Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why should someone buy the Plus instead of the standard iPhone 17?
It comes down to two massive factors: screen size and battery life. The 6.7-inch display is vastly superior for watching Netflix, playing games, reading long articles, and typing comfortably with two hands compared to the 6.1-inch standard model. Furthermore, because of the larger physical size, it houses a much bigger battery. If you despise having to charge your phone during the day, the 17 Plus is the absolute best choice in Apple's entire lineup.
Q2: Is it unacceptable that a 90k phone still only has a 60Hz display?
This remains the most controversial aspect of the standard and Plus iPhones. While almost every Android phone above 15k features a buttery-smooth 120Hz display, Apple strictly reserves their 'ProMotion' 120Hz technology for their expensive 'Pro' models. If you are upgrading from an older iPhone 12 or 13, you won't notice the 60Hz screen at all. However, if you are switching from a 120Hz Android device, the scrolling will initially feel slightly choppy and less fluid.
Q3: Are the cameras a massive downgrade from the Pro Max?
For everyday photography, no. The 17 Plus uses the exact same incredible 48MP main sensor, which captures staggering detail and uses the center 12-megapixels for a flawless, lossless 2x optical-quality zoom. The only thing you are truly missing is the dedicated 5x telephoto periscope lens for extreme zooming, and the ability to shoot ProRes video. For 95% of users, the 17 Plus camera is absolutely phenomenal.
Q4: How powerful is the A19 Bionic chip?
It is astonishingly powerful. Apple does not cut corners on their standard models; the 17 Plus gets the exact same 3nm A19 silicon as the base iPhone 17. It completely destroys almost every Android processor on the market in raw single-core speed. This guarantees that the phone will load heavy 3D games instantly, render 4K video exports in seconds, and stay incredibly fast and fluid for the next 5 to 6 years.
Q5: Does it feature the Dynamic Island and Action Button?
Yes, Apple has completely unified the design language across the entire series. The ugly top notch is gone, replaced by the highly interactive Dynamic Island, which expands to show your Spotify tracks, timers, and live sports scores. Additionally, the old mechanical mute switch has been replaced by the solid-state Action Button, which you can program to instantly open your camera, turn on the flashlight, or run a complex smart home shortcut.
Q6: How long does the battery actually last in real life?
The battery endurance is nothing short of legendary. Because the A19 chip is ultra-efficient, iOS 19 aggressively manages background tasks, and the display is locked at a power-saving 60Hz, the massive 4383mAh battery drains incredibly slowly. Even heavy users who spend hours on Instagram, YouTube, and GPS navigation will comfortably get a full two days of usage on a single charge. It is almost impossible to kill this phone in one day.
Q7: Does it fully support the new 'Apple Intelligence' AI features?
Absolutely. Apple ensures that all modern iPhones are equipped with 8GB of RAM and the incredibly powerful A19 Neural Engine specifically to run on-device generative AI. You can use the completely context-aware, highly intelligent Siri, generate custom emojis on the fly, automatically summarize long email threads, and intelligently remove photobombers from your pictures without experiencing any lag or relying heavily on cloud servers.
Q8: Is the phone incredibly heavy to hold?
At 201 grams, it is undeniably a large and substantial device, but it is actually much lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which uses a heavier stainless steel or titanium frame. The 17 Plus uses an aerospace-grade aluminum frame, which keeps the weight manageable while maintaining excellent structural rigidity. However, the massive 6.7-inch screen means it is strictly a two-handed device for most people.
Q9: Does it finally have a universal USB-C port?
Yes, adhering to global electronic regulations, the entire iPhone 17 lineup features a standard USB-C port at the bottom. This brings immense convenience to your life; you can finally use the exact same charging cable to power your MacBook, your iPad, and your massive iPhone Plus, completely eliminating the need to carry a proprietary, easily frayed Lightning cable when you travel.
Q10: How durable is the glass back and front screen?
The front display is protected by Apple's cutting-edge Ceramic Shield 2, which is infused with nano-ceramic crystals, making it highly resistant to shattering from waist-height drops onto concrete. The color-infused glass back is also toughened against scratches. Furthermore, the phone maintains a flawless IP68 water and dust resistance rating, meaning it can easily survive being fully submerged in 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.