Apple iPhone 17 Review: The Down-to-Earth iPhone Gets Even Better with iOS 27

Dimitris Schoen

Sep 17

8 min read

Apple iPhone 17 Review: The Sensible iPhone Gets Even Better with iOS 27

By Basket | Tech Review

A more down-to-earth approach to the iPhone

Today at Basket, we’re taking a different approach. Rather than reviewing the latest iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max, we’re turning our attention to a more affordable option: the Apple iPhone 17, last year’s mainstream iPhone and a compelling alternative for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a flagship.

Powered by Apple’s A19 processor, our review unit comes with 256GB of storage and a 6.3-inch ProMotion display. This marks an important step for Apple’s standard iPhone lineup, bringing a smoother, high-refresh-rate experience to a model that sits below the Pro range. (Apple iPhone 17 256GB Sage (AT&T), 2026)

The camera system includes two rear cameras and a front-facing selfie camera, while Face ID handles biometric security. On paper, the iPhone 17 competes with Android alternatives such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 11, which occupy a similar price bracket. (Google Pixel 11 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26: Which AI phone should you buy?, 2026)

Android competitors may offer larger displays or more camera versatility, especially with dedicated ultra-wide and periscope zoom lenses. However, Apple’s strengths remain familiar: a smooth iOS experience, long-term software support, and seamless integration with the wider Apple ecosystem.

At Basket, we put the iPhone 17 through its paces with iOS 27. The latest software brings a range of new features, including an upgraded Siri and additional AI-powered tools. Among the features that caught our attention were the AI capabilities for reframing and extending images. In our experience, these additions worked impressively well.

But how does the iPhone 17 perform as an everyday companion? And does it still make sense when more expensive Pro models are competing for your attention?

Design and display: Familiar Apple, with a smoother experience

The iPhone 17 doesn’t attempt to reinvent Apple’s design language, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Its appearance evolves from the iPhone 16, retaining the understated, polished aesthetic synonymous with Apple products. The colour choice adds personality, but the overall design remains unmistakably an iPhone.

Apple’s design philosophy has evolved over the years, yet the emphasis on simplicity, recognisable styling, and a cohesive user experience remains central to the brand.

The 6.3-inch display is bright, crisp, and comfortable to use. While it doesn’t reach the same level of visual impact as the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max, it remains more than capable for everyday tasks, including browsing, watching videos, and scrolling through social media.

The addition of ProMotion is particularly welcome. The smoother refresh rate makes scrolling and navigating the interface feel more fluid, bringing an experience previously associated with Apple’s Pro models to a more accessible device.

The iPhone 17 may not be the flashiest smartphone on the market, but its manageable size, premium construction, and familiar design make it an appealing everyday device.

Performance and cameras: More than enough for everyday life

With the A19 processor at its heart, the iPhone 17 has the hardware to deliver a responsive experience across everyday applications and more demanding tasks.

During our time with the device, iOS 27 felt fast and responsive, with the phone handling our daily activities without making us feel that we needed a more expensive Pro model.

Photography is another area where the iPhone 17 makes a strong impression.

Its dual-camera system captures excellent photographs, offering the kind of image quality that makes the phone suitable for everything from everyday snapshots to more serious creative work. While dedicated zoom hardware can give some Android competitors greater flexibility, the iPhone 17 remains a capable photography companion.

Video is especially strong. Footage looks impressive, and the phone is a compelling option for people who regularly capture video for social media, personal projects, or professional use.

For most users, the iPhone 17’s camera system offers plenty of creative freedom without the extra cost of a Pro model.

Battery life: A dependable daily companion

Battery life is one of the most important considerations when choosing a smartphone, and the iPhone 17 performed well in our testing.

In our Basket tests, we achieved approximately six to seven hours of screen-on time on a single charge, with a mixture of web browsing, video streaming, music playback, and some gaming. (Clover, 2025)

With lighter use, including calls, messaging, and social media, the phone comfortably lasted through the day and into the evening. (Clover, 2025)

Naturally, battery performance will vary depending on screen brightness, network conditions, applications, and individual usage habits. Nevertheless, our experience suggests that the iPhone 17 offers dependable battery life for everyday use.

It may not be the endurance champion of the smartphone world, but it proved capable of keeping up with our daily routine.

iOS 27: A surprisingly smooth update

At Basket, major software updates have sometimes arrived with unwelcome surprises, including unexpected battery drain, freezing, or inconsistent performance.

Our experience with iOS 27 on the iPhone 17 was considerably more positive.

We found the software responsive, with everyday tasks feeling faster and more efficient. Although our testing was limited to the iPhone, the overall experience left us pleasantly surprised.

There are several additions worth highlighting.

Interactive Home Screen widgets let users perform certain tasks, such as responding to messages or checking off reminders, without opening the full app. It’s a small change that can make everyday interactions more convenient.

