Apple launched the iPhone 17 series today at its “awe-dropping” event. The base model received a significant display upgrade, now measuring 6.3 inches compared to the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 16. This display introduces ProMotion technology to the base model for the very first time. It supports a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and dynamically switches between different rates using LTPO, or low-temperature polycrystalline oxide, technology. The screen also achieves a peak brightness of 3,000 nits for superior outdoor visibility and is now protected by a more scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2. Powering these display updates and the entire phone is a new 3 nm A19 processor equipped with a dedicated display engine.
For photography, the iPhone 17 gets a new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera. This enhanced camera system also enables 2x optical telephoto zoom and improved macro photography. The front camera has been updated with a new 18-megapixel square sensor. Apple states this innovative sensor allows users to take selfies in different formats without switching the phone’s orientation. The new selfie camera also provides more stable video capture and supports Center Stage for video calls.
The iPhone 17 will be available in a range of new colors: lavender, mist blue, black, white, and sage. Pricing for the iPhone 17 starts at $799, which includes 256GB of base storage. While the previous iPhone 16 started at a lower $699, that was for a 128GB model. In essence, the pricing for a comparable storage model remains the same, but the 128GB option is no longer available.
Preorders for the iPhone 17 begin this Friday, and the phones will be available starting September 19.