Me and my wife currently own a 16 Pro Max and a 15 Plus. I just ordered two base 17s as an upgrade for us. I am not paying anything extra for this but this move allows me to move to a phone with better brightness, better processor, less weight at the cost of a telephoto lens. My wife of course gets an upgrade for obvious reasons. Anyone else making a similar move from Pros to base? Just a bit tired of carrying around a heavy slab.
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Other Pro to Base 17 Thread
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I own a 15 Pro and plan to upgrade to the 20th anniversary iPhone, at the earliest. Hopefully by then we will have had a stainless steel iPhone in the line-up again, I'd buy that immediately.
For now, I don't see any reason to change phones because going from my 15 Pro to any phone in the current line-up doesn't look like an upgrade. The only reason I'd change is if my phone was too heavy as now you can switch to a standard 17 and still have ProMotion.
For now, I don't see any reason to change phones because going from my 15 Pro to any phone in the current line-up doesn't look like an upgrade. The only reason I'd change is if my phone was too heavy as now you can switch to a standard 17 and still have ProMotion.
I have a 15 pro and i have ordered a standard 17 in white. I get terrible battery life on my 15 pro so was going to upgrade to a 17 pro but the only reason i got a pro in the first place was due to promotion and always on display. Now the base phone has these, i don't need a pro. I don’t game and I don’t take many photos so i can save a load of money.
The lack of discussion of the base phone here is shocking. This is best value Apple has had in years.
Yes the Pros are best selling but they are overkill for probably 90% of users. Theyre a status symbol.
And now with the promotion screen they equalized the biggest obvious difference between the base and pro lines. And yes the Pros have a better camera but it’s still overkill for most users.
Personally I’m upgrading from the 16 base to the 17 base for the screen alone (I’m handing down my 16 to my kid and trading in her 15 for a 17 so no money out of pocket).
You can literally buy an Apple Watch or AirPods Pro for the price delta between the base 17 and pro 17.
Yes the Pros are best selling but they are overkill for probably 90% of users. Theyre a status symbol.
And now with the promotion screen they equalized the biggest obvious difference between the base and pro lines. And yes the Pros have a better camera but it’s still overkill for most users.
Personally I’m upgrading from the 16 base to the 17 base for the screen alone (I’m handing down my 16 to my kid and trading in her 15 for a 17 so no money out of pocket).
You can literally buy an Apple Watch or AirPods Pro for the price delta between the base 17 and pro 17.
Twins! Same exact situation and decided last minute against the Air, felt a little gimmicky and the base was surprisingly more similar to the Pro than I expected. I think the Pros end up being overkill for 2/3 of people. I also didn't want to go much bigger as the width is already causing some hand strain, but overall like the size/screen/feel/weight with the Speck cases I always get.
I agree. Almost no discussion here but in nearly all of the videos/reviews/comparisons, the base comes up as the best value and for many, option, overall. It's honestly what I think a lot of people wanted and needed for a while ,but the previous bases were a bit limited and the Pros too much.
Selling my AC replacement 15 Pro will get me just about what the new 17 will cost. A bit over $700 for a non stripped down 256 newest model is a "steal" honestly!
Agree!
17 Base and 17 Air are perfect for the majority of regular users.
Since I don't use the Pro features on my 16 Pro and now trading it in for the Air.
You are correct - a lot of Pro owners consider anything less sacrilegious.
Same here....16pro to 17. As I get older, I am looking for lighter and less bulk. The only thing I may miss is the zoom at all the Metallica concerts I plan to still attend.
Think there be any sort of noticeable (meaningful, though teeny) difference between the physical size and look of the slightly different 17 base from the 15 pro? I really love the Pro but didn't want anything bigger, so curious if it will feel / look pretty much the same. That was one of the main reasons we didn't do the Air. For me the 15PM to this, and DH is going from a 13 Mini (LOL - but for a busy rough job that size was perfect! Finally decided he just couldn't take that size anymore as far as using/viewing.) Hopefully, we will both be in our sweet spot with the 17 base.
