Verdict on the Apple iPhone 17
The Apple iPhone 17 comes closer to the Pro models than ever before and is therefore likely to be the most interesting new iPhone for many buyers. While it is priced the same as its predecessor, it now offers twice the storage. In addition, the 6.3-inch display is not only larger and brighter, but also finally supports 120 Hz and an Always-on function.
The main and ultra-wide-angle cameras have also been improved, now with a resolution of 48 MP, while the resolution of the selfie camera has been increased to 18 MP. The Apple A19 gives the iPhone 17 even more power, while also improving its battery life. Charging is also faster, although at a maximum of 40 watts, it still lags far behind competitors such as the Xiaomi 15, which supports up to 90 watts.
Other points of criticism: Buyers must live with a 12-month warranty, USB-C 2.0 is the only available option, the Bluetooth codecs are limited, and the WiFi 7 module supports a maximum bandwidth of 160 MHz, which means it operates with the handbrake on.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The iPhone 17 with 256 GB storage starts from US$799 in the Apple Store. If you prefer to store elsewhere, for example, on Amazon (only available in Europe at the time of testing), you have to pay approximately US$1115 (949 euros).
- $6.99Ailun 3 Pack Screen Protector for iPhone 17 / iPhone 16 Pro [6.3 inch] with Installation Frame, Tempered Glass, Sensor Protection, Dynamic Island Compatible, Case Friendly
- $9.99iPhone 17 16 15 Charger Fast Charging,2Pack 20W Apple iPad USB C Wall Chrager Block with 6FT USB C to C Cable for iPhone 17/Pro/Pro Max/17 Air/ 16/16 Pro/16 Pro Max/15/Plus/Pro/Pro Max
Table of Contents
- Verdict on the Apple iPhone 17
- Specifications
- Case - Now 6.3 inches instead of 6.1 inches
- Features - The iPhone 17 launches with 256 GB memory
- Software - iOS 17 and Liquid Glass
- Communication and GNSS - iPhone 17 with new N1 chip
- Phone functions and voice quality - Dual eSIM possible
- Camera - 2x 48 MP and a new center-stage selfie camera
- Accessories and warranty - iPhone 17 with new strap
- Input devices and operation - Biometric unlocking via FaceID
- Display - iPhone 17 with ProMotion OLED
- Performance - iPhone 17 with Apple A19
- Games - Up to 120 Hz with Genshin Impact
- Emissions - Cooler than the predecessor
- Battery life - Runs longer, charges faster
- Notebookcheck overall rating
- Possible alternatives in comparison
Every year in September, Apple presents the new iPhone generation. However, there has been little new to report on the basic iPhone recently, particularly in terms of design, which has hardly changed since the iPhone 12. This time as well, the design has remained almost the same, but there are plenty of new features that could make the iPhone 17 the best new iPhone for many buyers.
Specifications
Case - Now 6.3 inches instead of 6.1 inches
While Apple relies on a revised design for the new Pro models, the iPhone 17 looks practically the same as its predecessor. As usual, the workmanship is excellent, and the IP68-certified case once again feels very high-quality.
Compared to the iPhone 16, the display grows from 6.1 to 6.3 inches, making the front of the iPhone 17 look more like a Pro model than ever before. However, the dimensions remain almost unchanged due to the thinner screen edges.
The weight of the new iPhone also increases only slightly from 170 to 177 grams, making it just 12 grams heavier than the iPhone Air. The display is now protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which is said to be three times more scratch-resistant than the Ceramic Shield of the iPhone 16.
Available in Lavender, Sage, Fog Blue, Black, and White variants, the iPhone 17 still has an aluminum frame, the back is once again made of solid-colored glass, and the cameras are once again arranged on top of each other so that three-dimensional videos can also be recorded.
TORRAS Ostand Q3 Air: Secure protection for the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max
The Ostand Q3 Air is the new flagship smartphone case from TORRAS. It combines modern design with innovative protection - including the new "Air Cushion" technology on the top and bottom, which protects the iPhone like an airbag in the event of a fall from a height of up to 4 meters.
A padded ring protects the camera from damage, while side gripping surfaces with a "dot matrix" structure provide a secure hold - even with sweaty hands. The scratch-resistant back is also resistant to fingerprints. A robust material mix of polycarbonate, silicone and microfiber is responsible for all this.
