I upgraded to the iPhone 17 in December. Coming from the iPhone 15, I definitely noticed immediate improvements, and can already declare, one month in, that this is the best upgrade I’ve received so far. Apple really outdid themselves with this one.
The very first thing I noticed about the iPhone 17 was the sound quality. It’s something I had heard so much about and was very much looking forward to. Both with playing media and just the general sound of VoiceOver, there seems to be almost this base-like quality and it’s so much easier to hear. I did notice a difference in the VoiceOver sound when I raise the volume, which takes some getting used to, but all in all I really appreciate the high-quality sound.
As someone who also uses a MagSafe wireless charger, I’ve noticed the iPhone 17 has a stronger magnetization than my iPhone 15. I’m not sure if the type of case matters — mine is a pretty slim one that didn’t come from the Apple store — but even so, it seems to stick a lot better on the charger and is impossible to accidentally bump off of the charging circle.
A feature I didn’t expect to like but am using a lot is the integration of Apple Intelligence into Siri, specifically using ChatGPT. I use Female Siri Voice 4, and it sounds more human-like than if I had Apple Intelligence turned off. Not only will you get much smarter answers, but a feature I actually read about here on the AppleVis Forums that I tried myself is “describe my screen.” I feel like maybe this would come in handy if you’re having issues with an app. I actually use it when browsing Instagram stories. It saves me from having to take a screenshot. I just say “Describe my screen,” Siri asks if I want to send the screenshot to ChatGPT, and then describes it.
The battery on the iPhone 17 is also better than I expected. I easily get a full day out of it, and very rarely is the phone actually low by the time I’m ready to put it on the charger for the night. Often times, it’s anywhere between 30 and 40 percent. Apps that used to overheat my phone, such as audiobook apps and Uber, don’t do that on this model. Some apps do drain the battery slightly faster than others, but not to the extent as on my iPhone 15.
I’ve also noticed an improvement in the camera. This is something I really didn’t expect to pay much attention to, as someone who uses the Aira or Be My Eyes app to take or send pictures rather than the native camera app. However, I’ve noticed that when using Aira, I don’t have to move my phone around as much for the agent to get a clear view. Agents do still need to use the flashlight sometimes to see better, especially if there’s dim lighting, but they don’t need to Zoom in as clearly. Even the flashlight isn’t used as often, and the AI descriptions seem to be better and less blurry. This could very well just be coincidental, but it’s an observation I’ve had. The camera on the iPhone 17 just seems to be much better quality.
While I certainly do appreciate the upgrade, my only complaint is VoiceOver’s volume on a phone call. That base-like quality I talked about earlier seems to carry over into phone calls, too. I appreciate the better sound, but the output is often so loud that I have to turn the volume down in order to hear the person on the other end more clearly, especially if I’m using apps like Aira or Be My Eyes.
All in all, even with that one complaint, I’m very satisfied with the iPhone 17. It’s the best upgrade I’ve gotten so far in the 10+ years I’ve been an iPhone user. Apple really outdid themselves with this one!
Comments
Wait for march and they will outdo themselves again
Hi Ali, I heard about the Iphone 17e and they will still outdo themselves. I am looking to save up for one of those
Bigger improvements coming
I am looking forward to the known improvements Apple will be rolling out in the next few years. Apple will introduce the second generation of its modem chip into the iPhone Pro models. The first generation used 30 percent less energy, reducing battery drain. This year or next will find Apple introducing two nanometer processors to the world. These will offer a significant increase in processor capacity for advanced services like Apple Intelligence.
Agree
I agree with you. I also have iPhone 17 and I am very happy.
