Apple has unveiled the iPhone 17, promising its most advanced phone yet. But behind the hype, many of its ‘new’ features are already old news in the Android world.
iPhone 17: Apple’s Latest Release Is Long on Hype, Short on Innovation
London, September 2025 — Apple has unveiled the iPhone 17, and once again the world has been told it is witnessing a revolution. In reality, the update is a mix of incremental improvements, familiar design cues, and the usual marketing gloss. For Android users, it all feels suspiciously like déjà vu.
Bigger Display, Familiar Story
The iPhone 17 now boasts a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR screen with 120 Hz ProMotion. Apple highlights a new “Ceramic Shield 2” for durability and peak brightness of 3,000 nits. It is undeniably impressive, but hardly groundbreaking when most Android devices have offered high-refresh panels and robust glass for years.
A New Chip With an Old Pitch
Inside sits Apple’s latest A19 processor, built on a 3-nanometre process. Pro models include a vapor-chamber cooling system. Apple’s claim is sustained high performance. In truth, this mirrors technology that Android manufacturers introduced several cycles ago.
Cameras: More Lenses, More Claims
Apple has added a 48-megapixel “Dual Fusion” system with up to 8× optical zoom on Pro models. The front camera is upgraded to 18 MP and supports Center Stage framing. It is a meaningful step up for Apple loyalists. Android owners, however, may point out that periscope zoom and landscape selfies have been standard for years.
Networking Chip: Apple Discovers Wi-Fi 7
The so-called N1 chip debuts with support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple has presented this as a breakthrough. To the wider industry, it is simply Apple catching up.
The Ultra-Thin iPhone Air
Apple’s thinnest model yet, the iPhone 17 Air, measures just 5.6 mm. It is eSIM-only and powered by the A19 Pro chip. While Apple promotes its sleekness, critics worry about fragility and the practical downsides of eliminating physical SIM support altogether.
Battery and Charging Claims
Apple promises up to 30 hours of video playback, with rapid charging to 50% in 20 minutes using its new 40-watt USB-C adapter. These are strong numbers, though they remain difficult to validate until tested independently. Android devices have offered comparable or superior charging speeds for several years.
Environmental Credentials
The iPhone 17 is manufactured with 30% recycled materials and ships in fibre-based packaging. The company emphasises renewable energy use in production. While commendable, the environmental benefit is undercut by Apple’s own model of annual obsolescence.
Accessories: The Crossbody Strap
A new MagSafe Crossbody Strap retails at £59. Billed as convenient and fashionable, it raises obvious concerns about theft, especially in urban environments.
Rumoured Extras: A Dose of Speculation
Beyond the official launch, rumours circulate of unverified “features”: colour-changing back panels that reflect a user’s mood, rain-repelling coatings, and even so-called “teleporting selfies.” None of these have been substantiated, but their very existence speaks to the mythology that Apple products inspire.
Pricing and Availability
- iPhone 17: £799
- iPhone 17 Air: £999
- iPhone 17 Pro: £1,099
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: £1,199
Pre-orders open September 12, with retail availability from September 19.
The Verdict
The iPhone 17 is undeniably polished. But for Android users, it remains another iteration where Apple packages long-established features as fresh innovations, charges a premium, and watches customers line up. The question is not whether it will sell — it will, in enormous numbers — but whether it advances the smartphone industry in any meaningful way.