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There are plenty of dedicated iPhone users like myself who are loyal to base model iPhones. When I upgrade my iPhone every two or so years, I don’t bother with the Pro variations.
My position is that as the base model iPhones become 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 a scary amount of scrolling through TikTok.
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If you plan to upgrade to a new iPhone but wonder if the Pro models are too advanced for your everyday needs, the base model has a few Pro-level features that even the most casual user can appreciate.
Here are a few 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 too.
1. Pro-level display
One of the base model iPhone 17’s most “Pro” features is its new upgraded display. Compared to the iPhone 16 — and all previous standard generations before it — the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro have the exact same display specifications.
The base model iPhone 17 receives an upgraded 6.3-inch display, a 120Hz refresh rate, an always-on display, 2,622 x 1,206 pixel resolution, and 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness. All of these specs are upgrades over the iPhone 16. Previously, a larger display, faster refresh rate, and always-on display were reserved for Pro models only.
Also: T-Mobile will give you a free iPhone 17 Pro – here’s how to get yours
To a casual iPhone user, these display specs may not seem integral enough to the user experience to pay extra money for, and to me, they’re not. But including them in the base model phone makes them a nice-to-have, and I’m excited about that.
2. Upgraded camera system
The iPhone 17 sports an 18MP Center Stage front camera. This is the first major front camera upgrade 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 back camera has four times the resolution of the iPhone 16’s, and the Center Stage front camera’s square shape allows for more pixels, flexible photo framing, stabilization, and a wider field of view.
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The new camera uses AI to expand the camera’s field of view, so you can take photos in landscape while keeping the phone vertical.
If you use your iPhone camera for everyday photo and video taking, the iPhone 17’s camera system will be more than enough. However, if you plan to shoot professional-grade photos and videos, the base model iPhones lack the additional optical zoom, ProRAW file format, and other Pro-level photo and video polishing capabilities found in the iPhone 17 Pro.
3. More customization options
The iPhone 17’s storage configurations are improved from last year’s models; it now begins with 256GB of internal storage at the same $799 entry price. More advanced features and more robust iOS updates require more onboard storage, so it’s a plus for users who don’t want to pay more to upgrade the base model’s storage or rely solely on iCloud.
Also: Why I’m breaking the 5-year iPhone upgrade cycle – and I’m not alone
Additionally, the base model iPhone 17 offers more, and arguably better, color options than the Pro models. The base model lineup consists of five colors: Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, and Black, while the Pro models come in three colors: Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver.
ZDNET’s buying advice
There’s a $300 price increase from a 265GB iPhone 17 and a 256GB iPhone 17 Pro. However, if your phone usage demands more than the 512GB limit for 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 share the same display specs, so if you were eyeing a Pro model specifically for a larger display or faster refresh rate, the iPhone 17 can get the job done. For casual use — texting, calling, navigation, web surfing, YouTube-ing, and social media scrolling — the iPhone 17 will do fine for most people, and its upgraded battery capacity over the entire iPhone 16 family helps with that.
Greater differences lie in the two phones’ camera systems and internal processors, as the iPhone 17 Pro has an upgraded A19 Pro chip. The iPhone 17 Pro also features an additional rear 48MP Fusion Telephoto lens, more optical zoom settings, and ProRAW image file compatibility. The upgraded camera gives the iPhone 17 Pro more advanced photography and videography capabilities, making it suitable for content creators and professionals.
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