The Base iPhone 17 Is The One to Get This Year!

sauce2k on 11/09/2025 - 15:49
Last edited 11/09/2025 - 15:50

Would love everyone's thought on this.

I've never had issues picking up Pro/Pro Max until this year. I am genuinely shocked how much they have packed into the base model.

Curious what the strategy is for Apple, is it to stop people flying to the Fold 7 by introducing ProMotion 120hz…the refresh rate is what kept so many people from buying the base model in the past.

I currently hold 14 Pro, and I was super keen on getting the Pro Max until I saw the base 17. I do take a lot of photos but I rarely use the zoom past 2x…the Pro/Pro Max really lost me at all the jargons, which seems like its made for filmmakers and content creators (which I'm happy that the pro series are now really PRO).

Mobile Apple Mobile Phone

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/09/2025 - 15:51
    +2

    I am thinking max for the first time actually

    1. Because it’s available in ozbargain orange

    2. I thought it would be nice to have a bigger screen that might make emergency rdp to my computers for work a bit easier (it’s kind of been ok with the 14 pro in currently using). I had also been thinking to get an iPad mini to replace my iPad Pro m1. This would kind of tick both boxes.

    3. All day battery life better for my 19 hours a day doom scrolling

    Pro/Pro Max really lost me at all the jargons, which seems like its made for filmmakers and content creators…

    You’re not wrong. It is exactly for that.

    • sauce2k on 11/09/2025 - 15:57

      fair points, especially the first one haha..

      but yeh to me if I don't understand all the techs introduced in the pro/pro max models, it's very likely I won't use it…

      Another thing for me is because of the pricing, if say the Fold comes out next year or something special comes out for the 20th year anniversary in 2027, I will feel less guilty upgrading because of the money I put in for the base model (still quite a bit but significantly cheaper than the Pro Max).

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/09/2025 - 16:04
        +2

        I figure if Apple really do a fold next year I’d probably be best off waiting for the generation 2 or 3 until they iron out the issues.

        • sauce2k on 11/09/2025 - 16:29

          Yeh this is a good point also actually..hmmmm..didn't really think about this. My thought is Apple is always behind on these things but once they decide to release them, it's usually best in the business.

          • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/09/2025 - 16:38

            @sauce2k: Apple can try all they want to workshop/beta test but I feel like they still gonna face issues at least for gen 1 fold - sometimes they just can’t predict how actual people will use/treat their product

            • sauce2k on 11/09/2025 - 16:50

              @Jimothy Wongingtons: Have they failed any Gen1 products in the past? The only one I could think of is the mini..lol like nobody bought that crap

              • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/09/2025 - 17:10
                +1

                @sauce2k: Nah I meant gen 1 fold - look at Samsung and how many iterations on fold line until they got it semi reliable.

              • The-Real Team Doge on 11/09/2025 - 19:01

                @sauce2k: Maybe the Vision Pro in that regard? I haven't heard much since its debut launch.

    • HairyChickens on 11/09/2025 - 16:25
      +3

      Because it’s available in ozbargain orange

      Tempted to get one solely for this reason.

    • Playboi Carti on 12/09/2025 - 10:32

      out of curiosity, what app/s do you use for RDP?

  • Nillionaire on 11/09/2025 - 16:03

    You were considering the Pro Max until you saw the base? What made you consider the Pro Max over the Pro initially? Do you not have a size preference?

    • sauce2k on 11/09/2025 - 16:29

      I went from 12 Pro Max (PM) to 14 Pro because the 12 was too heavy for me…I went into the store the other day to check out the 16 PM and it's surprisingly light hence why I was set to get the 17PM.

      No size preference really.

      • Harshmellow on 12/09/2025 - 10:49
        +1

        12PM = 228g
        16PM = 227g

        Not noticeable

  • Nillionaire on 11/09/2025 - 16:06

    My sales predictions for this year:

    • 1) iPhone Air
    • 2) iPhone 17 Pro Max
    • 3) Phone 17
    • 4) iPhone 17 Pro
    • Menzoberranzan on 11/09/2025 - 20:57

      I suspect the 17 base model will see a jump in sales. This is one of the first years where there is less of an incentive to go for the Pro models unless you're actually intending to professionally film.

      I normally always go for the Pro models but this time I am struggling to find a reason besides the 3rd telephoto camera and vapour chamber additions.

