xiaomi 15t pro review

Xiaomi 15T Pro

“The Xiaomi 15T Pro is by far one of the best premium smartphones that is easy for me to recommend to you. It has it all: impressive performance, a large impressive display, a big battery with impressive battery life, and an impressive camera system.“

Guess what?! The new Xiaomi 15T series just dropped! They’re calling these the “flagship killers” because they seriously pack some great features. Think awesome vibrant displays, super-fast performance, impressive cameras, and huge batteries, all in a classic-looking design. With those few words, let’s explore the new Xiaomi 15T Pro smartphone, see what you’re getting yourself into, and see if it’s worth your time. 

Overview

Oh man, so I was looking at the new Xiaomi 15T Pro! Get this: it’s built super tough—like, glass front and back with an aluminum frame, and you can even dunk it in up to 3 meters in water and it still works! The screen looks insane, too: it’s a huge 6.83-inch AMOLED that’s super smooth with a 144Hz refresh rate, and the bezels on the screen are really tiny. Protection-wise, it’s got Gorilla Glass 7i on top. 

Under the hood, it’s running on a powerful Dimensity 9400+ chip, which is crazy fast. The Leica camera included got a serious upgrade, especially with the 50 MP main primary lens, and the new 50 MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom! The ultrawide lens is just okay, but even the selfie camera is better now with a wider lens. It’s got a solid 5,500mAh battery with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. But here’s the best part: it starts at under £700 / US$ 900 / €800! That’s way cheaper than most other top phones, and honestly, the specs barely seem to have any compromises.

Specs – Xiaomi 15T Pro

What’s To Like

1. Large Gorgeous OLED Display

We need to talk about the screen of the Xiaomi 15T Pro! It’s a huge 6.83-inch AMOLED that’s super sharp and silky smooth thanks to that 144Hz refresh rate. It even supports Dolby Vision for seriously gorgeous media streaming, and it’s protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, too. It’s slightly bigger than the old model, and while the absolute brightest number is lower, it still gets plenty bright! In auto-mode, it hits a great 1,419 nits, which is better than the last one. In the end, you get a smartphone with a large display, that is vibrant, bright, and detailed, and is less likely to shatter upon accidental drops.    

2. Impressive Main Camera Performance

Okay, so what is the camera situation on the Xiaomi 15T Pro? Well is a mix! The main camera is still excellent at 50MP from last year’s model, no complaints there. The ultrawide is pretty much still the same, pretty basic 13MP one. However, the only upgrade here is the telephoto camera. It’s still at 50 MP but the zoom has been improved from 2.6x to 5x zooming capabilities. It still maintains the ‘Leica’ lens which includes ultra HDR quality photos and videos take captures up to 8K video quality. The selfie camera is not that great, which I’ll touch on later. So, to end off: same impressive camera features to the 14T Pro, but with an improved zooming capabilities.     

3. Superb battery Life with Fast Charging

So the phone’s powered by a large 5500mAh battery which is larger than the previous model. The battery supports not only wired charging, but also wireless charging as well. On average, if you use the 15T Pro for taking and answering calls, internet browsing, and media streaming you’re looking at an average of over 16 hours of battery life, which is phenomenal. For gaming and other intensive apps, it drops to 10 hours of battery life. This phone has one of the longest battery life this year, and it’s even better than the top premium Galaxy S25 Ultra. This phone will definitely last you the whole day, and even the next day, depends on how you use it.    

As for charging, there’s a slight decrease from the 14T Pro but it’s not a train smash. Using a 90W charger, you’re looking at 0% to 0ver 80% charge in 30 minutes. And for full charge, you’re looking at under 40 minutes. That is just impressive! But because you don’t get a 90W charger in box, you’ll need to get one for your 15T Pro to maximize on these charging benefits.

Other charging features include disabling the fast charging mode, or limiting the charge to a certain percentage. These are good options as they extend the battery’s overall lifespan. In the end, you get a smartphone with a huge battery, a long and impressive battery life, with fast charging, and options to help keep the battery running for long, long time.   