The 360-degree rotatable stand is flush-mounted in the back. A strong magnet supports connections to MagSafe accessories such as power banks, wallets or holders.
The Q3 Air offers comprehensive all-round protection, perfect for anyone who is often on the move. It was specially developed for iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max and is available in the colors Black Shadow, Glacier Sprint, Deep Blue and Peach Gold.
Features - The iPhone 17 launches with 256 GB memory
The iPhone 17 leaps forward in terms of storage capacity. While the iPhone 16 started with 128 GB, it is now at least 256 GB with an unchanged 8 GB RAM. The European iPhone 17 models still have a SIM slot.
With an RRP of 949 euros ($799 in the US), the smallest iPhone costs the same as its predecessor despite having twice as much memory. For the 512 GB version, Apple charges 1,199 euros ($999 in the US). By comparison, the iPhone 16 with 512 GB was significantly more expensive at 1329 euros.
When it comes to USB-C speed, the iPhone 17 keeps its distance from the Pro models, as there is still only USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0. The USB-C interface makes it possible to mirror the display content on an external monitor using an adapter.
Software - iOS 17 and Liquid Glass
IOS 26 officially arrives with the iPhone 17 models. In addition to its new glass look, the latest version brings a number of system improvements. For example, the photo app is now clearer, the camera app got a new user interface, while Apple Intelligence makes it possible to translate and transcribe audio in real-time. We offer a more detailed review of the latest features of iOS 26 in this article.
In a typical Apple manner, there is no exact information on the support period. However, users can expect at least 5 years of updates for the iPhone 17. For example, the iPhone 11, which is already 6 years old, will still receive the update to iOS 26.
Sustainability
The iPhone 17 contains 30% recycled materials, including 100% recycled gold in all circuit boards developed by Apple. The battery comprises 95% recycled lithium, and the product packaging consists of 100% recycled wood fibers. All details can be found in the environmental report on the iPhone 17.
For self-repair, Apple offers repair manuals and spare parts. The manufacturer accepts old devices for trade-in to help buyers save on the purchase of a new iPhone.
Communication and GNSS - iPhone 17 with new N1 chip
With the N1, Apple installs a radio chip from its own production in the iPhone 17. With WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and Thread, it is state-of-the-art in terms of communication technology and supports numerous mobile frequencies, including 4x4 MIMO for 5G and LTE. A second-generation UWB chip flanks the N1.
The WiFi 7 bandwidth of the N1 chip is limited to 160 MHz instead of the standard 320 MHz. Connected to our reference router, Asus ROG Rapture AXE11000, the iPhone 17 nevertheless achieves a very high data throughput. In the transmission test, it lags slightly behind the transfer rates of the iPhone 16 but achieves a significantly higher speed in the receiving test.
| Networking | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Average 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
| Average of class Smartphone | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 6GHz | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 6GHz | |
The iPhone 17 uses the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou and NavIC satellite navigation services in dual band to determine its position. As our short bike tour shows, the smartphone is therefore very suitable for navigation. In comparison with the Garmin Venu 2 fitness smartwatch, the iPhone 17 has minor inaccuracies on some sections of the route, but these are negligible overall.
Phone functions and voice quality - Dual eSIM possible
A nano SIM card fits into the SIM slot of the iPhone 17, which also supports VoLTE and WiFi calling. An eSIM can also be activated, and dual eSIM operation is also possible. Additionally, the phone supports accident detection and the ability to make emergency calls via a satellite connection, features already available on the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 17 scores with natural voice quality and effectively suppresses ambient noise in the test if it is not too loud. In hands-free mode, intelligibility remains high, although voices sound somewhat muffled.
Camera - 2x 48 MP and a new center-stage selfie camera
The number of rear cameras remains a key distinguishing feature between the standard iPhone and the Pro models. The iPhone 17 also lacks a telephoto lens, which is why it still uses a dual setup consisting of a main and ultra-wide-angle camera.
However, both cameras on the iPhone 17 now have a resolution of 48 MP. This helps the ultra-wide-angle camera, in particular (12 MP on the iPhone 16), capture significantly better quality photos. It automatically switches to macro mode as soon as you get close enough to an object.
The main camera has not changed compared to the iPhone 16, but this is no drama, because the iPhone 17 also shoots very nice photos that are characterized by high sharpness, lots of details, realistic colors, and strong contrasts. The Apple phone records videos at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, delivering image quality comparable to that of photos. The videos are also well stabilized and supported by fast autofocus.