  • snapper17 on 11/09/2025 - 16:18

    Im usually a pro max buyer but that was mainly for the size of the screen. I never cared about the camera. The screen was good the battery lasted ages and it had the pro chip. Also I needed more then 128gb.
    However this time im finding it hard to justify the extra $800. The base has everything I need. Sure the battery may not last as long but after 2 years with the pro 15 I find battery doesnt last more then 6-7 hours anyway.
    I end up losing about $1000 on the value.
    With the base model if you sell just befre the new one comes out and you buy with 10% off you will only pay about 250 to get the new model.

    I used to get apple care as the replacement was so expensive on the pro but hardly ever needed it. In the past apple swapped faulty devices more easily. With my 15 pro max they refused to even though they can see the battery doesnt last long. I was willing to pay the service fee to swap for a refurb they refused. In the past they swapped my 13 pro max no problem for free even though I agreed to pay a service fee.

    Thier tech support has also gone down hill. So for all these reasons and more im going with the base without apple care

    • Nillionaire on 11/09/2025 - 16:29

      Im usually a pro max buyer but that was mainly for the size of the screen

      Then why not iPhone Plus in past years?

      • snapper17 on 11/09/2025 - 20:56

        i didnt have any iphone 14. the other reason was the pro chip and better battery performance. The 15 pro was the first time I was underwealmed with the battery and performance
        The 15 plus didnt have AI either which at thatg time I thought would be way more useful but that was another let down. Also /i had some hopes for the use of the lidar sensor but even today there is no real use

    • Stealtho on 11/09/2025 - 18:06

      Never bother with applescare

    • LanceVance on 11/09/2025 - 21:49
      +1

      Titanium

        • LanceVance on 12/09/2025 - 09:58
          +1

          You referred to it being 5mm thick, which is only relevant to the Air and then mentioned aluminium which is wrong.

            • LanceVance on 12/09/2025 - 17:26
              +1

              @BoltThrower: @BoltThrower - "Titanium frame. A Grade 5 titanium frame built with 80 per cent recycled titanium makes iPhone Air as strong as it is stunning."

              Golf clap for being wrong again?

                • LanceVance on 12/09/2025 - 20:57
                  +1

                  @BoltThrower: Lol you said 5mm, I didn't even care or notice the missing 0.6mm but you're clearly referring to the Air as the base model is 7.95mm thick. It's just entertainment for me from start to finish as you keep lurching from one incorrect point to another. You're weren't right at any point, but take comfort in the fact that at least to me, you were funny.
                  Have a good weekend. :D

                  • BoltThrower on 12/09/2025 - 21:19

                    @LanceVance: Yep, I was wrong about the thickness when talking about the Base model. Your single word Titanium comment was probably trying to talk about the air, thinking I meant the air. So we're talking about two different phones. Clearly you know more $2000 laptop-priced blue bubble phones than I do.
                    I'd rather buy a $200 phone (It's basically a Whatsapp machine for me) , an iPad and still have $1000 leftover to put towards a Zenbook I have my eye on.
                    Have a good weekend.

  • Zippy7 on 11/09/2025 - 17:48

    Agree that the gap between the non-pro and the pro is getting smaller.
    There were bigger gaps between performance (15pro had a later gen chip A17pro vs A16)
    Now it seems the triple camera is the last main differentiator, and I'm not sure I need it that badly now.
    For the 512Gb, its $1799 vs $2399
    That's $600 I can save towards the next year's upgrade, or upgrading Apple Watch, or Airpods3…

    • Menzoberranzan on 11/09/2025 - 20:59

      I know right. I could get the 17 Pro Max or I could get the base 17 and meet 90% of my requirements then use the left over for the new AirPods 3 or some other toy. Or even roll it over into the next iPhone fund lol

  • Stealtho on 11/09/2025 - 18:03

    I’ve had 15 max and 16 max, now 16 pro. Prefer the smaller phone and mini 7 combo. Def would get the base 17 if was buying.