4. Premium Design & Durable

Did I mention that this phone is super tough? Okay, so the new Xiaomi 15T Pro looks pretty similar to the last couple of versions, but they tweaked it this time. The design is much flatter now, and the square camera hump looks slightly different. It’s built like a tank. It comes with an aluminum frame, for better drop protection on the glass front and back, and they even reinforced the frame to make it super rigid. Plus, it can survive being underwater up to 3 meters for 30 minutes.

I love that the frame and back have a matte finish that won’t show all your fingerprints. They ditched the camera rings, too—the lenses are now flush with the hump, which looks super clean and premium. I hope they made those lenses tough, though. It comes in 3 colors: Black, Gray, or the cool Mocha Gold. I already mentioned the huge OLED screen with the smooth refresh rate and the tiny bezels. Oh, and the common fingerprint scanner on the lower part of the screen. 

The camera area on the back bump is a square with four black circles for the main, ultrawide, and the zoom lens. The phone feels great in your hand, but heads up: the matte back is kind of slippery, so you’ll probably want to use the case it comes with. Overall, great premium design with impressive durable features, and comes with 3 nice colors to choose from. 

5. Impressive Overall Performance

The 15T Pro comes with an 8-core ‘Dimensity 9400+’ processor from MediaTek, and a graphics chip called ‘Immortalis-G925’. You also get 12GB of RAM, and storage models from 256GB to 1TB. There’s plenty of memory for apps on standby, and even more storage options to store media in the phone. 

With performance, the chip is not as impressive as the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, yet it still performs better than the previous model. In fact, statistics say that it’s out performs the 14T Pro it by 12%. And with the graphics performance, it’s pretty close to the ‘Adreno 830’ graphics found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone. 

So, overall you can expect fast phone performance and impressive graphics that not that far from leading Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone, yet better than the 14T Pro. If the Galaxy S25 Ultra is not in your budget, then the 15T Pro may be the better alternative.            

6. Affordable Premium

If you’re looking for a premium smartphone that will not cost you that much then the 15T Pro is it. It’s still expensive but not as expensive as the other premium phones such as the Galaxy S25 series or the Apple iPhone 17 series. The entry model starts at a price of £649 / US$ 841 / €749. That is fair price which makes it a better alternative to the more expensive brands, and the features it has are mostly premium which makes it a much more valuable option. 

7. 5-year OS Support

The 15T Pro comes installed with the HyperOS 2.0 operating system. The next 3.0 update should be available this month with a further 5 more major updates as well as security updates in the future. This is a great feature because as the next phone models releases in future, there will be updates for the 15T Pro which means my smartphone will still be relevant. Other brands like Samsung say say 7-years software support for their phones, but let’s not lose focus, okay?   

8. Impressive Sounding Speakers

If you like listening to beats on your phone, I’m pleased to say this but this two-speaker stereo hybrid delivers an overall well balanced and impressive sound. They’re both supported by ‘Dolby Atmos’ which is a sound enhancer feature that is on by default. And it’s pretty loud too. Overall, impressive audio quality by the 15T Pro.    

What’s Not to Like

1. No Battery Charger in box

As I said before, the 15T Pro doesn’t come with it’s own 90W brick charger in box or any other charger for that matter. You’ll have to get it separately. You can use your existing brick charger just make sure it’s less that 90W or less. But less is not better because the charging won’t be as fast unless you have a 90W charger.       

2. Mediocre Selfie Camera

To those who love taking selfies, don’t do it with this phone, or even the 14T Pro for that matter. They are similar and both produce the same picture quality and videos, which lack contrast, color accuracy and vibrance, and are just plain dull.  What’s weird is that all the other Xiaomi smartphones, even their top range models uses the same selfie camera features which is really sad.    

3. Heat Issues

As much as the performance of the 15T Pro is amazing, if you like gaming just note that the phone will develop some heat… a lot of heat. In fact, if you game for too long its going to get hot. Luckily, the performance will drop down to 60% but will go back to normal upon normal usage. Honestly speaking, the 15T Pro is a total beast when it comes to performance, especially gaming. It has legit flagship performance, it can handle any game you throw at it, and it won’t even stutter. The only thing is, if you’re gaming for hours, it’s not be the most comfortable phone to hold. 

