Apple iPhone 17 (256GB)

Apple iPhone 17 (256GB)

By Apple · Smartphones · Phones & Computers

  • Apple A19 chip, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
  • Up to 30 hours video playback, 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter

Price not listed

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

The iPhone 17 (256GB), model A3258, is Apple’s entry-level 2025 flagship, with its most significant upgrade in several years: a 120Hz ProMotion display, a 48MP ultra-wide camera and 256GB of base storage at the same $799 price. Check the SIM situation before you buy — US models are eSIM-only, with no physical tray for frequent carrier switchers or travelers.

Strengths

  • The 120Hz ProMotion display with always-on was exclusive to Pro models last generation.
  • Both rear cameras are now 48MP, up from 12MP on the iPhone 16’s ultra-wide.
  • 256GB of base storage at the same $799 price as the 128GB iPhone 16.
  • PCMag measured 24 hours 31 minutes of streaming; CNET’s 45-minute endurance test left the battery at 98%.
  • The A19 chip outpaces the iPhone 16 Pro Max in CPU benchmarks.
  • The 18MP Center Stage front camera shoots landscape selfies without rotating the phone.

Weaknesses

  • There is no telephoto camera: the 2x zoom is a 12MP crop from the main sensor.
  • The USB-C port runs at USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mb/s), 20x slower than the USB 3 on Pro models.
  • 8GB of RAM, against 12GB in the other iPhone 17 models.
  • US models are eSIM-only, with no physical SIM tray.
  • Speakers distort at maximum volume; PCMag measured 93 dB with audible distortion.
  • Apple Intelligence is still in beta with daily usage limits, and Siri AI is English-only at launch.

Verified specifications

ModeliPhone 17 (A3258), US eSIM-only.
Display6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2622 × 1206 pixels, 460 ppi.
Refresh rateProMotion adaptive 1–120Hz with always-on.
Brightness1000 nits typical, 1600 nits peak HDR, 3000 nits peak outdoor.
ChipApple A19, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine.
RAM8GB.
Storage256GB NVMe.
Rear cameras48MP Fusion Main (26 mm, f/1.6, sensor-shift OIS) and 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view).
Telephoto12MP optical-quality 2x from the main sensor; 4x optical zoom range, up to 10x digital zoom.
Front camera18MP Center Stage, f/1.9, autofocus, square sensor.
Video4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K 60 fps.
Batteryup to 30 hours local video playback, up to 27 hours streamed.
Fast charge50% in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter or higher.
Wireless chargingMagSafe up to 25W, Qi2 up to 25W.
Connectivity5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, second-generation Ultra Wideband.
USBUSB-C at USB 2.0 speeds, up to 480 Mb/s.
DurabilityIP68 (6 meters for up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front, 3x better scratch resistance.
SIMdual eSIM, no physical SIM tray.
In the boxiPhone, USB-C charge cable (1 m), documentation. No power adapter.
Dimensions5.89 × 2.81 × 0.31 in (149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm); 6.24 oz (177 g).
Colorsblack, white, mist blue, sage, lavender.
Warrantyone-year limited warranty; AppleCare+ available.
Full research notes and sources

Display and performance

The display is the headline upgrade. The 6.3-inch panel runs at 120Hz with always-on, features that were exclusive to Pro models last generation, and anyone coming from the iPhone 16’s 60Hz panel will feel the difference immediately. PhoneArena measured 2,672 nits at 20% APL against Apple’s 3,000-nit peak outdoor claim — different test conditions, not a contradiction. The A19 chip posts Geekbench 6 scores of 3,612 single-core and 9,180 multi-core in CNET’s testing, ahead of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Tom’s Guide’s month-long review calls the 120Hz refresh a “huge difference” in daily use.

Cameras

Both rear cameras jump to 48MP — the main with sensor-shift OIS, the ultra-wide finally matching it after years at 12MP. The 2x telephoto is a 12MP crop from the main sensor, not a dedicated lens, so zoomed shots won’t match a Pro. The 18MP Center Stage front camera uses a square sensor for landscape selfies without rotating the phone, and Dual Capture records front and rear video at the same time. Tom’s Guide’s long-term reviewer says low-light shots make “pitch dark conditions appear like day”, though the Camera Control button frustrates power users by offering no shutter speed, ISO or aperture control.

Battery and charging

Apple rates the battery at 30 hours of local video playback and 27 hours streamed. PCMag’s streaming test — YouTube over Wi-Fi at max brightness, harsher than Apple’s conditions — ran 24 hours 31 minutes, and CNET’s 45-minute endurance test left 98% remaining. A 40W adapter or higher gets you to 50% in 20 minutes, and PCMag measured a full charge in one hour; MagSafe and Qi2 both charge at up to 25W. Apple does not disclose the battery capacity.

Running costs and what’s not in the box

The box contains the phone, a 1 m USB-C cable and documentation — no power adapter. Apple sells the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter for $39, the MagSafe Charger for $39 (1 m) or $49 (2 m), and cases for $49. iCloud+ storage starts at $0.99 a month. Apple Trade In quotes $200–$700 of credit for an iPhone 13 or newer, and AppleCare+ is available for accidental-damage coverage. Battery replacement is available through Apple or authorized providers once the built-in cell wears out.

Is it worth it?

Apple lists the 256GB model at $799 with carrier activation and $829 unlocked — the sixth consecutive generation at $799, stretching back to the iPhone 12 in 2020. For anyone upgrading from an iPhone 14 or older, the jump in display, cameras and storage is the most significant in several years. Coming from an iPhone 16, the design is nearly identical and the upgrade less compelling. If you need a telephoto lens, USB 3 speeds or 12GB of RAM, the iPhone 17 Pro at $1,099 adds them for $300 more.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

  • No owner threads were part of the research for this model.

Buying guides for this category

Related products