Brief Summary
This video is a comprehensive review of the base model iPhone 17 after a month of daily use. Carter Nolan discusses his reasons for choosing this model over others, highlights the most noticeable features, points out some quirks, and shares his overall thoughts and hot takes on the device. He concludes by evaluating whether the iPhone 17 was the right choice for him, considering its strengths and weaknesses.
- The iPhone 17 offers great value for everyday use with features like the ProMotion display and increased base storage.
- Despite some initial quirks and disappointments, the user experience has improved over time.
- The phone's battery life and camera capabilities are significant upgrades.
Intro
Carter Nolan introduces his review of the base model iPhone 17 after using it daily for over a month. He outlines the topics he will cover, including his reasons for choosing this model, notable features, quirks, hot takes, and his final verdict on whether it was the right decision. He mentions that many viewers have also upgraded to the iPhone 17, including some switching from Android.
Why I chose the 17
Carter explains that he chose the base model iPhone 17 due to a trade-in offer from his wireless carrier for his old iPhone 11, which was only valid for the new 17 lineup. While he considered the 17 Pro and Pro Max, the trade-in value influenced his decision. He notes that the base model looks similar to the previous generation on the outside, but its internal features and value for everyday use are what make it appealing.
Most noticeable features
The most hyped feature of the iPhone 17 is its ProMotion 120 Hz display, which enhances the smoothness of swiping, opening apps, and viewing notifications. The display, borrowed from previous Pro models, significantly improves the visual experience, especially when paired with the iOS 26 liquid glass aesthetic. The iPhone 17 also boasts a brighter display, reaching up to 3,000 nits, comparable to higher-end models. Carter also appreciates the matte finish and thinner bezels, which give the phone a premium look and feel.
Weird quirks I noticed
Carter discusses some initial quirks he noticed with the iPhone 17. He experienced issues with typos due to a bug in the iOS 26 keyboard, which was later resolved. He also observed that some Instagram videos appeared much brighter due to HDR, which he addressed by adjusting the settings. Additionally, he found the display to be too warm due to the True Tone feature, which he corrected by changing the style to natural. Initially disappointed with the Dynamic Island, his opinion has since changed as he found more uses for it.
Thoughts 1 month later
After a month of use, Carter shares his updated thoughts on the iPhone 17. He notes that the ProMotion display continues to feel smooth and is not just a novelty. He discovered that the phone needs to be in automatic brightness mode to reach its maximum brightness of 3,000 nits, but he prefers to keep this feature turned off for mental sanity. A significant upgrade is the doubling of the base storage to 256GB, which alleviates concerns about running out of space. The most noticeable difference for him is the battery life, which allows him to go two full days without charging, even with 6-7 hours of screen time. The iPhone 17 also features an adaptive battery mode to prolong battery life as it wears down over time. The camera is solid, with the cinematic mode becoming his go-to for recording. The new selfie camera allows for horizontal recording while holding the phone vertically, which he finds comfortable and convenient.
Hot takes
Carter shares his "lukewarm" takes on certain features. He struggles to find a real use case for Apple Intelligence beyond creating emojis. While he acknowledges the usefulness of features like cutting out a person in a picture or using the cleanup tool, he wishes Siri was more useful without needing to rely on ChatGPT. He also does not use the always-on display, finding it unnecessary due to having a clock at his desk, a Mac, and an Apple Watch. He admits he would prefer having the regular ringer switch instead of the action button, but respects the customizability. Finally, he notes that the USB-C port has made things harder, requiring him to buy new charging cables, but acknowledges its compatibility with third-party accessories.
Was the 17 the right choice
Carter concludes that the iPhone 17 was the best choice for him. He believes it's easier to define who the iPhone 17 isn't for, such as those who prefer sleek, thin, light phones or those heavily into gaming, recording, or needing a bigger screen and battery, who might prefer the Air or Pro Max. For him, the base 17 checks the boxes that matter most, making it a safe and great choice and the best phone he has ever owned.
