Which new iPhone should you buy? Comparing iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 vs 17 Pro and Pro Max
It's time. You've finally decided to say goodbye to that iPhone you've been using for half a decade. Apple just had its big annual iPhone launch event, where it announced its new iPhone 17 line of smartphones (plus a whole lot more). An upgrade right now just makes sense.
But which new iPhone is right for you? Apple announced four new iPhone models at its event, and you have a tough decision to make:
iPhone 17 — $799
iPhone Air — $999
iPhone 17 Pro — $1,099
iPhone 17 Pro Max — $1,199
Mashable has extensive coverage of the Apple event, breaking down all of the news, every single spec announced, and more. But, maybe all those technical details just don't translate into an obvious answer to your question.
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So, here's a much more straightforward breakdown to answer the question: What new iPhone should I buy?
iPhone 17
Here's the honest truth. The standard iPhone 17 model is more than enough smartphone for the vast majority of users. That's long been the case for the base model of any iPhone lineup. But this year, Apple really went out of its way to close the gap between the iPhone 17 and its more expensive Pro model siblings.
The iPhone 17 is powered by Apple's A19 chip, which will make this base model feel like a Pro model when compared to its predecessors. The iPhone 17 is also getting the same Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology (and a 120Hz refresh rate) that the current Pro lineup has, a first.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the iPhone 17 and the Pro 17 models are the cameras. The iPhone 17 base model still only features two rear camera lenses, whereas the Pro models still have an additional camera lens.
However, the cameras the iPhone 17 does have are the same as the Pro: a 48MP Fusion Main camera, a 48MP Fusion ultra-wide camera, and the long-awaited front-facing 18MP Center Stage camera upgrade.
If you're just going to use your iPhone to handle the basics – phone calls, texting, emails, web browsing, casual photography and video – then it makes sense to save your money and go with the $799 base model of the iPhone 17.
iPhone Air
Apple debuted an entirely new iPhone model this year, the iPhone Air. It's Apple's thinnest phone ever, with the device being just 5.6mm thick at its thinnest point.
But, who is it for? Mashable's Chris Taylor asked that same question after Apple announced the device. The iPhone Air is ultra-thin and Apple packed its most powerful processor, the A19 Pro, inside of it. However, it has the least number of cameras when compared to any iPhone in the new lineup and, priced at $999, has a shorter battery life than the cheaper base iPhone model.
However, I can see the thinnest iPhone ever being the iPhone of choice for those who are looking for a more lightweight and minimalist device. With just one camera lens on the rear of the device and a Pixel-style camera bump (sorry, a Pixel-style camera plateau), the iPhone Air is sleeker and lighter than the other models. Some people are just tired of carrying around a big bulky smartphone, and I think that's exactly who the iPhone Air will speak to. If that's you — and you aren't overly worried about battery performance — that's the new iPhone to check out.
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
Are you a power user? Do you multitask with multiple apps simultaneously running different processes? Do you need an 8x telephoto lens for high-quality, ultra-zoomed-in photography? Looking to shoot 4k video at 120fps?
Then the iPhone 17 Pro is for you. It is Apple's most powerful iPhone to date, powered by the new A19 Pro chip. This is the same chip found in the iPhone Air. However, the 17 Pro has a 6-core GPU, making it better equipped to handle video, games, and other graphics-intensive processes.
The iPhone 17 Pro has three rear camera lenses, more than any other smartphone in the iPhone 17 line. And, as previously mentioned, it's the only model in the iPhone 17 lineup that can shoot 120fps.
The iPhone 17 Pro is the iPhone for mobile gamers, content creators, developers, or anyone else using their smartphone as a critical tool in their work.
Now, in previous lineups, we would have separated the iPhone Pro Max model into its own section because Apple used to pack a few additional features in its largest model. However, with the iPhone 17 lineup, the only real difference between the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max is the size, battery, and potential storage space.
So, if the iPhone 17 Pro is for you, but you want the longest battery life, a whopping 2TB of storage option for all of your content, and a big 6.9 inch screen, then go with the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