The main camera, which uses a small-format equivalent focal length of 26 mm, takes 24 MP photos as standard. It can be switched to 12 MP and can also utilize the full 48 MP resolution via the resolution control, compensating for the lack of telephoto zoom by using a 2x zoom to a 52 mm focal length, which only requires the inner area of the 48 MP sensor. This works well in practice and delivers very respectable results. However, at zoom factors greater than 2x (up to 10x is possible), the image quality quickly deteriorates.
The revised setup also includes a new "Center Stage" selfie camera. It has a resolution of 18 MP, is used in all iPhone 17 models, delivers very good image quality, and uses a square sensor. This makes it practical to take photos and videos in landscape format even when the smartphone is held upright.
The selfie camera automatically adjusts the image section if there are several people in front of the lens. With the dual recording option, videos can be recorded simultaneously using both the selfie and main cameras.
Image comparison
Choose a scene and navigate within the first image. One click changes the position on touchscreens. One click on the zoomed-in image opens the original in a new window. The first image shows the scaled photograph of the test device.
Main cameraMain cameraUltra wide-angleLow light
Under controlled lighting conditions, the main camera once again shows that it can display colors accurately. The test chart is still very clearly recognizable even with just 1 lux residual light and is captured quite sharply, something that hardly any other smartphone camera can do achieve.
Accessories and warranty - iPhone 17 with new strap
With the iPhone 17, the scope of delivery is limited to a USB-C cable, a few leaflets with safety instructions, and the EU energy label. A wide range of accessories is available in the Apple webshop. Especially for the iPhone 17, there are MagSafe silicone cases available in five colors, as well as a clear case version and a crossbody strap - a type of lanyard that fits Apple cases.
The iPhone 17 comes with a 12-month guarantee from Apple. It can be extended with AppleCare+, which covers repairs in the event of unintentional damage (subject to a deductible). Theft or loss can also be covered as an option.
Input devices and operation - Biometric unlocking via FaceID
The A19 SoC, 8 GB RAM, and the responsive 120 Hz OLED make the iPhone 17 very smooth to use. The Taptic Engine, a linear electromagnetic motor, provides crisp haptic feedback.
Apple's FaceID is used for biometric unlocking, which offers a high level of security thanks to three-dimensional facial recognition. Face ID can also be used to create additional profiles, such as those with glasses or a mask.
The action button triggers mute mode by default, but can also start music recognition using Shazam or switch on the flashlight, for example. On the right is the camera button, which launches the camera app and allows you to access camera settings.
Display - iPhone 17 with ProMotion OLED
Larger, smoother, and brighter than the iPhone 16 - that's how you could summarize the new features of the display. In addition, there is no longer any class difference to the Pro models, as the iPhone 17 lineup uses the technically identical Super Retina XDR display, apart from the form factor and resolution.
This is perhaps the most desired improvement to the display: the iPhone 17 has a ProMotion OLED that dynamically adjusts the refresh rate to up to 120 Hz. It also offers Always-On Display functionality, which reduces the refresh rate to 1 Hz.
Apple has also tweaked the brightness. Instead of the previous maximum of 2000 cd/m², the display can now reach up to 3000 cd/m² for short periods outdoors. As before, Apple specifies the average brightness as 1000 cd/m² and the maximum HDR value as 1600 cd/m². With smaller, bright image sections (APL18), however, we can achieve brightness levels of up to 1587 cd/m², even with SDR content.
