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iPhone 17 No love for the base model?

Tsepz said:
In terms of future-proofing I mean the 17 base should get at least 5-6years of iOS updates if not more.

The 12GB of RAM in the Pro models is likely for some Camera features along with future Apple Intelligence stuff.

The 11 Pro Max with 4GB RAM got iOS 26, that is now a 6 year old iPhone.

I get the feeling Apple will stick to 12GB RAM for a few years to come, I would be surprised if we see 16GB RAM before the 2028 Pro iPhones.

My 15 Pro Max has 8GB RAM while my 17 Pro Max has 12GB RAM, both keep apps for a pretty long time in RAM (unless the app is developed to immediately cache when I leave it), so I am not seeing a big difference there.
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If Apple keep 8Gb for regular 17, 18, these devices will not capable to run AI, which is dilemma due most users will not able to run AI.
 
Tsepz said:
In terms of future-proofing I mean the 17 base should get at least 5-6years of iOS updates if not more.

The 12GB of RAM in the Pro models is likely for some Camera features along with future Apple Intelligence stuff.

The 11 Pro Max with 4GB RAM got iOS 26, that is now a 6 year old iPhone.

I get the feeling Apple will stick to 12GB RAM for a few years to come, I would be surprised if we see 16GB RAM before the 2028 Pro iPhones.

My 15 Pro Max has 8GB RAM while my 17 Pro Max has 12GB RAM, both keep apps for a pretty long time in RAM (unless the app is developed to immediately cache when I leave it), so I am not seeing a big difference there.
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When I got the XS, I chose it over the other models because it was the most future-proof. Also the decision went for more powerful iPad.

That's what wonder if I stand and make the right choice on a regular 17.

We don't know what Apple Intelligence will be like, whether we 'll want it, and how demanding/ram-requriments it will be.
 
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Kaelbron said:
When I got the XS, I chose it over the other models because it was the most future-proof. Also the decision went for more powerful iPad.

That's what wonder if I stand and make the right choice on a regular 17.

We don't know what Apple Intelligence will be like, whether we 'll want it, and how demanding/ram-requriments it will be.
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I plan on upgrading on the iPhone's 20th anniversary so I'm not too bothered with future proofing.

Honestly though, I doubt 8GB vs 12GB RAM would pose that much of an issue. Then again, I don't use my phone much preferring the iPad mini most of the time. Frankly, I'm happy enough with the 8GB RAM on the iPad mini 7 instead of 4GB on the mini 6. Now 4 GB was just awful with reloads galore.
 
rui no onna said:
I plan on upgrading on the iPhone's 20th anniversary so I'm not too bothered with future proofing.

Honestly though, I doubt 8GB vs 12GB RAM would pose that much of an issue. Then again, I don't use my phone much preferring the iPad mini most of the time. Frankly, I'm happy enough with the 8GB RAM on the iPad mini 7 instead of 4GB on the mini 6. Now 4 GB was just awful with reloads galore.
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8Gb vs 12Gb should be a non-issue
 
I am in the market for a new phone to replace my 3 year old PM14. I played a bit with the base 17 and Air, both very nice but I am going with the base because of the better battery and cameras. The base seems the sweet spot in terms of size and weight too. It is a very nice phone.
 
After having a few iPhones from last years launch, I’ve settled with and really enjoying the base model 17 in the nice sage colour ❤️

IMG_6114.jpeg
 
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My friend who had a se gen 2 upgraded to the base. Talk about an upgrade. And my sister though upgraded from a 12 pro max to a 17 pro. I tried to talk her to the base but she wouldn’t have it. I feel envious of how the jump from their current phoned to their new phone.
 
James6s said:
After having a few iPhones from last years launch, I’ve settled with and really enjoying the base model 17 in the nice sage colour ❤️
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Nice! I'm still loving mine, too. A big step up from the 11 it replaced.

