Weird, I’ve probably seen no less than 20 articles and reviews across sources that shout about how the 17 is the phone to get this year if bang for the buck is your priority, missing out on basically nothing compared to the air and pro for normal users
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iPhone 17 No love for the base model?
- Thread starter littlepud
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I heard it was confirmed to be the X80. But I guess that depends on your definition of the word “confirmed” because I think it came from an X post
Confirmed X80 via teardown. It's in the Modem Merged thread.
Same. It's being praised everywhere as THE iPhone this year all over the place. But, welcome to the modern internet. Where the answer to the question: "Why aren't we hearing anything about [insert topic here]?" Is because everyone generally only has positive things to say about it. 🙃
I personally think the base 17 is the best value for money this year 👍🏻 almost went for it but chose 17 Pro in the end and very happy with this beautiful phone 🤗
iPhone 17 - the best value for money
iPhone 17 Pro/Max - top performance
iPhone Air - the most premium
Because most online reviews favor enthusiasts and techies. If you read mainstream publications like New York Times, Washington Post, CNET, CNN, they all recommend iPhone 17 base for most people.
Online sentiment is entirely different from the ground. Online many people praise the Air, but walk into an Apple Store and ask any rep, they'll tell you it's slowest selling device with plenty of stock.
It’s more interesting than the Air 😉
Said no one ever…
But also the most luxurious and the most premium looking.
I have it in Mist Blue and love it. Although I didn't think the .2 inch difference compared to the 16 would make a difference but now it's just a smidge too big to fit comfortably in my pants pockets.
Go to a few Apple Stores and you'd be surprised how other people actually see the Air.
I've seen people chatting with their friends:
- "This is like half an iPhone with one camera."
- "I read online it has the worse battery life."
- "It looks kinda boring. Why is it $999?"
I disagree. I’ve created a poll - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/whats-the-most-premium-looking-new-iphone.2467627/
It’s interesting as the 17 has the same battery performance as the air (the non-esim models anyway).
I am not sure where you are reading, but every air thread I have read has someone touting the wonders of the base 17 and how anyone would be stupid to waste the money on the air when the 17 is better. Likewise, any thread on the pro has someone saying the base fits their needs. Is it called out as love in a title? Nope. but hey, it is the base, how excited can one get? congrats on your new phone.
I agree that "the iPhone 17 has the most compelling overall package among base models in recent memory." IMO it is a far better choice than the Air for many buyers, but Apple and many others try to push buyers to the Air.
I was waiting at an Apple Store and next to me was an elderly man being assisted by a young Apple sales person. She kept aggressively pushing him toward the Air, when his described needs would obviously be far better served by the less expensive base iPhone 17.
For some value of “premium”. The shiny edges remind me of cheap “bling” products from the 90s.