The enhanced Control Centre offers additional customisation options, making frequently used settings easier to access and organise.

Photos also introduces improved automatic organisation, helping users sort and find pictures by people, places, and events. For anyone with a substantial photo library, this could prove particularly useful.

Privacy Checkup adds another practical feature, letting users review app permissions and adjust privacy settings more easily. (Make your iPhone your own, 2024)

Siri and AI: Apple makes progress

Siri deserves particular attention.

We’re not heavy Siri users at Basket, so we approached the updated assistant with curiosity rather than high expectations. Nevertheless, the improvements were noticeable, and the experience felt more capable and useful than before.

Apple’s AI enhancements also bring new possibilities to everyday tasks, including image editing and other software-based features.

Whether these improvements will fundamentally change how people use their iPhones remains to be seen. For users who rely on voice assistants daily, however, the updated Siri may be a particularly meaningful development.

We also appreciate Apple’s continued attention to family-oriented features. We didn’t have the opportunity to test the new parental controls in iOS 27, as our review team couldn’t evaluate them in a family setting. Still, features designed to help parents manage their children’s digital experiences are a welcome area of development.

iPhone 17 vs. Android: Two different approaches

It would be unfair to review the iPhone 17 without acknowledging the competition.

Android smartphones frequently offer compelling hardware for the money, including larger displays, more versatile camera systems, and extensive customisation options. Depending on the device, buyers may also find features that aren’t available on Apple’s standard iPhone.

The iPhone 17 takes a different approach.

Apple’s emphasis is on a cohesive experience: hardware, software, services, and accessories designed to work together. For people who value simplicity and prefer a phone that works smoothly straight out of the box, that approach can be appealing.

Android, meanwhile, offers a broader range of devices and software experiences, with considerable flexibility for users who enjoy customising their phones.

Neither approach is universally right for everyone. The choice depends on what you value most in a smartphone.

Security is another important consideration. Apple’s integrated approach and long-term software support are part of the iPhone’s appeal, but no smartphone is completely immune to security or privacy risks. Users should keep their devices updated, review app permissions, and take sensible precautions when browsing or installing software.

Additional security tools, including VPNs, may be useful in particular situations, but they serve different purposes and aren’t a substitute for good security practices. (iPhone 17 will ship with a new memory feature designed to fight spyware - here's how it works, 2024)

Price and value: A more accessible way into the Apple ecosystem

In Switzerland, the iPhone 17 is priced at approximately CHF 899 for the configuration discussed in this review.

That places it firmly in the premium smartphone category, even if it sits below Apple’s Pro models.

For consumers who want an iPhone without committing to the cost of an iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max, the iPhone 17 represents a more measured purchase. Depending on the available offers, a monthly mobile subscription could also make the cost easier to manage.

Those looking to spend even less can consider the iPhone 17e, which starts at approximately CHF 699 according to the pricing referenced for this review. Its single rear camera makes it a simpler proposition, but it may be sufficient for people who prioritise everyday functionality over photographic versatility. (Staff, 2026)

Of course, Android alternatives deserve consideration at this price. Depending on the model and current promotions, buyers may get more hardware for a similar price.

The iPhone 17’s value therefore depends not only on its specifications, but also on how much you appreciate Apple’s software, ecosystem, and approach to smartphone design.

The Basket verdict

The iPhone 17 is a capable, polished, and pleasantly down-to-earth smartphone.

It doesn’t have the visual drama of Apple’s Pro models, nor does it attempt to compete on every hardware specification. Instead, it delivers a balanced experience built around a bright 6.3-inch display, smooth ProMotion performance, a capable A19 processor, excellent cameras, and dependable battery life.

Its manageable size is another advantage. Not everyone wants a large, expensive flagship, and the iPhone 17 offers a more compact alternative that remains powerful enough for everyday tasks.

iOS 27 adds further appeal. Our experience with the update was positive, with responsive performance and useful additions to the interface, photography tools, and privacy features.

Software support is also an important part of the purchasing decision. Apple’s long-term update commitment can help keep the device secure and introduce new features over time. Buyers should check the applicable support policy and any current update commitments before deciding.

At CHF 899, the iPhone 17 isn’t inexpensive, and Android competitors may offer more hardware for the same money. But if you prefer Apple’s software experience, appreciate its ecosystem, and want a capable iPhone without paying for the Pro range, it deserves serious consideration.

For those on a tighter budget, the iPhone 17e is another option worth exploring.

Our conclusion at Basket? The iPhone 17 is a solid, well-rounded smartphone that gets the essentials right. It may not be the most extravagant iPhone, but that is precisely what makes it appealing.

Sometimes, the smartest smartphone purchase isn’t the most expensive one. It’s the one that gives you what you actually need.

Basket — Technology, tested for everyday life.

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