4. Gimmicky Refresh Rate

The refresh rate settings are a bit weird, though. The ‘Auto’ and ‘Custom 144Hz’ modes mostly stick to 120Hz for most stuff like scrolling and apps, and only hits the full 144Hz in a few games. If you want faster refresh rates in specific apps like YouTube, you might have to dig into the settings. But if you like watching or streaming media from Netflix and other popular streaming services, then the 15T Pro is the best.

Alternatives

So. You can’t afford this one because you lack the budget, or you’re not happy that it takes bad selfies. That’s too bad. Before you give up, let’s look at some great alternatives that will put a smile on your face. 

1. Samsung S25 FE

2. Xiaomi 15T

3. POCO F7

Verdict

The Xiaomi 15T Pro is by far one of the best premium smartphones that is easy for me to recommend to you. It has it all: impressive performance, a large impressive display, a big battery with impressive battery life, and an impressive camera system. Yes, the selfie camera is not great, and other minor compromises, but if think about it, the pros outweigh the cons. If price though is an issue, which may be because it’s not far from other top range phones, then it’s a good idea to wait for the price to drop, or you can look at getting one of these awesome alternatives.   

So what do you think of the awesome Xiaomi 15T Pro smartphone? Is it an impressive smartphone? Why are you best qualities and dealbreakers are you look out for? If you can spare some time off your busy schedule, it would be so great if you can leave a comment and express your views on the Xiaomi 15T Pro. And if you’re interested, CLICK HERE to find out more, and buying options. Well, that’s all from me. Take care. Until next time 🙂  

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

“The new Galaxy S25 FE is a pretty solid smartphone packed with impressive features. If you’re already a big Samsung fan or you live in the US, it’s a great option to consider.”

The Fan Edition (FE) is here once more in 2025. Are you excited? I hope so because you’re going to be blown away with the new features on this years Galaxy S25 FE smartphone. You may be asking, what’s new with the new Galaxy S25 FE? Is it better than last year’s model? All these questions and more will be answered at this year’s review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. Let’s not waste any more time. Let’s dive in and see what’s in store.     

Overview

Samsung’s new Fan Edition (FE) phone is out, and it’s basically the more budget-friendly version of the Galaxy S25 series. This year’s model, the Galaxy S25 FE, is a big step up from the last one. It’s got the same powerful Exynos 2400 chip as the regular S25, a bigger battery that charges fast, a new selfie camera, and a tougher aluminum frame. It still has the awesome display, triple camera setup, and that classic Samsung look we all know. Honestly, this phone closely resembles the Galaxy S25+ —they share a ton of the same specs, like the screen, cameras, and battery. However, the S25+ is slightly faster and has a slightly better camera, but for anyone who wants a premium phone without the high flagship price tag, this is a great choice. Of course, you should also check out other phones in this price range if you’re not totally set on a Samsung.

What’s to Like

Impressive Build Design

When you first look at it, you’ll think it’s the exact same phone as last year’s model, and it’s also a dead ringer for the regular Galaxy S25+. It’s got that classic, super clean Samsung look that fans love—no crazy bumps or weird designs here. Even though it looks familiar, the S25 FE comes with some improvements: the aluminum frame is now improved, making it tougher and lighter than regular aluminum. The phone still comes with an IP68 rating, which means it can handle dust and water. It also has the Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front to keep the screen safe. 

In your hand, the phone feels great. The flat edges give you a secure grip, though it does make the phone feel a little bigger than it is. It comes in four colors—IcyBlue, Jetblack, Navy, and White—all borrowed from the Galaxy S25 series. No matter which color you pick, the frame is always a cool, silvery aluminum that gives it a nice two-tone look and helps it stand out from the other S25 models.