The lack of zoom in rare instances is worth giving up for the better size and weight and other advantages such as screen, battery, processor etc. RAM wise both are the same. And I've always felt that though the telephoto is nice, I've never been able to actually get a super usable shot using that ever. Thats probably an error on my end and not the phone. Low light telephoto shots are trash anyway.Same here....16pro to 17. As I get older, I am looking for lighter and less bulk. The only thing I may miss is the zoom at all the Metallica concerts I plan to still attend.
I am sick of carrying a shipping container in my pant pockets.
Yes, absolutely. I am going from the 16 Pro Max to the 17.
I honestly was expecting to get the 17 Pro (not Max) before the keynote. I assumed that only the Pros were getting the brighter screens.
Much to my surprise, the base 17 got pretty much everything I wanted. (Telephoto would have been ideal, but I didn't expect it.)
My new slab will be 50 grams lighter. That is a huge difference.
In one year, I'll get the folding iPhone. I'm fine with going heavier next year if it means a tablet in my pocket.
Same situation here—I’m considering moving from the 15 Pro Max to the base 17. My 15 Pro Max is at 90% battery health, and one key point many people aren’t highlighting is how much better the A19 is optimized for iOS 26. Even the iOS 26 RC hasn’t been great on battery life for the 15 Pro Max.
What really surprised me is the new selfie camera upgrade on the base 17—something I didn’t expect Apple to include. Add to that: one hour longer battery life compared to the 15 Pro Max, the more efficient A19 chip, the new 48MP fusion cameras, dual-camera recording, improved iOS 26 optimization, a brighter screen in sunlight, and the new anti-reflective coating. Altogether, I think these upgrades make the switch genuinely worthwhile.
What really surprised me is the new selfie camera upgrade on the base 17—something I didn’t expect Apple to include. Add to that: one hour longer battery life compared to the 15 Pro Max, the more efficient A19 chip, the new 48MP fusion cameras, dual-camera recording, improved iOS 26 optimization, a brighter screen in sunlight, and the new anti-reflective coating. Altogether, I think these upgrades make the switch genuinely worthwhile.
Thanks for saying this. I feel this so much. And I'm shocked about it too. As a long time Pro buyer I'm so happy that I can just get the 17 now and spend the rest on the AW.
Oh yes, the new AW is amazing!
Which AW are you getting ?
Having had the S9 which has been great, I am going up to iPhone 17 base pricing - $799 for the Ultra Watch 3.
Need the satellite messaging service for an aviation emergency.
Blood oxygen is also very important for high altitude flights....
Which most ppl will not notice anyway lol. Some people make it sound like the base 17 makes bad pictures compared to the 17 Pro
Exactly. Smaller sensor? Sure. But can you honestly tell the difference in 95% photos? No.
Thinking to trade in my 14PM and get a base 17! I detest the bulkiness of my current phone. 3 years and I still don’t like it. Yes, screen is pretty but I never watch videos nor play videogames on my phone. I have an iPad for that. Battery on the base model seems excellent too nowadays. Very tempted for a delta of £400.
Yes, I am so glad I am dumping the heavy, bulky Pro 16 that I am trading in (thankfully).
I was going to get the base 17, but the sleek Air just grabbed me even knowing I have never touched it!
I did order a AW11, had the AW7 before, should be a nice little upgrade. An Ultra would be overkill for me, for me the Watch is more a "nice to have" thing than something necessary. Hope you enjoy your Ultra.
In the same boat here. Just cancelled an order for a 17 PM. Previously had a 15 Pro but I really don't take many photos and ultimately the standard camera is more than good enough 95% of the time. Other reason I'd bought Pro's before was for ProMotion but now the base 17 has it, I'd rather get that and save the £300-£400. Plus the 17 should have better battery life than my old 15 Pro.
I am not sure what I'd exactly do in the sitaution but I might have still gone with 17 because carry a brick with me at all times has just become really annoying. And with a toddler its becomes even more important to be able to hold and manage a device singlehandedly.
i have the 15 pro, and the only feature i really cared about that stopped me from getting a base iphone in the past was pro-motion. I usually upgrade every 2 years but the base 17 feels like mostly a side-grade from the 15 pro. 12gb ram might have made me feel different. i'll wait for some reviews and then make a decision
I would be getting the base 17 myself but just upgraded to the base 16 back in April and it works for me lol already spent enough money to get it
15 Pro to the Base 17 🤘🏽 couldn’t be happier with my decision!