Which iPhone 17 Model Should Android Users Consider?

[justseyi]

So, Apple just dropped the iPhone 17 series, and here I am—a lifelong Android user who hasn’t touched an iPhone since the iPhone 6—actually tempted. Yes, tempted. Every year Apple creeps a little closer to pulling me in, and this year, I’m seriously weighing it.

The question is no longer “should I get an iPhone?” It’s “which iPhone makes sense if you’re crossing over from Android?” Let’s dig in.

Read this:

• AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: What’s New, What’s Familiar
• I Spent Time With the iPhone 17 Pro — And There’s a Lot to Like
• iOS 26 Public Beta 6 Is Here: Is Your iPhone Eligible?

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iPhone 17: The “Basic” iPhone Finally Grows Up

I used to roll my eyes at the base iPhone. It always felt like the “budget” sibling—fine for loyal Apple fans but unimpressive compared to Android flagships in the same price bracket.

This year? Different story.

• Finally: a 120Hz OLED display.
  No more settling for 60Hz in 2025. Apple gives the iPhone 17 a buttery-smooth 1–120Hz panel. Honestly, about time. Even better—it actually beats the Pixel 10’s 60–120Hz refresh rate.

• Charging that doesn’t feel ancient.
  Hit 50% in just 20 minutes, and wireless charging speeds climb to 25W with Qi2 MagSafe. Compare that to the Galaxy S25’s 15W wireless cap, and suddenly the “cheap iPhone” doesn’t look so cheap.

• Cameras: fewer, but smarter.
  Only two lenses on the back, but the Center Stage selfie cam makes framing easier—great for TikTok, FaceTime, or just avoiding awkward group selfies.

Here’s the kicker: at $800, the iPhone 17 gives you 256GB of storage right out of the box. That’s double what Samsung and Google typically start you with. Sure, it’s running on less RAM than its Android rivals, but the value here is undeniable.

Verdict? For the first time, the base iPhone is actually worth recommending—even to Android fans.

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iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max: The Real Temptation

Now, if the iPhone 17 has me nodding along, the Pro models have me actively reaching for my wallet.

• Triple 48MP camera system.
  Think cinematic photos, ProRes RAW video, and a new telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom (and 8x “optical-quality” zoom). The Galaxy S25 Ultra still stretches a little further with 5x and 10x zoom, but Apple’s close—shockingly close—with fewer sensors.

• Raw power.
  The A19 Pro chip looks like it could bench-press the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Toss in Neural Accelerators, and Apple’s flexing hard on performance—though, to be fair, Google and Samsung’s AI features still feel a little more polished.

• Design with personality.
  Look, I’ll say it: Samsung’s designs bore me now. And while I love the Pixel’s vibe, the Pro versions come in safe colors. Apple, meanwhile, gives us Cosmic Orange. Cosmic. Orange. Combine that with the glass-and-aluminum build, and suddenly it’s the most stylish phone in the room.

If you shoot a lot of photos, dabble in video, or just want the “no compromises” iPhone experience, the Pro and Pro Max are where the real magic happens.

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iPhone 17 Air: Thin, Gorgeous… and Frustrating

The wild card of the bunch is the iPhone Air—Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever. Honestly, it’s gorgeous. Sleek. Almost too sleek. But beauty comes with trade-offs.

• Only one rear camera.
  That’s right—one. No ultrawide, no telephoto. Even the Galaxy S25 Edge, nearly as thin, manages to squeeze in a second lens.

• Mono audio.
  A single top-mounted speaker kills the stereo sound. For some, not a big deal. For me? Dealbreaker.

• Battery concerns.
  Apple promises “all-day” battery, but I’ll believe it when I see it. A frame this slim usually means you’re living life tethered to a MagSafe charger.

Don’t get me wrong: the Air is stunning. But right now it feels like a concept phone in disguise. More a preview of what’s coming (hello, iPhone foldable?) than a must-buy today.

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Quick Comparison: iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S25 vs Pixel 10

Feature	iPhone 17	Galaxy S25	Pixel 10
Starting Price	$800 (256GB)	$900 (128GB)	$850 (128GB)
Display	6.1″ OLED, 1–120Hz	6.2″ AMOLED, 1–120Hz	6.2″ OLED, 60–120Hz
Main Cameras	Dual (48MP + 12MP)	Triple (50MP + 12MP + 10MP)	Dual (50MP + 12MP)
Selfie Camera	12MP w/ Center Stage	12MP	10.8MP
Processor	A18 Bionic	Snapdragon 8 Elite	Google Tensor G5
RAM	8GB	12GB	12GB
Charging	20W wired, 25W MagSafe	45W wired, 15W wireless	30W wired, 20W wireless
Battery	~4,000mAh (est.)	4,200mAh	4,300mAh
Special Sauce	iOS ecosystem + long updates	S Pen support (Ultra), DeX	AI-first features + best still photos

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The Android Switcher’s Takeaway

• The iPhone 17 finally stops being the “cheap compromise” and starts being a legit option. If you’re switching for value, this is your lane.

• The iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max are the heavy hitters: better cameras, faster silicon, bolder design. If you want the best, go here.

• The iPhone Air? It’s pretty, but too many sacrifices for too high a price. Unless thinness is your entire personality, skip it.

If you’re an Android user ready to cross the aisle, start with the iPhone 17 for value or iPhone 17 Pro for performance. Those are the models that will make you forget you ever hesitated.

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