Users who react to the PWM flickering of OLED screens with headaches and other physical complaints will find the iPhone 17 accommodating with a new function. Display pulse smoothing (PWM), which can be activated in the settings, switches the OLED panel from PWM to DC dimming. In terms of measurements, however, this makes hardly any difference, although the DC dimming signal is somewhat more even and also has a slightly smaller swing. For sensitive individuals, it is advisable to try out both dimming options before making a purchase.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 96 %
Center on Battery: 1138 cd/m²
Contrast: ∞:1 (Black: 0 cd/m²)
ΔE ColorChecker Calman: 1.07 | ∀{0.5-29.43 Ø4.8}
ΔE Greyscale Calman: 1.8 | ∀{0.09-98 Ø5.1}
99.6% sRGB (Calman 2D)
Gamma: 2.22
CCT: 6516 K
| Apple iPhone 17 OLED, 2622x1206, 6.3" | Apple iPhone 16 Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556x1179, 6.1" | Google Pixel 9 Pro OLED, 2856x1280, 6.3" | OnePlus 13 AMOLED, 3168x1440, 6.8" | Samsung Galaxy S25 AMOLED, 2340x1080, 6.2" | Xiaomi 15 OLED, 2670x1200, 6.4" | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 15% | 43% | 11% | -39% | -10% | |
| Brightness middle (cd/m²) | 1138 | 1101 -3% | 2083 83% | 1155 1% | 1301 14% | 1021 -10% |
| Brightness (cd/m²) | 1127 | 1102 -2% | 2016 79% | 1155 2% | 1311 16% | 1018 -10% |
| Brightness Distribution (%) | 96 | 99 3% | 84 -12% | 98 2% | 98 2% | 98 2% |
| Black Level * (cd/m²) | ||||||
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 1.07 | 0.9 16% | 0.7 35% | 1 7% | 3.1 -190% | 1.3 -21% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 2.99 | 1.5 50% | 2 33% | 1.8 40% | 4.4 -47% | 2.9 3% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 1.8 | 1.3 28% | 1.1 39% | 1.6 11% | 2.3 -28% | 2.2 -22% |
| Gamma | 2.22 99% | 2.16 102% | 2.22 99% | 2.3 96% | 2.01 109% | 2.25 98% |
| CCT | 6516 100% | 6480 100% | 6560 99% | 6503 100% | 6454 101% | 6658 98% |
* ... smaller is better
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM detected | 241 Hz Amplitude: 15 % |  | |
The display backlight flickers at 241 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) . The frequency of 241 Hz is relatively low, so sensitive users will likely notice flickering and experience eyestrain at the stated brightness setting and below. In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8215 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured. | |||
Measurement series with fixed zoom level and different brightness settings
(PWM factory setting)
(The amplitude curve at minimum brightness looks flat, but this is due to the scaling. The info box shows the enlarged version of the amplitude at minimum brightness)
Measurement series with fixed zoom level and different brightness settings
(PWM setting off)
(The amplitude curve at minimum brightness looks flat, but this is due to the scaling. The info box shows the enlarged version of the amplitude at minimum brightness)
The OLED screen displays colors very precisely and automatically adjusts to the ambient light with the True Tone option activated. There is also a Night Shift function that adjusts the colors to a warmer spectrum at night, making it easier on the eyes. Users with color deficiencies can also activate a suitable filter in the operating aids.
Display Response Times
| ↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 0.5 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 0.5 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 3 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (20.3 ms). | ||
| ↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
| 3.1 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 0.1 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 3 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 12 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (31.8 ms). | ||
The iPhone 17 performs very well outdoors. In addition to its high brightness, the device also benefits from an anti-reflective coating of the screen. It can't conjure up glare effects, but it does allow noticeably fewer reflections than the iPhone 16, which makes it easier to read content on the viewing-angle-stable display even in direct sunlight.
Performance - iPhone 17 with Apple A19
The iPhone 17 features the Apple A19, a 6-core CPU manufactured in the 3 nm process. In terms of performance, this chip is inferior to the Apple A19 Pro because it uses slightly less cache and only 5 GPU cores instead of 6. However, this still delivers outstanding performance at the level of a Snapdragon 8 Elite. In everyday use, even compute-intensive applications pose no problem for the SoC, and with many apps open simultaneously, nothing stutters or lags.
| AImark - Score v3.x | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Average of class Smartphone (82 - 307528, n=124, last 2 years) | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| Geekbench AI | |
| Single Precision NPU 1.5 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (153 - 5210, n=34, last 2 years) | |
| Half Precision NPU 1.5 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (178 - 35890, n=34, last 2 years) | |
| Quantized NPU 1.5 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (133 - 49889, n=34, last 2 years) | |
In the GPU benchmarks, the iPhone 17 can no longer compete with the Snapdragon 8 Elite but is still noticeably faster than the iPhone 16. Overall, with the Apple A19, you also get a compelling graphics solution.
GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7: T-Rex Onscreen | 1920x1080 T-Rex Offscreen
GFXBench 3.0: on screen Manhattan Onscreen OGL | 1920x1080 1080p Manhattan Offscreen
GFXBench 3.1: on screen Manhattan ES 3.1 Onscreen | 1920x1080 Manhattan ES 3.1 Offscreen
GFXBench: on screen Car Chase Onscreen | 1920x1080 Car Chase Offscreen | on screen Aztec Ruins High Tier Onscreen | 2560x1440 Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen | on screen Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Onscreen | 1920x1080 Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Offscreen | 3840x2160 4K Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen
| 3DMark / Wild Life Extreme Unlimited | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| 3DMark / Wild Life Extreme | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| 3DMark / Wild Life Unlimited Score | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| 3DMark / Solar Bay Score | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| 3DMark / Solar Bay Unlimited Score | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| 3DMark / Steel Nomad Light Unlimited Score | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| 3DMark / Steel Nomad Light Score | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7 / T-Rex Onscreen | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7 / T-Rex Offscreen | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| GFXBench 3.0 / Manhattan Onscreen OGL | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| GFXBench 3.0 / 1080p Manhattan Offscreen | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| GFXBench 3.1 / Manhattan ES 3.1 Onscreen | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| GFXBench 3.1 / Manhattan ES 3.1 Offscreen | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| GFXBench / Car Chase Onscreen | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| GFXBench / Car Chase Offscreen | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| GFXBench / Aztec Ruins High Tier Onscreen | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| GFXBench / Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| GFXBench / Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Onscreen | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| GFXBench / Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Offscreen | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| GFXBench / 4K Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
In browser benchmarks, iPhones usually don't give the Android competition a chance. The iPhone 17 follows this tradition and consistently ranks first.
| Jetstream 2 - 2.0 Total Score | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
| Apple iPhone 17 (Safari Mobile 26) | |
| Apple iPhone 16 (Safari 18) | |
| OnePlus 13 (Chrome 131) | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 (Chrome 134) | |
| Xiaomi 15 (Chrome 131.0.6778.104) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (13.8 - 387, n=149, last 2 years) | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro (Chrome 131.0.6778.81) | |
| Speedometer 2.0 - Result | |
| Apple iPhone 17 (Safari Mobile 26) | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
| Apple iPhone 16 (Safari 18) | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 (Chrome 134) | |
| OnePlus 13 (Chrome 140) | |
| Xiaomi 15 (Chrome 131.0.6778.104) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (15.2 - 621, n=131, last 2 years) | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro (Chrome 131.0.6778.81) | |
| Speedometer 3.0 - Score | |
| Apple iPhone 17 (Safari Mobile 26) | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
| Apple iPhone 16 (Safari 18) | |
| OnePlus 13 (Chrome 131) | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 (Chrome 134) | |
| Xiaomi 15 (Chrome 131.0.6778.104) | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro (Chrome 131.0.6778.81) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (1.03 - 41.7, n=119, last 2 years) | |
| WebXPRT 4 - Overall | |
| Apple iPhone 17 (Safari Mobile 26) | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
| Apple iPhone 16 (Safari 18) | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 (Chrome 134) | |
| OnePlus 13 (Chrome 131) | |
| Xiaomi 15 (Chrome 131.0.6778.104) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (27 - 302, n=144, last 2 years) | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro (Chrome 131.0.6778.81) | |
| Octane V2 - Total Score | |
| Apple iPhone 17 (Safari Mobile 26) | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
| Apple iPhone 16 (Safari 18) | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 (Chrome 134) | |
| OnePlus 13 (Chrome 131) | |
| Xiaomi 15 (Chrome 131.0.6778.104) | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro (Chrome 131.0.6778.81) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (2228 - 119218, n=197, last 2 years) | |
| Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total | |
| Average of class Smartphone (263 - 28190, n=152, last 2 years) | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro (Chrome 131.0.6778.81) | |
| Xiaomi 15 (Chrome 131.0.6778.104) | |
| OnePlus 13 (Chrome 131) | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 (Chrome 134) | |
| Apple iPhone 16 (Safari 18) | |
| Apple iPhone 17 (Safari Mobile 26) | |
| Average Apple A19 (n=1) | |
* ... smaller is better
Thanks to its NVMe storage, the iPhone 17 scores with very short loading times. Unfortunately, we cannot provide any figures, as there is no reliable iOS memory benchmark available.