The iPhone 17 series truly excels in terms of hardware
I use the iPhone 17 Pro. My experience is similar to Alicia's; the speakers and camera have given me a substantially good experience. I feel the improvement in the camera very distinctly. Previously, when I used my old iPhone to scan QR codes for payments, it was often difficult because I couldn't perfectly align the camera with the QR code. Now, this situation has greatly improved; the camera has become much more sensitive, and I can successfully scan without needing to perfectly align it. For someone who is completely blind, this is truly a huge improvement. As for the speakers, I do think the sound quality is much better, but there's one thing I haven't fully gotten used to even after four months: the bottom speaker moved from the right side to the left. I usually like to hold the bottom speaker close to my ear to listen to VoiceOver content, but now, due to the change in speaker position, the action of holding the bottom of the iPhone to my ear has become very awkward. So, this is what I consider the biggest issue with this generation of iPhone. Oh, and I should also add that there's still a certain difference in sound quality between the 17 series and the 17 Pro series; the sound quality of the Pro series is noticeably better than the 17 this time.
Perception
It feels almost as if Apple designed the 17 series to be held in your left hand, while talking on the phone, rather than your right, considering the relocation of the bottom speaker and microphone.
Just my two cents...
Great phone but…
Coming from the 16+ and prior, the 15th+, let me assure you that the speakers on the 17 are not as good as these two handsets, IMO! Still, I love my 17! Thanks for the review!
Same price
Heard will be the same price. Almost forgot Long live cats.
Great review
Great review. I’m glad you’re enjoying this phone. I have an iPhone 15 now. I just got it in August of last year so I won’t be upgrading for a while. But I’m glad you’re enjoying the new phone. I have an iPhone 15 at my primary phone and then for my secondary device which is basically more for an iPad is my iPhone SE third generation. Has it been tricky to get used to the action button rather than a mute switch? That was the reason that I got an iPhone 15 because I didn’t like the idea of having an action button. I like having just a sliding switch for meeting and meeting the phone.
Shall i upgrade
i have iphone 15 shall i upgrade iphone 17 or not
That is totally up to you.
That was totally up to you. It depends if there’s certain features on that device that you want that you’re not getting now or you know the age of your phone is a lot of factors. I have an iPhone 15 and I love it. I got my iPhone 15 in August last year, though so mine still really knew. But you know upgrading a device is definitely completely up to you. But whatever decision you make I hope that you’re enjoying your device.
thank you
Thanks for all the comments! I truly enjoyed writing this review.
Regarding Longma's comment, I did notice the relocation of the bottom speaker. However, I personally don't hold my phone like that. I hold it with the top speaker hovering near my ear so I can hear it. I don't like holding it at an angle. I don't like to press it fully to my ear because sometimes I'll press something inadvertently with my cheek. These touchscreens are so sensitive!
Thanks for reading, everyone!
Did it take a while to get used to an action button versus the m
Did it take you a while to get used to an action button versus having a mute switch? I only was asking because I felt an iPhone 16e in the Apple Store and I didn’t like the feel of action. That was one of the reasons I got an iPhone 15 because I knew it still had a mute switch. Thanks.
Sound quality and Action Button.
In response to Singer Girl: I really like the Action Button and the fact you can change its settings. I've kept mine to Ring Mode and Silent Mode.
My question: Is the sound quality in the iPhone 17 better than the 16?
re: action button
While not mentioned in this review, the action button was the other thing I was really looking forward to. It wasn't an adjustment for me at all.
Re: Action button
in a perfect world, Apple would have left the mute switch alone, and designed the new camera button debuted in the iPhone 16 models, to instead be the action button. This way, it could be set as default for camera, but if somebody doesn't want that, they could change it to something else.
OK, that’s good to know
I’m glad there wasn’t too much of an adjustment to the action button. Obviously my next phone is going to have to have that since Apple doesn’t make any other phone with a mute switch anymore. See my thinking at the time when I got my phone was that had Apple had already taken away my home button so I didn’t want them to take away my mute switch too, so I got the last phone. I had one available still.
Singer Girl
Apple gives it and apple takes it away. Regarding silent button, in the lock screen I put the silent button and it works well. Instead of flash light and camera, I have silent and another. Action button is for Apple intelligent which I never use it.