iPhone 14: What differentiates the standard, Pro, and older models
The iPhone 17 Upgrade: Smoke and Mirrors?
Apple's latest iPhone 17 is generating buzz, with reports claiming preorders are "crushing it" and the baseline model is the one to watch. The headlines tout improvements like a 120Hz display across the entire lineup and a bump in base storage to 256GB. But, as usual, the devil's in the details – and in comparing the actual numbers.
The claim that the base iPhone 17 is "crushing it" needs context. Preorder numbers alone don't tell the whole story. Are they higher than the iPhone 16? Yes. But are they higher relative to expectations? That's the crucial question. Apple could be deliberately limiting production of the Pro models to drive up demand for the base model, creating an artificial sense of success. Apple iPhone shipments to beat Samsung for the first time in 14 years, report says
The Storage Bump: A Win, But a Late One
The move to 256GB base storage is welcome, but let's not act like Apple is doing us a favor. They're simply catching up to where they should have been years ago. The fact that they maintained the $829 starting price is a smart PR move. But it's also a reflection of the declining cost of flash memory. They're not being generous; they're being realistic. (And still making a hefty profit margin, of course.)
The always-on 120Hz display is another incremental upgrade being presented as revolutionary. Yes, smoother scrolling is nice. And yes, the anti-reflective coating is helpful (especially for those of us who spend too much time staring at screens outdoors). But these are quality-of-life improvements, not game-changers. The real question is: how much does this impact battery life in real-world usage? Apple claims up to 8 hours more video playback, but video playback is a highly controlled, optimized scenario. What about browsing, gaming, and using resource-intensive apps?
Camera Control: The Real Story
The camera upgrades are more interesting. Bumping the ultrawide camera to 48 megapixels is a genuine improvement, potentially leading to sharper, more detailed photos. The upgraded front-facing camera is also a plus, especially for selfie enthusiasts.
However, these upgrades are specifically for the iPhone 17 lineup. Which means even with iOS 26, older models won't get these features.
The article highlights a new Center Stage feature that automatically adjusts selfie photos from portrait to landscape. I’ll be honest, this feature doesn’t appeal to me. I am not a content creator or influencer, so I am not in the target audience. But, the Dual Capture feature, which simultaneously records on the front and back cameras, could be useful for some users.
Battery life is also cited as a key improvement, with Apple claiming up to 8 hours more of video playback than the iPhone 16. CNET's testing showed a slight improvement in a 3-hour streaming test (89% battery remaining on the iPhone 17 vs. 86% on the iPhone 16). But again, these are controlled tests. Real-world battery life depends heavily on usage patterns. 40-watt charging is faster than the iPhone 16's 25 watts, but it's still not the fastest charging on the market. Many Android phones offer significantly faster charging speeds.
The comparison to older iPhones is where the marketing starts to fall apart. The iPhone 17 offers some improvements over the iPhone 15, such as Apple Intelligence. The most significant upgrade is the USB-C port, which replaces the outdated Lightning port on the iPhone 14 and older models. Is an iPhone 17 Upgrade Worth It? Here's How It Compares to Apple's Older Models
There's also the question of longevity. An iPhone 12 is, at this point, five years old. Internal flash memory has a limited lifespan (measured in program/erase cycles), and the battery's capacity degrades over time. A sluggish iPhone 12 isn't just about the processor; it's about the wear and tear on the hardware itself.
Same Wine, Slightly Newer Bottle
The iPhone 17 is a decent phone, but it's not a revolutionary one. The upgrades are incremental, and the marketing hype is, as usual, overblown. If you're coming from an iPhone 14 or earlier, the upgrade might be worth it. But if you have an iPhone 15 or 16, you're probably better off waiting another year.