In 2025, Apple introduced a brand-new iPhone 17 series, including the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro. Each of these three models focuses on different aspects such as performance, design, and features, catering to various user needs. Many might wonder: What iPhone should I get? Which iPhone is better?
Choosing the best iPhone depends on your budget, lifestyle, and personal preferences. In this iPhone review, we will provide a detailed look at the highlights and differences of the three new models, along with buying suggestions.
Apple's iPhone 17 series includes three models: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro. Each model has its own distinct positioning and advantages. If you're looking to find the iPhone that suits you best, it's important to first understand the unique features of each model.
The iPhone 17 features a refined design with contoured edges, slim borders, and durable materials like Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, ensuring it remains as stunning as it looks. Enjoy more of what you love on a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, and experience smoother scrolling and enhanced gaming with ProMotion, offering an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
Colors: Pick from five stunning finishes: lavender, sage, mist blue, white, and black.
Processor: The A19 chip drives everything on the iPhone, from Apple Intelligence features like Live Translation and Image Playground to ProMotion, enhancing your experience with high-performance AAA games.
Battery Life: With all-day battery life, you can work, watch, and explore without a second thought. Just 10 minutes of charging with a high-wattage adapter gives you up to 8 hours of video playback.
Cameras: The iPhone 17 is equipped with an 18MP central front camera and 48MP rear cameras, including a 48MP Fusion Main camera with a 2x optical-quality telephoto, and a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera.
The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever. It is only 5.6mm thick and weighs 165g. It features a 6.5-inch immersive display and a Grade 5 titanium frame made with 80% recycled titanium, combining exceptional strength with stunning design. The new Ceramic Shield 2 on the front offers 3 times better scratch resistance.
Colors: Offered in four stunning colors: sky blue, light gold, cloud white, and space black.
Processor: The iPhone Air is designed to offer pro-level performance in the thinnest iPhone ever. It is equipped with the A19 Pro chip and the C1X modem.
Battery Life: All-day battery life. Enjoy up to 27 hours of video playback and charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Cameras: The iPhone Air is equipped with an 18MP Center Stage front camera and a 48MP Fusion Main camera. It has a powerful 48MP Fusion camera system, combining multiple advanced cameras in one. Capture stunning details in super-high-resolution 48MP, shoot in 24MP by default, or use the built-in 2x Telephoto to zoom in with exceptional clarity.
The iPhone 17 Pro is the most powerful iPhone model to date. It features a heat-forged aluminum unibody enclosure, with the back protected by Ceramic Shield, improving crack resistance by 4 times. The front is equipped with the New Ceramic Shield 2, offering 3 times better scratch resistance. It comes with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR displays, which are brighter and have improved anti-reflection performance. The ProMotion refresh rate reaches up to 120Hz.
Colors: Pick from three striking finishes: cosmic orange, deep blue, and silver.
Processor: The iPhone 17 Pro is powered by the A19 Pro chip, combined with an innovative thermal design that boosts sustained GPU and CPU performance by 40%. Additionally, with each GPU core integrated with a neural accelerator, the iPhone 17 Pro is more powerful than ever when working with local AI models.
Battery Life: All-time high. Up to 33 hours of video playback on the iPhone 17 Pro; Up to 39 hours of video playback on the iPhone 17 Pro Max; 50% charge in just 20 minutes with a high-wattage power adapter
Cameras: The iPhone 17 Pro is equipped with an 18MP Center Stage front camera, a 48MP Fusion Main camera, a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera, and a 48MP Fusion Telephoto camera. It features the longest iPhone Telephoto lens yet, with an equivalent 200mm focal length, thanks to the next-generation tetraprism design and a 56% larger sensor. This lets you unlock even more creative possibilities, offering a 16x optical zoom range to bring greater reach to your shots.
After learning about the features of the three models, many people may struggle with which one to choose. Different user needs determine which iPhone is right for you. To help you compare more easily, we've put together a table:
Summary:
When upgrading to the latest iPhone series, many people forget an important step: handling their old iPhone properly. Before selling, recycling, or giving away your device, you should first back up your data to avoid losing important files, and then erase the iPhone completely to protect your privacy.
The first step before switching to a new iPhone is to back up your old device to avoid data loss. With Coolmuster iOS Assistant, you can easily transfer contacts, messages, photos, music, and videos from your iPhone to your computer with just a few clicks. Unlike iCloud/iTunes, it allows for selective backups, giving you complete control. This ensures that once you get your new iPhone 17, iPhone Air, or iPhone 17 Pro, you can restore your important data without worrying about accidental loss.
Key features of iOS Assistant:
Here is how to back up an iPhone to a computer using iOS Assistant:
01First, download and install the software on your computer. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer.
02When prompted on your iPhone, tap "Trust" and follow the on-screen instructions to allow the software to detect your device. Once your iPhone is recognized, the main interface will appear.
03To back up your entire iPhone, go to the "Super Toolkit" section and select "iTunes Backup & Restore". Click "Backup" and choose your iPhone from the dropdown menu. Then, click "Browse" to select a folder on your computer where the backup will be stored. Click "OK" to start the backup process.
If you only want to back up specific files, navigate to the "My Device" section and select the file types from the left panel. Preview and select the files you want to transfer, then click "Export" to save them to your computer.
Video Tutorial:
After safely backing up your data, the next crucial step is erasing your old iPhone. A factory reset isn't enough, as sensitive information can still be recovered with the right tools. That's why many iPhone review experts recommend using Coolmuster iOS Eraser.
This tool permanently deletes all personal information, photos, chat history, emails, app data, and even browsing records, making recovery impossible. Whether you plan to trade in your device for the best iPhone or give it away, this ensures your privacy remains fully protected.
Highlights of iOS Eraser:
Here is how to delete everything on an iPhone using iOS Eraser:
01Connect your iDevice to your computer using a USB cable. The program will automatically detect your device, and once connected, the main interface will appear, allowing you to begin the erasure process.
02Click the "Erase" button on the main interface, select your preferred security level (Low, Medium, or High), and confirm by clicking "OK".
03 In the confirmation box, type "delete" and click "Erase" again. When prompted to confirm the permanent deletion of your device's data, click "OK" to proceed.
04Once the process is complete, all data on your device will be permanently erased and unrecoverable. You can then safely set up your iDevice.
Video Tutorial:
Q1. Can you pre-order iPhone 17?
Yes. Pre-orders begin at 5:00 a.m. PT on 9/12. Available starting 9/19.
Q2. How to transfer data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone 17?
You can use Quick Start to transfer data by simply bringing your old iPhone close to the new one, or restore data via iCloud backup or iTunes/Finder. If you want a faster and more flexible option, you can also use third-party phone transfer tools.
Q3. How much time does it take to transfer to the new iPhone 17?
The time required depends on the amount of data and the method used. Quick Start wireless transfer takes about 30 minutes to a few hours, while wired or computer backup restores are generally faster. iCloud transfer depends on your internet speed and may take longer.
Choosing the best iPhone really depends on your needs, whether it's the balanced iPhone 17, the lightweight iPhone Air, or the powerful iPhone 17 Pro. No matter which iPhone you decide to buy, don't forget to back up your old device with Coolmuster iOS Assistant and securely erase personal data using Coolmuster iOS Eraser. This way, you can enjoy your brand-new iPhone 17 with peace of mind, knowing your data is safe and your privacy protected.
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