  • Far Cough on 11/09/2025 - 18:03

    orange only
    the base 17's are crap colours, the 16 had the best colours the pink and blue

    • Stealtho on 11/09/2025 - 18:07

      Cough, least it has black, not everyone wants a fairy floss colour lol

    • 87percent on 11/09/2025 - 18:35

      Or put it in a case

    • snapper17 on 11/09/2025 - 21:00

      how often do you look at the back of the phone?
      I just buy cases that suit what I like at the time

      • Far Cough on 11/09/2025 - 21:05

        mine are naked

  • neoleo on 11/09/2025 - 23:39

    ProMotion 120hz

    If you are not a gamer or rarely play heavy games, it's better to choose lower frequency like 60 Hz, so longer battery life. Even set 4G only, not 5G can help the battery last longer. In my experience, 4G is still good for me in most of the time and situations.

    Since you don't really need zoom more than 2x, the base iphone 17 is still good for you.

    I think many people prefer Pro Max because of the camera, screen size and battery life.

    If you really choose the base iphone 17, maybe try to choose 4G only and see if the data speed is still good enough for you or not, so the battery will last even longer.

    Other differences are the weight and the speed to copy files through the cable. Light weight is a plus for the base iphone 17. Other people that prefer bigger screen may prefer Pro Max but it's heavy …

    • sauce2k on 11/09/2025 - 23:58

      I don't know why people are complaining about USB2…vast majority of people will never transfer files from their phone to a PC….handy yes, but honestly I don't see it being useful.

      I always carry a camera with me when travelling overseas, so the optical zoom etc doesn't impact me too much. It's nice to have.

      Battery life, my guess is even if you got the Pro Max people will still carry a powerbank when travelling overseas (just in case)..I consider myself as medium-high power user and I will definitely carry a juice pack no matter 17/pro/pro max. :)

      I can't survive on 4G haha…too used to 5G now…

      • neoleo on 12/09/2025 - 00:04

        I can't survive on 4G haha…too used to 5G now…

        It depends which telco/mvno do you use? If there's data speed limit like 100 Mbps for example, it doesn't matter whether it's 4G or 5G …

        I think 4G has better coverage and stronger phone signal because there are many more 4G Base Tower Stations than 5G Base Tower Stations.

        • sauce2k on 12/09/2025 - 00:54

          I’ve been with Telstra for ages.. tried Vodafone lasted 2 days 😂

  • fishka2 on 12/09/2025 - 07:45

    What about 17 Air? Thoughts on cons and pros?

    • sauce2k on 12/09/2025 - 08:46

      The way they packed all that stuff in the Air makes me wonder how quickly the phone heats up..especially in Aus summer.

      There is no way the phone runs all day battery life as claimed by Apple. The new slim juice pack is great but defeats the purpose of the phone being slim lol

      It's definitely a cool to have, like if you are not a power user then why not!

  • figjamone on 12/09/2025 - 08:22

    A 17 pro/max would be my go to because of the lack of tech since i have a 11 pro max the 16 didnt come with AI so never would have bought one. The Z fold you should check the tech and compare with the ultra the tech is so much better longer battery ect. So if apple comes out with a fold i would have to compare it to a flat pro/ max to see if it was worth the money. Then wait 2-3 years to see if they iron out any problems that will come with a fold.

    • sauce2k on 12/09/2025 - 14:45

      my rationale is buy the cheaper base model then I will feel less guilty about spending more in the short term (1-2 years) when the new fold comes out. My guess is they will do something special for 20th anniversary. They released iPhone X during 10th anniversary and it was a complete new design.

  • uccoffee on 12/09/2025 - 14:59

    where is the bargain discussion ? Finished reading all the comments, and there’s absolutely no substance in it

  • drewbytes on 12/09/2025 - 18:24

    17 Pro Max for the 8x optical zoom on the camera.

    • sauce2k on 12/09/2025 - 22:42
      -1

      Sorry to break it to you but the 8x is not actually optical zoom.

      • drewbytes on 13/09/2025 - 11:12
        -1

        Yes it is, 8x optical unless you know better than Apple who have that listed on their website?

        • sauce2k on 13/09/2025 - 12:05
          -1

          😭 bro, it’s cropped from the 48mp, not a true optical , but I don’t expect you know what that means.

  • yummypinacolada on 13/09/2025 - 02:04

    Yes, base iphone 17 give best value for money for iphone right now, but I do think PRO model will still be as popular as before. Most Apple users I know don't know(or care) what they are getting, they usually just choose the most expensive model because its "better"

  • PefDef on 13/09/2025 - 11:16

    I have a 13 pro and but bothered by battery life and camera. Now not sure if the 17 is enough or if I still want the pro. The difference isn’t that big anymore and not sure if it can justify $600 difference

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