All in all, the S25 FE is more durable, has a solid design with top-notch materials that feel just as premium as a flagship phone. The look might be a bit repetitive, but honestly, that’s kind of the point.

Impressive Quality Display

The screen is still the same size as the previous model at 6.7 inches, and it’s a seriously great display. It’s a gorgeous AMOLED panel with a crisp 1080p screen resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It even acts like the fancier LTPO screens, so it can change its refresh rate to save battery, dropping down to as low as 1Hz when you’re just looking at a static image. It’s also bright enough to use comfortably outside. When it comes to video, you’re all set. The screen supports HDR10+, so your movies and tv shows from streaming services like Netflix will look fantastic.

While it doesn’t have Dolby Vision, that’s pretty standard for Samsung phones. It also supports Android Ultra HDR, which means photos will look more vibrant in your gallery. The display settings give you two options: Adaptive and Standard. Both are actually adaptive, but the “Standard” one just caps things at a maximum of 60Hz. The “Adaptive” mode is what you’ll want for that super smooth 120Hz experience, and it’s smart enough to slow down to save battery when you’re not doing anything demanding. Overall, the display looks impressive. 

Improved Camera System

The S25 FE comes a triple camera system starting with a 50MP wide camera, an 8MP telephoto camera which includes a 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The front-facing camera for taking selfies has now come with a 12MP wide camera, which is an improvement from last years model with 10MP. The rest of the camera functions are the same compared to the S24 FE.  

Impressive Software Support

The S25 FE actually has its claim to fame: it’s the first in the whole S25 lineup to ship with the finished version of One UI 8 (which is based on Android 16). The other S25 models are still using a beta version, so that’s a nice perk. Even though this is the more affordable option, it still gets the same awesome support as the flagship phones, with 7 years of major OS upgrades. That means you’ll be set for a long, long time.

When it comes to the look and feel, not much has changed since the last version, but all the Galaxy AI features from the other S25 phones are here. The AI is smarter now, especially with Gemini Live, which can understand natural voice commands and even what’s on your screen or camera. You can also use Circle to Search right in the middle of a game to get a little help. Overall, the operating system feels super smooth and everything runs great. And the 7-year software support will keep the S25 FE running for long time.

Improved Battery

As for the battery life, the S25 FE comes with a 4900mAh battery which is slightly bigger than the previous model which was 4700mAh. However, there is no significant change to the battery life as they both average up to 12 hours, which is not bad. Yet compared to other top range smartphones, like the Galaxy S25+ (which averages up to 14 hours of battery life), the S25 FE is rated as one of the least smartphones to have the best battery life. It goes to show that even though the battery size has is bigger, doesn’t always mean better battery life. 

Impressive Performance

The new Galaxy S25 FE has a powerful new chip, called the Exynos 2400. It’s a noticeable step up from the one in last year’s S24 FE. This new chip is super advanced and has a bunch of different cores that act like mini-brains for different tasks. For graphics, the phone uses an AMD-based GPU, which is a high-tech part that makes games and videos look great.

As for storage, the phone comes with 8GB of memory and a choice of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage. The 256GB and 512GB models have super-fast storage, while the 128GB version might be a bit slower. Even though this chip came out last year, it’s still a top-tier performer, especially for tasks that rely on the main processor.

What’s Not to Like

Slow Charging Speed

So, get this—the new Galaxy S25 FE is supposed to have faster charging speed, going from 25W to 45W. But here’s the weird part: when I tested it, it didn’t charge any faster. The difference was so tiny it didn’t really make any sense. We even used the official Samsung 45W charger with the cable. But no matter what I did, the S25 FE never charged faster than 28W. So, even though Samsung says it’s super fast, it charges just as slow as the old S24 FE. 

Least Battery Life

When comparing the battery life to other premium smartphones, I came to realize that the S25 FE has the shorter battery life. Not that it’s bad. 12 hours of battery life is good, but it’s lost the race in this area. Trailing behind him is the previous S24 FE but it doesn’t really matter as they have relatively the same battery life.    

