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As a new year approaches, some people are considering upgrading their tech, specifically their smartphones.
This year, Apple released the new iPhone 17 and its other variants, as well as its latest iOS 26 software update. All of these things have generated a buzz online, and tech experts and influencers have begun reviewing them on social media. Read below on a tech writer’s take and whether or not it’s worth buying the new iPhone right away.
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Some Perks That Come With The New iPhone 17
This year was an exciting year for tech and Apple enthusiasts, as they released their latest line of new iPhones, the iPhone 17. It's caused a lot of buzz in the tech world, given that it has a handful of new features.
For starters, Apple released the iPhone 17 Air, a super-thin and lightweight edition of the iPhone that's the first of its kind and great for any users who feel their smartphone is too heavy. Abrar Al-Heeti, a Senior Technology Reporter for CNET, recently reviewed the iPhone 17 and compared it to other models of iPhones, most notably the preceding model, the iPhone 16. She noted that the new phone's display and camera might make it worth it to some users.
"The display goes from a meager 60Hz on the iPhone 16 to 120Hz on the iPhone 17 (at long last)," she wrote. "That means the iPhone 17 finally supports an always-on display, so you can glance at the time and your notifications without waking the screen and enjoy smoother scrolling. A new anti-reflective coating helps reduce glare, especially in the bright outdoor conditions."
The new and improved camera has been causing a lot of buzz as well, as not only does it have more megapixels, but it also has a few more features.
"A new Center Stage feature can automatically adjust selfie photos from portrait orientation to landscape to ensure everyone is in the shot, so you don't have to manually rotate your phone to its side anymore," added Al-Heeti. "Dual Capture lets you simultaneously record on your front and back cameras. These upgrades are specifically catered to the latest iPhone lineup, so that they won't be coming to older models like the iPhone 16, even with an iOS 26 update."
Is It Worth Rushing To Buy The iPhone 17?
At the end of the day, if your phone desperately needs an upgrade and you can comfortably afford the new iPhone 17, which costs around $800 for the base model, then go for it!
However, if money is a little tight or you don't necessarily care about having the newest iPhone in your possession, tech pros, including Al-Heeti, find that you can likely wait on it and still be comfortable with your phone. Or, if anything, only upgrade to the iPhone 16.
"While the updates to the iPhone 17 help it stand out as an all-around solid device, the changes over last year's iPhone 16 are incremental enough that there's not much reason to upgrade -- unless you're really excited about that smoother display and faster charging," she writes. "But for most people, subtle differences mean you should probably just hold onto your iPhone 16."
