Written by Bob
Edited on
30 July 2026
·
15:19
Expert review Apple iPhone 17
The Apple iPhone 17 is a very complete and fast device. This is the first device outside the Pro series with the more luxurious, smooth ProMotion display. I've made nice photos with the 2 lenses on the back and the new Center Stage selfie camera, but I did miss the telephoto lens. In this iPhone 17 review, you can read about how all those functions benefit you.
Apple iPhone 17
- You can easily use this small iPhone with 1 hand.
- You can take sharp photos and videos with the 48-megapixel camera.
- Animations and movements look smooth on this 120Hz screen.
- Zoomed-in photos are less sharp than on the iPhone 17, because you don't have a telephoto lens.
969,-
First impression of the iPhone 17
As soon as I started using the iPhone 17, I noticed I really like the size. A large screen like that of the iPhone Air or Pro Max isn't what I want. The iPhone 17 easily fits in my pocket and I can control it with 1 hand, even though the device isn't as small as the iPhone SE or mini, for example. The screen size is fine for watching a video every once in a while. The iPhone 17 is comfortable to hold and isn't too heavy.
Smooth ProMotion display
The Apple iPhone 17 has a ProMotion display, the more luxurious display that used to only be on the Pro models. This screen has a higher refresh rate, and that's noticeable. When I was scrolling through a website or my social media timeline, this went very smoothly. On a screen without ProMotion, this looks a bit more jerky and makes the device feel slower. This is also an Always On display. This means I could see the time and my notifications right away when I grabbed my iPhone.
Sharp photos, even with the wide-angle lens
I've taken sharp, colorful photos with the iPhone 17. The camera also worked fine in the dark, like during an evening match in football stadium De Kuip, for example. I could also take a photo of the entire stadium with the wide-angle lens. I also used it for large groups or wide landscapes. I also thought the portrait mode worked well. I could give photos of my dog or cats a nice effect with a blurry background. If I zoomed in far, the photos became blurry. This is better with the telephoto lens of the iPhone 17 Pro.
Portrait photo
Standard photo
Photo with wide-angle lens
Detail photo with standard lens
Better selfies with Center Stage
Something completely new on the iPhone 17 is the Center Stage selfie camera. I can take better selfies with this, without having to do anything myself. Firstly, the camera automatically places your head in the middle of the frame. In addition, this Center Stage camera can automatically switch between portrait and landscape photos without me having to rotate my iPhone. That way, I can easily take photos of large groups.
Fast device, the most AI functions
The Apple iPhone 17 is a fast device. I didn't have any issues with my daily tasks, even when I had multiple apps open. I could edit photos without any slowdowns. Most Apple Intelligence functions also work well. With the Clean Up function, I can easily remove other people or annoying elements from the background of my photos. I'm bummed that certain new AI functions will only come to the iPhone 17 Pro. If you find AI important, the iPhone 17 Pro is more future-proof.
Conclusion: fast, complete iPhone
The iPhone 17 is the right device if you're looking for a luxurious and fast iPhone, but don't have to take the best photos. You can take sharp photos with the 2 lenses on the back and the new Center Stage selfie camera. Only once you zoom in, you'll notice the difference with the better iPhone 17 Pro camera.
Article by Bob
Apple iPhone Expert.