Sustained Performance Lacks Overtime

The overall phone performance is impressive, but not for graphics performance (for things like gaming). The new S25 FE has a 10% bigger cooling system to help keep the phone from getting too hot when you’re using it heavily. Yet, even with that, the phone’s performance drops pretty quickly when it’s under heavy use. So, if you’re doing something intense like gaming, you might notice the phone slowing down after just 10 minutes or so. It’s better to use it for common tasks either than gaming. 

Premium Price

They say the Galaxy S25 FE is the more ‘affordable’ smartphone. Well, I have news for you. It’s true. But here’s the thing – but it’s not a budget smartphone. By comparing the other prices of the other smartphones in the Galaxy S25 series: the S25 Ultra is still the most expensive at £1399 ($1889); next is the S25 Plus at £999 ($1349); then the S25 at £699 ($944), and now it’s the S25 FE which comes down to £649 ($876). Let’s not forget the recent new S25 Edge which costs £899 ($1214). It’s safe to say that the Galaxy S25 FE is still a premium phone, and costs a whole lot more to categories it in the budget range. For our budget-conscious friends, the S25 FE is not an option, causing them to look elsewhere. But if you have the budget for it, then go for it.     

Verdict

The new Galaxy S25 FE is a pretty solid smartphone packed with impressive features. If you’re already a big Samsung fan or you live in the US, it’s a great option to consider. It feels comfortable on your hand. It has a nice and premium look. It has a fantastic screen, and performs well for everyday use. Plus, the main and selfie cameras take some really good pictures. One of the best parts is that Samsung is promising a 7 major software support, so the Galaxy S25 FE will stay up-to-date for a long time. 

However, it’s not perfect. The battery life and charging speed aren’t the best. There are other phones out there with more powerful specs and has a better camera system. What’s worse is that a lot of the rival phone brands are also a lot cheaper. So, if you’re not really loyal to Samsung and you live somewhere instead of the US, you might find a better deal with one of the competitors. But if you’re upgrading from an older Samsung or you’re in the US, the Galaxy S25 FE is definitely worth a look.

That’s the end of the review of the Galaxy S25 FE. What are your thoughts, is it a smartphone worth considering? What other smartphones are you considering? Let me know here below at the comments, and if you have any questions you can also let me know and I’ll answer ASAP. And if the Galaxy S25 FE peaks your interests, then click HERE to find out more. That’s all from me. Stay safe. Until next time 😀

Apple iPhone 17

Apple iPhone 17

“This is the most well-rounded iPhone Apple’s ever made and probably the one you should get.”

The standard iPhone has always lived in the shadow of its flashier, more expensive “Pro” siblings. It’s the dependable choice, but usually misses out on the truly exciting features. Well, get ready for a plot twist, because the iPhone 17 changes that story completely. This isn’t just an iterative update; it’s the year Apple finally gave the base model some real Pro-level firepower—most notably, that stunning 120Hz display and the brightest screen yet. With these major upgrades, the question isn’t whether the iPhone 17 is a good phone, but whether it’s the best value phone in Apple’s entire 2025 lineup. Let’s find out more from the review of the Apple iPhone 17 smartphone. 

Overview

Forget about it being the “dud” in the lineup just because it’s the standard model and its sibling is now the “Air.” The truth is, the iPhone 17 is looking like it might be the most improved phone Apple drops in 2025. This isn’t just a small update; it’s getting some serious, meaningful boosts over the iPhone 16. First off, the screen is finally getting the upgrade we’ve wanted! It’s a new, slightly bigger 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with smaller borders. And get this: the standard model finally features ProMotion tech, giving you a super smooth, variable refresh rate up to 120 Hz. Plus, the brightness is getting cranked up to a peak of 3000 nits, meaning for the first time, the regular iPhone is just as bright as the Pro models. Huge win!