I use it caseless mainly, but have a cheap ESR clear case for times I think there's a chance it'll get scratched or dropped.
 
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adrianlondon said:
Nice! I'm still loving mine, too. A big step up from the 11 it replaced.

I use it caseless mainly, but have a cheap ESR clear case for times I think there's a chance it'll get scratched or dropped.
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That is a big 6 generation step up! You’ll have seen some huge improvements 😃

Same here, I’ve got a clear ESR case but mainly using it naked.
 
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littlepud said:
I’m seeing relatively little discussion (here and elsewhere online) about the base model iPhone 17.

Seems like all of the hype and interest are around the Pros and the Air, even though the iPhone 17 has the most compelling overall package among base models in recent memory.
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It has to please you who buys it, not others.
 
I'm torn on turning in my 15 Pro and going for a base 17 or just keeping it for the next 3 years. I'm just not sure. The base finally has everything I would really need/want to keep from the 15 Pro.
 
Andy_2341 said:
I'm torn on turning in my 15 Pro and going for a base 17 or just keeping it for the next 3 years. I'm just not sure. The base finally has everything I would really need/want to keep from the 15 Pro.
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If you change the battery, your 15 Pro will work like new for next couple years and be happy with it. If you get the base 17 you will get a lot of upgrades for sure, and also a lighter device with slightly larger and brighter screen. Only real downside is losing telephoto camera, slow USB transfer speeds and aluminium frame.
 
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snipr125 said:
If you change the battery, your 15 Pro will work like new for next couple years and be happy with it. If you get the base 17 you will get a lot of upgrades for sure, and also a lighter device with slightly larger and brighter screen. Only real downside is losing telephoto camera, slow USB transfer speeds and aluminium frame.
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I'm not sure how much impact the telephoto camera brings. I don't need the titanium cause it stays in a case and all my other Apple products are aluminum. USB transfer speeds were one reason I used to justify upgrading from my SE3, but I've found I don't really need or use them like I thought. Sage is looking really good too. Pretty close basically.
 
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I am staying with my 16 Pro but the base 17 is compelling for most including myself if I were decide to upgrade. The other day I was in Best Buy to pick up a charger for my wife’s iPhone and I was looking at the display of the 17 base versus the 17 Pros and a associate there told me that the base had a 60 Hz display on it. I kind of looked funny at him and said since when did a 60 Hz display have the always on display. I then told actually the base 17 has a 120 Hz display he looked it up and was kind of embarrassed and oh you are right. I think it’s a good or even great value for a premium phone.
 
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snipr125 said:
If you change the battery, your 15 Pro will work like new for next couple years and be happy with it. If you get the base 17 you will get a lot of upgrades for sure, and also a lighter device with slightly larger and brighter screen.
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New iPhone 15 Pro battery life isn't as good as new iPhone 17 though and in the US, you can probably get the 17 (or even 17 Pro) for free after 15 Pro trade-in with postpaid plans.

Mind, the slightly smaller size of the 15 Pro feels better in hand than the 17 for me.
 
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littlepud said:
I’m seeing relatively little discussion (here and elsewhere online) about the base model iPhone 17.

Seems like all of the hype and interest are around the Pros and the Air, even though the iPhone 17 has the most compelling overall package among base models in recent memory.
Click to expand...
The base 17s are gimped with only 8 Gb RAM, while 17 pro and air both have 12. This will bite hard in the near future.
 
rui no onna said:
New iPhone 15 Pro battery life isn't as good as new iPhone 17 though and in the US, you can probably get the 17 (or even 17 Pro) for free after 15 Pro trade-in with postpaid plans.

Mind, the slightly smaller size of the 15 Pro feels better in hand than the 17 for me.
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The size is another thing. I need to go to an Apple store honestly
 
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For me, the idea of having the "regular iphone" would be boring. I know that's a bit strange coming from someone who uses the 16e currently, but I like the idea of using something "different".
 
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