Games - Up to 120 Hz with Genshin Impact
With its A19 SoC, the iPhone 17 is a powerful gaming platform. The tests with Gamebench show that demanding titles such as Genshin Impact can reach 120 frames per second even at the highest detail level. PUBG Mobile also runs extremely smoothly, setting the game's internal frame limit at around 80 frames per second.
Emissions - Cooler than the predecessor
Temperature
With surface temperatures of up to 43.3 °C, the iPhone 17 remains cooler under load than the iPhone 16. In the 3DMark stress tests, however, the test device loses a third of its maximum performance. Here again, the iPhone 16 is a touch more efficient.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 43 °C / 109 F, compared to the average of 35.2 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 247 °C for the class Smartphone.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 45.3 °C / 114 F, compared to the average of 33.9 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 27.9 °C / 82 F, compared to the device average of 32.9 °C / 91 F.
3DMark Stress Tests
| 3DMark | |
| Wild Life Stress Test Stability | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Wild Life Extreme Stress Test | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| Solar Bay Stress Test Stability | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
| Steel Nomad Light Stress Test Stability | |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | |
| Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Xiaomi 15 | |
| Apple iPhone 17 | |
| OnePlus 13 | |
Speaker
The stereo speakers cannot play too loudly, with a maximum of 81.3 dB(A), and are designed to be treble-heavy; voice reproduction, however, and the overall sound are pretty decent by smartphone standards. In terms of Bluetooth codecs, Apple limits itself to SBC and AAC. Alternatively, headphones and external speakers can also be connected via a USB-C port.
Apple iPhone 17 audio analysis
(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (81.3 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(±) | reduced bass - on average 9.2% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (11.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 3.1% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (6% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 5.1% higher than median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (7.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (14.8% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 1% of all tested devices in this class were better, 2% similar, 97% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 35%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 19% of all tested devices were better, 4% similar, 77% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Samsung Galaxy S25 audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (91.7 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 24% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (3.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | reduced mids - on average 7.1% lower than median
(+) | mids are linear (5.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 4.1% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (2% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (17.3% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 10% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 82% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 35%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 31% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 61% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Battery life - Runs longer, charges faster
Power consumption
The iPhone 17 charges via MagSafe and Qi2-compatible adapters with up to 25 watts. Wired charging is possible at a maximum of 40 watts. If you use the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max, half of the battery capacity should be recharged within 20 minutes.
Small flaw: Apple does not offer this power adapter in some regions. However, this is not a bad thing, as the iPhone 17 charges just as quickly with third-party models, in our case with the Anker 317 (100 watts). The iPhone 17 is charged with up to 38 watts, and 50% of capacity was ready after 23 minutes (80% after 45 minutes).
To protect the battery, the charging limit can be reduced from 100 to 80 percent. Without a charging limit, the iPhone 17 is fully charged in the test in 1 hour and 24 minutes.
| Off / Standby |   0.1 / 0.2 Watt |
| Idle |  1.1 / 1.3 / 1.5 Watt |
| Load |
7.6 / 12 Watt |
    
| |
Key:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Metrahit Energy | |
| Apple iPhone 17 3692 mAh | Apple iPhone 16 3561 mAh | Google Pixel 9 Pro 4700 mAh | OnePlus 13 6000 mAh | Samsung Galaxy S25 4000 mAh | Xiaomi 15 5400 mAh | Average Apple A19 | Average of class Smartphone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 21% | 3% | -15% | -1% | 20% | 0% | 4% | |
| Idle Minimum * (Watt) | 1.1 | 0.51 54% | 0.59 46% | 0.86 22% | 0.47 57% | 0.5 55% | 1.1 ? -0% | 0.857 ? 22% |
| Idle Average * (Watt) | 1.3 | 1.42 -9% | 1.1 15% | 1.74 -34% | 1.04 20% | 1.11 15% | 1.3 ? -0% | 1.424 ? -10% |
| Idle Maximum * (Watt) | 1.5 | 1.43 5% | 1.2 20% | 1.85 -23% | 1.07 29% | 1.13 25% | 1.5 ? -0% | 1.597 ? -6% |
| Load Average * (Watt) | 7.6 | 4.21 45% | 7.15 6% | 10.69 -41% | 13.33 -75% | 8.91 -17% | 7.6 ? -0% | 7.23 ? 5% |
| Load Maximum * (Watt) | 12 | 10.96 9% | 20.37 -70% | 11.92 1% | 16.38 -37% | 9.3 22% | 12 ? -0% | 11.1 ? 7% |
* ... smaller is better
Power consumption: Geekbench (150 cd/m²)
Power consumption: GFXbench (150 cd/m²)
Battery life
The iPhone 17 only has a 3.7 percent larger battery than the iPhone 16, but achieves noticeably longer battery life. In the realistic WLAN test, it lasts for 20 hours, and when playing an HD video in a continuous loop, it even lasts almost 30 hours.
