17 Pro specifications | |
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED, Super Retina XDR |
| Processor | A19 Pro chip |
| Rear Cameras | Triple 48MP (Wide, Ultra-Wide, Telephoto 4x optical) |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage (auto-tracking video calls, 4K selfie video) |
| Battery | ~33 hours video playback |
| Charging | USB-C, up to 35–40W support |
| Starting Price | From $1,749 for 256GB |
iPhone 17 Pro Max
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If you believe “bigger is better,” the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the ultimate iPhone. It takes everything the iPhone 17 Pro offers – same cameras, same processor, same display tech – and scales it up. Starting at $1,899 for 256GB, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple’s most expensive iPhone, but also its most capable. And what you get is a no-compromise powerhouse designed for users who want maximum screen space, battery life, and overall capability.
Massive, beautiful display
The 17 Pro Max features a colossal 6.9-inch OLED display, making it the largest iPhone screen to date. It’s ideal for watching videos, gaming, or even handling work tasks on the go. Like the smaller Pro, it supports 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On Display, up to 3000 nits brightness, and offers excellent colour accuracy. It’s not just big – it’s incredibly sharp and smooth.
Best battery life yet
Thanks to its larger body, the Pro Max houses a significantly bigger battery than the regular Pro. Apple rates it for up to 39 hours of video playback, which translates to two full days of moderate use. In Tom’s Guide’s battery test, it lasted nearly 18 hours of nonstop web browsing over 5G, setting a record for any iPhone. If battery life is a priority, this is the iPhone to beat.
Performance you can push
The A19 Pro chip also powers the Pro Max, and it benefits from the same vapor chamber cooling and aluminium unibody as the 17 Pro. However, because of its larger chassis, the Pro Max can sustain peak performance even longer. More internal space means better heat dissipation, making it ideal for intensive tasks like gaming or video rendering.
Same cameras, bigger advantage
Camera-wise, the Pro Max shares the same triple 48MP system as the 17 Pro: wide, ultra-wide, and a new 4× telephoto lens. It also has the 18MP Center Stage front camera. You don’t get extra features here, but the larger screen offers real benefits – framing shots is easier, and the extra weight can help with stabilisation. Apple also added an exclusive 2TB storage option, perfect for videographers or anyone who wants to avoid ever seeing a “storage full” alert.
Big phone energy
This is a large phone, no doubt about it. It’s hefty (over 240g) and built for two-handed use. The aluminium body makes it lighter than it would be with steel or titanium, but still – it’s a brick. For many, though, that’s a fair trade for a tablet-like screen, unmatched battery life, and top-end features. If you’re the type to multitask on your phone, watch movies, or edit photos regularly, the Pro Max feels like a mini workstation.
| Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max specifications | |
| Display | 6.9-inch OLED, Super Retina XDR (120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision) |
| Processor | A19 Pro chip |
| Rear Cameras | Triple 48MP (Wide, Ultra-Wide, Telephoto 4x optical) |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage (auto-pan during video calls, 4K/60 video support) |
| Battery | Longest ever in an iPhone: ~39 hours video playback (roughly 25–30% more than 16 Pro Max) |
| Charging | USB-C, fast-charge ~50% in 20 min |
| Starting Price | From $1,899 for 256GB base model |
What is the best iPhone to get right now?
After comparing the iPhone 17 vs iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro models, the iPhone 17 (standard model) emerges as the best iPhone for most buyers. It strikes the ideal balance of price and features: you get a fast new processor, big high-refresh display, and excellent cameras – all at a lower cost than the Pro variants. It covers all the bases for everyday use and even power use, without forcing you to pay the “Pro premium” for features you might not need.
That said, “best” can be subjective. If you’re an enthusiast who demands the absolute top-of-the-line, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be considered the best – it has the largest screen and longest battery life (and no other model outshines it in any spec). Photographers and heavy users who want the best camera and battery should indeed look at the Pro Max or 17 Pro. But if you prioritise having a compact yet powerful phone, the iPhone 17 Pro might be your sweet spot, as it offers Pro capabilities in a slightly smaller form. And for those who value style and slimness above all, the iPhone Air might feel like the best iPhone due to its unique design – as long as you’re okay with its compromises.
Apple iPhone 17: Specifications side-by-side
| Specification | iPhone 17 | iPhone 17 Air | iPhone 17 Pro |
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| Dimensions (mm) | 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 | 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.64 | 150.0 x 71.9 x 8.75 |
| Weight (g) | 177 | 165 | 206 (heavier than 16 Pro’s ~188g due to battery) |
| Processor | A19 chip
6‑core CPU, 5‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine |
A19 Pro chip
6‑core CPU, 5‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine |
A19 Pro chip
6‑core CPU, 6‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine |
| Rear camera system | Dual 48MP Fusion cameras
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Single 48MP Fusion camera
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Triple 48MP Pro Fusion cameras
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| Front camera | 18 MP TrueDepth Center Stage camera (ƒ/1.9)
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18 MP Center Stage TrueDepth (ƒ/1.9)
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18 MP Center Stage TrueDepth (ƒ/1.9)
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| Battery life (Video Playback) |
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| Design & build |
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| Colours |
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| Storage options and price |
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So, which iPhone is better for you?
Ultimately, which iPhone is better for you depends on your priorities. The standard iPhone 17 will be the sweet spot for most, offering high-end features at a reasonable price. Power users and photographers might lean toward the Pro or Pro Max for the extra camera and battery advantages, while style-conscious folks could be tempted by the sleek iPhone Air.
No matter which you choose, you can upgrade smart: for instance, consider trading in your old device through Shopee to save on your new phone. And once you’ve got your shiny new iPhone, don’t forget to protect it with some of the best iPhone cases to keep your investment safe and stylish.