Under the hood, it’s packing the brand-new A19 chipset, built on that super-efficient 3nm process. Paired with a solid 8 GB of RAM, this phone is going to be snappy for a long time, both for everyday use and for future software updates. The cameras are also getting a nice bump. The dual system is now 48MP and inherits all of Apple’s latest software tricks. That means better shots in low light and even Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to $4\text{K}@60\text{fps}$. Even the selfie camera is refreshed with an $18\text{MP}$ sensor, image stabilization (OIS), and the ability to capture spatial audio and Dolby Vision video!

While the look hasn’t totally changed from the iPhone 16, it actually might be the best-looking one of the bunch. The Pro models are apparently getting a slightly controversial glass “window” insert on the back, but the standard 17 keeps that clean, classic look with an all-glass back and an aluminum frame—less scratch-prone and just a lot sleeker, in my opinion. It hits all the modern flagship checkboxes: IP68 water resistance, MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging, and satellite features for SOS and Find My. The battery is a decent $3,692\text{mAh}$, and it even beats the more expensive Air model. Charging is quick, too, matching the Pros with wired PD3.2 and $25\text{W}$ wireless support. And perhaps the best news? The base storage is finally jumping to a much more usable 256 GB!

While the Pro models are always going to have a few extra niche features and maybe a bolder (or weirder) design, the iPhone 17 is closer to the Pros than ever before. It nails the basics better than any non-Pro iPhone before it, only missing out on the really tiny extras. Honestly, the iPhone 17 might just be “the one to get” this generation! What do you think about that screen finally getting $120\text{Hz}$? That’s the real game-changer for me!

What’s to Like

1. The Stunning 120Hz Display

Okay, so let’s get into the display, because this is where the iPhone 17 really stops acting like a “base model” and starts demanding some respect. First, it’s a huge visual upgrade. The screen is now a nice, comfortable 6.3 inches and those bezels (the black borders) are thinner, so you get more screen space in a phone that doesn’t feel much bigger. But the real game-changer? It finally has ProMotion! That’s Apple’s super-smooth 120Hz high refresh rate tech that used to be exclusive to the expensive Pro phones. Trust me, once you see how fluid scrolling, swiping, and gaming look at 120Hz, you can’t go back. This feature alone is what makes the standard iPhone 17 feel like a genuinely premium phone—it’s a massive leap over the iPhone 16.

Now, the brightness numbers were a little quirky when we tested them. Manually maxing out the slider gave us slightly less brightness than last year’s model, which is weird, but probably just due to some fine-tuning in the software. And because it has that super-efficient dynamic refresh rate tech, the phone can drop all the way down to 1Hz to save power. That low power mode is what finally allows the iPhone 17 to bring us the highly-requested Always-On Display. You can now check the time and your notifications without having to wake the phone up—it’s super convenient. Overall, the iPhone 17 display is fantastic. It’s everything you need from scrolling social media to watching movies in Dolby Vision HDR. It’s an easy A-plus upgrade.

2. The Impressive Battery Life

The iPhone 17 packs a slightly bigger battery—it’s 3,692 mAh—but here’s the kicker: when we ran our standardized tests, the overall “Active Use Score” was almost exactly the same as the iPhone 16. It really seems like Apple’s main goal every year is just to make sure the battery life doesn’t drop, no matter how many flashy new features they add. The good news is that with about fifteen hours of battery life from tests done, the iPhone 17 should last you the whole day if you use it moderately.

The only real difference we spotted was in the breakdown of those numbers. We saw a slightly lower score for web browsing compared to the older model. Why? Because of that fantastic new 120Hz screen you just read about! Smooth scrolling uses a little extra power. But don’t worry about streaming or gaming—those tests still run at 60Hz, so those scores haven’t really been affected. Basically, you get the same reliable, all-day battery life, but now with a super-smooth display. 

3. Superb Performance

Alright, so let’s dive into what’s actually under the hood. The iPhone 17 is running on Apple’s latest A19 chip. Even though it’s the standard version and not the “Pro” one found in the expensive models, it’s still impressive. It’s so similar to the Pro chip that it makes you wonder what the “Pro” even means anymore. You also get 8 GB of memory here, which is the same as the iPhone 16. It’s totally fast enough, but it does feel like we’re still waiting for that 12 GB bump to finally make its way down to the vanilla model. But here’s the real good news: the base storage just got a major boost!

