Key Features of the Apple iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 series is Apple’s latest flagship lineup, announced September 9, 2025, and is expected to be released on September 19. It brings upgrades across camera, display, chip, and battery — but is it enough to make you switch? Here is a human look at what the iPhone 17 really delivers. 

Key Features of the Apple iPhone 17

Design and Build Quality

The iPhone 17 feels like a refined version of what came before, and that is perfectly fine. At 177 grams and measuring 149.6 mm by 71.5 mm by 8 mm, it strikes that sweet spot between premium feel and everyday comfort. The build quality is genuinely impressive. The Ceramic Shield 2 glass front boasts Mohs level 5 hardness, which means it laughs off encounters with keys and coins that would scratch other phones.

The aluminium frame might not be as fancy as the Pro's titanium, but it works brilliantly here, keeping weight down while maintaining that solid iPhone feel. The IP68 rating can protect the device 6 metres underwater for 30 minutes. That is not just accidental drop protection; that is genuine peace of mind. Connectivity covers everything from GSM to 5G, so you will stay connected.

Display Quality 

The display is, without a doubt, one of the most significant upgrades on the iPhone 17. Apple has finally brought its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a 120 Hz ProMotion refresh rate to the base model. This change is instantly noticeable, making everything from scrolling through web pages to swiping between apps incredibly fluid and responsive. 

With a resolution of 1206 by 2622 pixels on a 6.3-inch screen, the pixel density is a sharp 460 ppi, making text and images look exceptionally crisp. The display also boasts impressive brightness, reaching 1000 nits typical, 1600 nits in high brightness mode (HBM), and a stunning 3000 nits peak. These make the device effortlessly viewable even in the brightest sunlight. HDR10 support ensures that movies and photos pop with vivid colours and deep blacks.

Camera Performance

The camera system on the iPhone 17 is a huge step up. The rear is equipped with a new dual-camera setup featuring a 48 MP wide-angle sensor and a 48 MP ultrawide sensor. The main camera has a fast f/1.6 aperture, 26 mm lens width, 1/1.56-inch lens size, and 1.0 µm pixel size. It features sensor-shift OIS, resulting in excellent low-light performance and incredibly stable shots.

The ultrawide lens has a 120-degree field of view, f/2.2 aperture, 13 mm lens width, 1/2.55-inch lens size, and 0.7 µm pixel size, which is great for capturing expansive landscapes or group photos. 

The selfie camera also gets a big upgrade to an 18 MP (f/1.9) multi-aspect lens, which includes PDAF and OIS for the first time on a front camera. This ensures your selfies are not only high-resolution but also shake-free.

For video on both rear and front sensors, the phone can record stunning 4K footage at up to 60 fps, with support for Dolby Vision HDR, which makes it a powerful tool for content creators. 

Processor Performance

At the heart of the iPhone 17 is Apple's new A19 chipset, built on a highly efficient 3nm process. The hexa-core CPU, with its two high-performance cores, delivers a significant boost in speed and efficiency, handling everything from multitasking to demanding apps with ease. 

The new 5-core Apple GPU is an absolute powerhouse, offering improved graphics rendering and performance for the most graphically intensive games. The A19 is also designed with an upgraded neural engine, which speeds up on-device AI and machine learning tasks, powering new features in iOS 26 like Apple Intelligence and enhanced photographic styles.

Gaming Performance

The combination of the A19 chip and the 120Hz ProMotion display makes the iPhone 17 an incredible gaming machine. The faster GPU ensures smooth frame rates even in the most demanding titles, while the high refresh rate provides a competitive edge in fast-paced action games. 

The improved thermal performance, thanks to a more efficient chipset and better internal design, means you can game for longer without the phone getting uncomfortably hot. Titles with high-end graphics look absolutely stunning, with sharp details, vibrant colours, and fluid motion that truly immerses you in the game.

Battery Life

Battery life on the iPhone 17 is a major improvement. It comes with a 3692 mAh Li-Ion battery that, combined with the power efficiency of the A19 chip and the adaptive refresh rate of the LTPO display, gives you all-day usage. When it is time to charge, the phone supports fast wired charging, getting you to 50% in just 20 minutes with a compatible adapter. 

It also supports 25W wireless charging via MagSafe or Qi2 (15W in the China version), reaching 50% in about 30 minutes, which is super convenient. There is even a new 4.5W reverse wired charging feature, letting you top up another device in a pinch.

Software and User Interface

The iPhone 17 runs on the latest iOS 26, which introduces a host of new features and refinements. The user interface feels even more intuitive, with deeper customisation options and seamless integration of Apple Intelligence. 

The software is optimised to take full advantage of the A19 chip, making every interaction feel snappy and responsive. From smart notifications to enhanced privacy features, iOS 26 works perfectly in sync with the hardware to deliver a smooth and secure user experience that just makes sense.

Storage Options

Apple has also upgraded the storage options for the base model, starting with 256GB of internal storage paired with 8GB of RAM. This is a welcome change from the 128GB of previous generations. There is also a 512GB option with 8GB of RAM for those who need more space for their photos, videos, and apps. The phone continues to use NVMe storage, which provides incredibly fast read and write speeds, ensuring apps launch quickly and files transfer in a flash.

Pros and Cons of iPhone 17

Pros 

- Premium aluminium frame with glass back.
- 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display, 120 Hz, Dolby Vision.
- Powerful Apple A19 chip with 256GB/512GB storage.
- Dual 48MP rear cameras and upgraded 18MP selfie camera.
- Supports satellite connectivity, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0.

Cons 

- USB-C port limited to 2.0 speeds.
- No telephoto lens option.
- Smaller 3692 mAh battery compared to rivals.

Price of iPhone 17

In Bangladesh, the iPhone 17 is expected to be priced at around BDT 100,000 to BDT 110,000 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. 

Final Words

The iPhone 17 is an impressive leap forward, especially for its display and camera. If you are using an older iPhone and want a major upgrade with all the latest features, this is a fantastic choice. However, if you are on a tighter budget or already have a recent model, you might want to hold on a little longer.