| Apple iPhone 17 3692 mAh | Apple iPhone 16 3561 mAh | Google Pixel 9 Pro 4700 mAh | OnePlus 13 6000 mAh | Samsung Galaxy S25 4000 mAh | Xiaomi 15 5400 mAh | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery runtime | -20% | -15% | -2% | -21% | 8% | |
| Reader / Idle (h) | 66.7 | 46.2 -31% | 37.8 -43% | 45.2 -32% | 62.7 -6% | |
| H.264 (h) | 29.4 | 23.1 -21% | 38.7 32% | 26.5 -10% | 29.7 1% | |
| WiFi v1.3 (h) | 20.1 | 18.3 -9% | 17 -15% | 22.5 12% | 18 -10% | 22.8 13% |
| Load (h) | 4.4 | 3.6 -18% | 4 -9% | 3 -32% | 5.4 23% |
Notebookcheck overall rating
Compared to the iPhone 16, the Apple iPhone 17 is a significantly better smartphone: twice as much storage, a brighter and larger display with 120 Hz, an even faster SoC, and longer battery life with faster charging.
Apple iPhone 17
- 10/09/2025 v8
Manuel Masiero
Total Sustainability Score: Possible alternatives in comparison
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Drive | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 17 Apple A19 ⎘ Apple A19 GPU ⎘ 8 GB Memory, 256 GB NVMe | Amazon: 1. $49.99 Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Tech... 2. $6.99 Ailun 3 Pack Screen Protecto... 3. $9.99 iPhone 17 16 15 Charger Fast... List Price: 949 Euro | 177 g | 256 GB NVMe | 6.30" 2622x1206 460 PPI OLED | |
2. 88.2%  | Apple iPhone 16 Apple A18 ⎘ Apple A18 GPU ⎘ 8 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $899.00 iPhone 16 / 128GB / Black (S... 2. $39.99 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Silicone... 3. $5.99 Ailun Screen Protector for i... List Price: 1329€ | 170 g | Apple 512GB NVMe | 6.10" 2556x1179 460 PPI Super Retina XDR OLED |
3. 85.7%  | Google Pixel 9 Pro Google Tensor G4 ⎘ ARM Mali-G715 MP7 ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 128 GB | Amazon: 1. $799.00 Google Pixel 9 Pro - Unlocke... 2. $1,523.99 Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold - Un... 3. $9.99 OMOTON 3+2 Pack for Google P... | 199 g | 128 GB UFS 3.1 Flash | 6.30" 2856x1280 495 PPI OLED |
4. 87.6%  | OnePlus 13 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite ⎘ Qualcomm Adreno 830 ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 512 GB | Amazon: 1. $166.84 Lkfyyds for OnePlus 13 PJZ11... 2. $35.49 Original Super Vooc150W Char... 3. $176.85 MPXPOTTHW Cell Phone Replace... List Price: 720€ | 213 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.82" 3168x1440 510 PPI AMOLED |
5. 88.9%  | Samsung Galaxy S25 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy ⎘ Qualcomm Adreno 830 ⎘ 12 GB Memory, 256 GB | Amazon: 1. $6.70 amFilm Auto-alignment OneTou... 2. $7.58 firtstnow 3 Pack Glass Scree... 3. $7.99 Supershieldz (3 Pack) Design... List Price: 899€ | 162 g | 256 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.20" 2340x1080 416 PPI AMOLED |
6. 88.4%  | Xiaomi 15 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite ⎘ Qualcomm Adreno 830 ⎘ 12 GB Memory, 512 GB | Amazon: 1. $11.99 Ibywind for Xiaomi 15 Ultra ... 2. $11.99 Ibywind 2 Pack Screen Protec... 3. $7.99 Suttkue for Xiaomi 15 Screen... List Price: 760€ | 191 g | 512 GB UFS 4.0 Flash | 6.36" 2670x1200 460 PPI OLED |
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The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was provided to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or retailer for the purpose of this review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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