I have been using the iPhone 17 Pro since its release and it got me to thinking- is iPhone 17 actually the better option for most people?
For everyday use, most people want a phone that works. Something to send messages, consuming content and taking decent photos. So I decided to look at the iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro to see which is actually make the most sense for the everyday user.
To keep things simple, I’m focusing on the areas that actually matter in real life:
- Display and Overall Design
- Day to Day Performance
- Battery Life
- Camera
- Price
With that said, let’s dive in.
Display & Overall Design:
One of the biggest frustrations with non-Pro iPhones in the past was the lack of a 120Hz refresh rate. They were stuck at 60Hz — but not anymore. With the iPhone 17, you now get the same 120Hz refresh rate as its Pro sibling.
When it comes to the display itself, there’s no real difference. Both phones use the same Super Retina XDR display, so visually, you’re getting the same experience day to day.
The main design differences are more subtle. The standard iPhone 17 doesn’t use the unibody aluminium frame, and it doesn’t have Ceramic Shield on the back of the phone — which, realistically, most people won’t care about
One area where the iPhone 17 actually wins is colour choice. You get a much more interesting selection:
- Lavender
- Sage
- Mist Blue
- White
- Black
Whereas the Pro models are limited to more muted finishes (with the exception of Cosmic Orange):
- Cosmic Orange
- Deep Blue
- Silver
Day to Day Performance:
The iPhone 17 Pro runs the A19 Pro chip, while the iPhone 17 uses the standard A19 chip — but are you really going to notice the difference?
For everyday users, I’d confidently say no.
The A19 chip is more than powerful enough for tasks like messaging, browsing, streaming, and general app use. Unless you’re gaming heavily or using your phone for content creation, the difference in performance simply won’t show up in everyday life.
Battery Life:
According to Apple, the iPhone 17 offers up to 30 hours of video playback, compared to 31 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro.
In everyday terms, that difference is negligible. Battery capacity also varies slightly depending on region, particularly where physical SIM cards are still used:
- iPhone 17: 3,692 mAh
- iPhone 17 Pro: approx. 4,252 mAh (eSIM) or 3,988 mAh
The takeaway here is simple: the iPhone 17 delivers solid, all-day battery life. If battery life is your absolute top priority, the Pro Max is the better choice — but for most people, the standard 17 is more than enough.
Camera:
This is where the difference between the two phones becomes more noticeable.
That said, the iPhone 17 still has an excellent camera setup that will easily meet the needs of most users. The Pro camera system is clearly aimed at content creators and photography enthusiasts.
The iPhone 17 features a 48MP main camera and an ultra-wide lens but misses out on the telephoto lens. As a result, you don’t get access to some Pro-only features, including:
- ProRAW
- 4x and 8x optical zoom
- ProRes RAW
- ProRes video recording
- Apple Log 2
- Studio-quality four-mic array
These are powerful tools — but realistically, they’re only essential if you know you’ll use them.
For everyday photos of family, friends and life in general, the iPhone 17 will still deliver excellent results.
The front camera experience is almost identical on both models, with the only real omission being ProRes video recording. So if you love a selfie, both phones have you covered.
For everyday use, I’ve found that accessories often make more difference than camera specs — especially things like MagSafe power banks that keep your phone topped up when you’re out and about.
Price:
This is where the iPhone 17 really stands out.
With a starting price of £799, it’s £300 cheaper than the iPhone 17 Pro, which starts at £1,099.
In reality, you’re still getting around 90% (if not more) of the same overall experience. That price difference alone is a strong reason to stop and ask: do I really need the Pro?
Final Thoughts:
Writing this post really made me think about how often we default to buying the “best” phone, rather than the one that actually fits our needs.
I If you’re someone who always wants the newest and most powerful iPhone (like me), it might be worth pausing and asking what you genuinely need from your phone — not just what you want.
The iPhone 17 is a highly capable device. While it may lack some Pro-level camera features, even calling that a “lack” feels unfair. For everyday users who want to message, take good photos, and consume content, it’s an excellent choice.
So if that sounds like you, it might be time to rethink what you really need when you next upgrade.
If you’re upgrading soon and want to see current prices, I’ve added links below. As always, buy the phone that fits your life — not just the marketing.