Follow zdnet: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
There are many dedicated iPhone users, like me, who are loyal to the base model iPhones. I upgrade my iPhone every two years, so I don’t bother with the pro variations.
My position is that as base model iPhones get more advanced, I don’t need to spend a few hundred extra dollars on features that a casual user like me won’t need. I’m the opposite of a power user, unless power is synonymous with scrolling through TikTok in a terrible way.
Also: Every iPhone That Can Be Updated to iOS 26 (and When You Can Install It)
If you’re planning to upgrade to a new iPhone but are wondering if the Pro models are too advanced for your everyday needs, the base model has some pro-level features that even the most casual user can appreciate.
Here are some reasons why I’m upgrading to the iPhone 17 over the iPhone 17 Pro, and some of my reasons may help you make your buying decision as well.
1. Pro-level display
One of the features of the base model iPhone 17 “Pro” is its new upgraded display. Compared to the iPhone 16 — and all previous standard generations — the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro have the exact same display specs.
The base model iPhone 17 gets an upgraded 6.3-inch display, 120Hz refresh rate, always-on display, 2,622 x 1,206 pixel resolution, and 3,000 NITS maximum outdoor brightness. All of these specs are upgrades over the iPhone 16. Previously, the larger display, faster refresh rate, and always-on display were reserved for the Pro models.
Also: T-Mobile will give you a free iPhone 17 Pro — Here’s how to get yours
For the casual iPhone user, these display specs may not be integral enough to the user experience to warrant paying the extra money, and they aren’t for me. But including them in the base model of the phone makes them a nice addition, and I’m excited about that.
2. Upgraded camera system
The iPhone 17 has an 18MP center-stage front camera. This is the first major upgrade to the front camera since the iPhone 11, and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t reserved for the Pro models.
During Apple’s keynote, the company said the iPhone 17’s rear camera has four times the resolution of the iPhone 16, and the square shape of the center-stage front camera allows for more pixels, flexible photo framing, stabilization, and a wider field of view.
Also: iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro: Why I’m upgrading to this year’s model after three years
The new camera uses AI to expand the camera’s field of view so you can take landscape photos while holding the phone vertically.
If you use your iPhone camera for everyday photos and videos, the iPhone 17’s camera system will be more than enough. However, if you plan on shooting professional-quality photos and videos, the base model iPhones lack the extra optical zoom, pro file format, and other pro-level photo and video polishing capabilities found on the iPhone 17 Pro.
3. More customization options
The iPhone 17’s storage configurations are improved from last year’s models; it now starts with 256GB of internal storage for the same $799 starting price. More advanced features and more powerful iOS updates require more onboard storage, so that’s a plus for users who don’t want to pay more for a storage upgrade on the base model or rely solely on iCloud.
Also: Why I’m breaking my 5-year iPhone upgrade cycle — and I’m not alone
Additionally, the base iPhone 17 offers more, and arguably better, color options than the Pro models. The base model comes in five colors: lavender, sage, mist blue, white, and black, while the Pro models come in three colors: space orange, deep blue, and silver.
ZDNET Buying Advice
There’s a $300 price increase between the 265GB iPhone 17 and the 256GB iPhone 17 Pro. However, if your phone usage requires more than the 512GB limit of the standard model, you’ll want to consider the iPhone 17 Pro.
Also: Every iPhone 17 model compared: Should you buy the base model, air, pro, or max?
The two phones have the same display specs, so if you’re eyeing the pro model specifically for a larger display or faster refresh rate, the iPhone 17 can get the job done. For casual use—texting, calling, navigating, surfing the web, YouTube-ing, and scrolling through social media—the iPhone 17 will do the trick for most people, and its improved battery capacity over the entire iPhone 16 family helps with that.
The biggest differences are in the two phones’ camera systems and internal processors, with the iPhone 17 Pro featuring an upgraded A19 Pro chip. The iPhone 17 Pro also features an additional rear 48MP fusion telephoto lens, more optical zoom settings, and pro image file compatibility. The upgraded camera gives the iPhone 17 more advanced photography and videography capabilities, making it suitable for content creators and professionals.
