Apple iPhone 17

The first standard iPhone to finally catch up with the Android competition, featuring a 120 Hz ProMotion display and a dual 48 MP camera. While the A19 chip delivers the usual impressive performance, the device still lacks a dedicated telephoto lens. For Apple users, this is the most sensible upgrade in the base series so far, as it brings the most important "Pro" features to the standard model for the first time.

Classification and Target Audience

The iPhone 17 is the direct competitor to the Samsung Galaxy S26 and targets the mass market. For the first time, the base model features the long-awaited 120 Hz OLED display (ProMotion), making operation significantly smoother. Weighing only 177 g, it is lightweight and appeals to users looking for a reliable, compact smartphone without unnecessary complexity.

Display and Housing

The 6.3-inch OLED display achieves peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits outdoors, which is identical to the Galaxy S26. Apple also introduces the Always-On mode for the standard model. The housing is made of high-quality aluminum and the new Ceramic Shield 2, which is said to be even more resistant to drops.

Performance and Hardware

The A19 chip, combined with 8 GB of RAM, provides performance that will hardly reach its limits even in 2026. The battery, at 3,692 mAh, is smaller than the competition, but thanks to the efficient tuning of iOS, it delivers comparable battery life to the S26. Charging is done via USB-C, with charging speeds remaining conservative.

Video and Camera System

Apple relies on a dual system with two 48 MP sensors (wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle). An optical 2x zoom is simulated through software cropping of the main sensor but cannot quite compete with the real 3x zoom of the Galaxy S26. However, in the video department, the iPhone remains unbeaten: 4K60 recordings with the new "Log" profile for the base series enable professional results.

Software and Galaxy AI (Apple Intelligence)

The device runs on iOS 26 (or iOS 19, depending on the counting method), which offers deeply integrated "Apple Intelligence" features. These include automatic text corrections, generative image creation (Genmoji), and a significantly smarter Siri that can now utilize contextual information across apps. Apple guarantees software support for at least 6 years.

Conclusion and Price-Performance Ratio

Starting at around €829 (market price for 256 GB), the iPhone 17 is surprisingly competitive by Apple standards. With the 120 Hz display, the main argument against the standard model is eliminated, making it a serious threat to the Galaxy S26.