The iPhone 17 Is the True Star of Apple's New Phone Lineup

To examine the new features on the phones, I spent a week living with the four models and gathering first impressions, including whether the featherlight iPhone Air feels all that different during everyday use. Consumer Reports bought all four models at retail to test in our labs, reviewing metrics like performance, battery life, and durability.

We also took an extra look at the relative scratch resistance of the 17 Pro Max, after some early users reported scuffing and other cosmetic damage, and the internet predictably started talking about "scratchgate."

The key findings are noted below. CR members can also dig deeper into the full test results in our smartphone ratings.

Ultimately, even with the splashy Air release, we recommend upgrading only if your current iPhone is several years old and nearing the end of its life. Remember, many of the headline-grabbing features—like Live Translate, spam call blocking, and Apple’s new “liquid glass” look—are accessible via the iOS 26 update, not the hardware itself, so you don’t need a new phone to enjoy them.

The 6.3-inch iPhone 17 starts at $799, the 6.5-inch iPhone Air at $999, the 6.3-inch iPhone 17 Pro at $1,099 (up $100 from last year), and the 6.9-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1,199.

Let’s dive into what it’s like to use the new phones.