Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup, unveiled just hours ago, is generating buzz for a redesigned camera system that is more powerful yet comes with a more prominent bump on the back of the top-end iPhone Pro models.
However, the most significant new feature is arguably Apple’s custom-designed N1 wireless chip. It replaces components from Broadcom and brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support to all models, marking a major advancement in connectivity performance and reliability.
Rightly, Apple has been proud of its in-house designed silicon. Once again, the N1 is a strategic move that gives it an edge over rivals, the same way it did with its A-series and M-series chips that power the iPhone and the Macbooks respectively.
Wi-Fi 7 promises significantly higher throughput, lower latency, and better handling of crowded networks, making the iPhone 17 more future-proof for fast and reliable data usage. Built-in support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 enhances performance of key tools like AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.
Thread support is a major advancement for smart home devices like sensors, smart locks, and light bulbs. Unlike Wi-Fi, Thread is specifically designed for low-power gadgets. It uses modern encryption to prevent unauthorised access and hacking, and its self-healing, “just-works” design eliminates many common smart home compatibility issues.
To recap, Apple’s iPhone 17 line-up comprises a new ultra-light model called iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Beyond the new chip, the line-up also features two other noteworthy upgrades. First, the ProMotion display is now available in the standard model, iPhone 17. This technology, once a feature only on Pro and Max iPhones, makes a screen feel smooth and responsive.
Secondly, the new, ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. At just 5.6mm thick and encased in a titanium body, this new model is both light and powerful. Weighing 165g, it is lighter than the standard iPhone 17 which hits the scale at 177g.
The rear camera “bump”
And what of the most-leaked feature of the iPhone 17 Pro – its camera bump? This raised housing on the back contains the phone’s upgraded triple-lens system and LiDAR sensor.
It sticks out because the cutting-edge camera hardware – especially the bigger sensors and zoom lenses – cannot physically fit flush within the thin body of the phone.
One the flagship iPhone Pro Max model, the camera bump also accommodates the more complex 5x periscope telephone lens. For folks who want nicer photos, there’s the justification.
By redesigning the camera, Apple is also signalling a prioritisation of professional-grade photography and videography, even if it means a more prominent camera bump.
However, with users capturing everyday moments like birthdays, vacations, and food, these camera upgrades will also appeal to a broader audience since they enhance those memories.
Another new camera feature is the 18-megapixel front-facing centrestage camera. This sensor allows you to take both landscape and portrait selfies without having to rotate the phone. It also offers improved framing and special modes for group selfies which will be popular with users.
All of the new iPhones are powered by Apple’s own A19 processor, which comes with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core graphics processing unit (GPU). Apple claims each of the four models can deliver more than 50 per cent faster CPU performance than the iPhone 16.
Battery life has also vastly improved, according to the company. The new phones can play up to 30 hours video playback time compared to 22 hours previously.
Availability
Pre-orders start from September 12 with deliveries starting a week later. Notably, Apple has dropped the 128GB option for its new phones. All models now start with 256 GB storage.
The iPhone 17 256 GB model costs $$1,299, cheaper than the previous model S$1,449. The iPhone Air starts from S$1,599 with the Pro and Pro Max models starts from S$1,749 and S$1,899.
Conclusion
The new iPhone 17 lineup is more than just a list of feature upgrades. It is a statement. Apple is not just making phones anymore – it is crafting a family of specialised tools, each honed for a different purpose.
The most exciting and surprising of the bunch is arguably the new iPhone 17 Air. In a world of ever-thicker, ever-heavier flagship phones, the Air is so impossibly thin and light, it is a re-imagining of form, not just function. It signals a future where our devices could be so unobtrusive they almost disappear.
On the other end of the spectrum is the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which feels less like a phone and more like a professional-grade camera with a phone attached. The new camera bump design is not an ancillary feature, it is the centerpiece of the device.
The new 8x optical zoom in this model is more than just for snapping pictures of things far away. It is allows users to create depth and tell a story with their lens, a capability once reserved for dedicated professional cameras.
But perhaps the unsung hero of the lineup is the standard iPhone 17. Previously a good but not great option, it now brings the “Pro” experience to the masses with a 120Hz ProMotion display and a 48-megapixel main camera.
It is the model that makes your old device feel instantly outdated, not with a single flashy feature, but with a collection of long-awaited and meaningful improvements. Paired with a compelling price, it is easily the most significant value proposition Apple has offered in years.
For users who have a phone that is more than two years old, it is an easy to-buy recommendation. The standard iPhone 17 is a great value and a good choice that offers many features previously reserved for the Pro models.
For folks who demand the best mobile photography and performance the iPhone 17 Pro and Max models are the clear winners. That said, the new iPhone 17 is not for everyone.
Already have an iPhone 16? You might be better off waiting for the next model. Of course, if you’re a gadget lover who has to have the latest and greatest, the new features are certainly tempting.