The entry-level iPhone 17 now starts with a generous 256 GB of super-fast storage, doubling the 128 GB you got last year. The best part? They did this without raising the price! That’s a huge win for everyone buying the base model.

Whilst reviewing benchmarks, we did see the standard A19 lag slightly behind the Pro version, confirming that it’s likely a bit downclocked. However, when we looked at tests that put a massive, varied load on the phone the regular iPhone 17 actually outperformed the iPhone Air! That tells us the cooling and overall efficiency of this vanilla model are really well-tuned. So while you’re not getting the absolute highest top-end power, you’re getting super reliable, sustained speed when you need it most.

4. Good Camera System

The main cameras are still 48MP and have the same sensor (for the third year in a row), with sensor-shift stabilization. While solid, it’s not the most cutting-edge option anymore. Here’s the good news: there are two upgrades to the camera system. Firstly, the ultra-wide camera has been improved from 12MP to 48MP, which is similar to the Pro and the Pro Max models. This also includes PDAF, which works with autofocus. What it does is that it allows you to focus up close and doubles as a macro camera. 

Second is the selfie camera.  It’s an all-new $18\text{MP}$ sensor with PDAF and image stabilization. It has a unique octagonal (shaved corners) shape that enables “multi-aspect” shooting, giving the same diagonal field of view for vertical and horizontal selfies. However, this shape causes a drop in resolution for $1:1$ (square) photos (down to $13.5\text{MP}$ or $9\text{MP}$ depending on settings).

The downside? No telephoto camera here, which is a minor thing, but that will be explain a little later. Overall, the ultra-wide and the selfie cameras are the stars of the show this year, while the main camera is unchanged, and no telephoto camera.

What’s Not to Like

1. Heat issue

It looks like the regular iPhone 17 is having a bit of a heating issue, unlike its fancier siblings. The Pro and Pro Max models finally come with a cool-sounding vapor chamber for better cooling. The problem seems to be the new Apple A19 chip, which gets pretty hot, especially when you push the graphics hard. What happens then is the phone has to intentionally slow itself down to keep from melting. That means you lose a good chunk of performance. 

The good news is that the performance drop is a gradual slide, not a jarring, sudden nosedive. Still, the phone’s back gets really hot, to the point where it gets slightly uncomfortable to hold. Now that Apple’s finally gotten serious about cooling with the vapor chamber in the Pro models, we’re really hoping they’ll do the right thing and bring that tech to the standard iPhone next year.

2. No Telephoto Camera

As great as the camera system the iPhone 17 has, it doesn’t come with a telephoto lens, like the Pro and the Pro Max models. Yet still it captures amazing photos and pictures using the 2x digital zooming feature that is included in the main camera. If that’s how it is, then it doesn’t really need telephoto.   

Apple iPhone 17 Alternatives

Verdict

All I can say is this: The new iPhone 17 is actually a great phone for 2025. Apple finally gave the regular iPhone some much-needed love, adding upgrades like: a smooth, fancy 120Hz display (with super thin borders) and a decent amount of base storage. They also improved the selfie camera, gave the ultrawide camera a nice 48MP bump with autofocus for macro shots, and even made charging the iPhone 17 a bit faster.

This is the most well-rounded iPhone Apple’s ever made and probably the one you should get. Sure, it’s not perfect—it can get a little warm when you push it super hard — but it’s minor issue. With a Pro-level screen, great performance, a capable camera, and usable storage, all wrapped up in that classic Apple look, this phone has never been this affordable for what you get. I bet it’s going to be the most popular iPhone this year!

So let’s hear what you think. Is this the ideal iPhone that you’re looking for? What features are you excited about? What other phones are you looking at? Let me know below at the comments section. And if you fancy yourself using it or your interested to know more, then CLICK HERE. That’s all for now. Check out the website to find more phones, laptops or other gadgets. I’m sure you’ll find some thing you like. Keep well. Until next time 😀