The Unlikely Champion: Why the iPhone 17 Is 2025’s Product of the Year
A closer look at how Apple’s standard model redefined value, closed the gap with Pro features, and became the smart choice for most users.
In a year marked by flashy experimental tech and the ultra-thin excitement of the iPhone Air, the real story wasn’t the device grabbing headlines—it was the one quietly perfecting what already works.
2025 was a packed year for Apple. The Mac continued its evolution, Vision Pro made important refinements, and the iPhone Air introduced a bold new design direction. Yet, when the dust settled, it was one product’s balance, performance, and value that set it apart. Not for showiness, but for sheer competence.
That product is the iPhone 17: 9to5Mac’s Product of the Year. Here’s why the mainstream model became the year’s breakout star.
The End of the “Pro” Tax
For years, choosing the standard iPhone meant accepting compromises: a lower refresh rate, less capable cameras, and last year’s processor. It was the practical option, but rarely the exciting one.
The iPhone 17 changes that narrative.
This year, Apple democratized features that users truly care about day-to-day. The showstopper? ProMotion. After years of limiting high-refresh displays to the Pro tier, the standard iPhone 17 now brings the same smooth 120Hz technology as its pricier sibling.
Once you experience ProMotion, there’s no going back—the difference in scrolling, animations, and overall fluidity simply stands out. By making this premium feature available at the $799 entry point, Apple effectively erased the biggest obstacle for upgraders.
Cameras That Compete Well Above Their Class
Base models have typically played catch-up on camera tech. Not this time. Borrowing heavily from the Pro lineup, the iPhone 17 delivers a camera system that feels anything but basic.
48MP Ultra Wide: The jump from 12MP to 48MP on the ultra-wide lens is more than a spec update—it’s a transformation in detail and clarity for landscapes and macro shots.
Center Stage Selfie Camera: The front-facing camera now supports Center Stage, using a new sensor to keep you perfectly framed during FaceTime calls—a pro-level feature that used to demand a higher price or different device.
The result? A photography experience that feels decidedly premium. While the Pro models still hold exclusive telephoto features, the iPhone 17’s dual-camera system covers everything from low-light portraits to cinematic videos with impressive skill.
Exceptional Value, Unchanged Price
Perhaps the iPhone 17’s most impressive achievement is its value.
Despite a year of tariff worries and global supply chain challenges, the iPhone 17 maintained its $799 price tag. But Apple did more than just hold the line—it doubled the base storage to 256GB, eliminating the stress of choosing between photos, apps, and updates.
Factor in a larger and brighter display, the upgraded Ceramic Shield 2 for improved durability, a powerful A19 chip, and that generous storage, and the iPhone 17 is simply a smart buy. In markets like Brazil, where Pro models can cost over $2,000, these upgrades redefine what a standard iPhone can be. For the first time in years, experts can recommend the standard iPhone with no caveats.
Why Not the iPhone Air?
It’s impossible to ignore the iPhone Air—a device with a radically thin design and the most dramatic shift in iPhone look since the iPhone X. It makes a statement and introduces a new philosophy: form and feel above all else.
So why didn’t it earn the top spot?
Simply put, the iPhone Air makes intentional trade-offs. It sacrifices some battery life and thermal performance to achieve its size and weight. It’s exciting and different, but by design, not the universal pick.
By contrast, the iPhone 17 is a “no-compromises” device. It balances performance, battery life (now up to 30 hours of video playback), and display excellence in a package suited to nearly everyone. It stands as the culmination of half a decade of design refinement that began with the iPhone 12.
A New Baseline for Excellence
The iPhone 17’s significance reaches beyond its specs. By elevating the baseline experience, Apple has set a new standard—the Pro models must deliver even more, and the Air must double down on its identity.
For the first time in ages, the “default” iPhone isn’t only the safest bet—it’s the smartest one.
Whether you’re moving up from an iPhone 13 or simply seeking the best buy in Apple’s 2025 lineup, the answer is clear. The iPhone 17 isn’t just “good enough”—it’s everything an iPhone should be.
If you enjoy Apple Secrets, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to support our work.
We publish daily Apple news, insights, and stories that matter to our readers.
Like most newsletters, fewer than 5% of our subscribers are paid.
Your support at $5/month or $45/year helps us keep Apple Secrets independent and growing into 2026.
Thank you for being here ❤️