iPhone 17 Series: Is Now the Time to Buy?

Wide shots held in portrait orientation are not supported because the sensor cannot handle it, so the button itself has been removed. This can be an inconvenience especially for users who create content often, such as YouTubers.

Ju-yeon said, "Shooting with the phone held vertically and slightly tilted feels a bit less embarrassing than holding it wide sideways. I've been a YouTuber for seven years and I'm still embarrassed by it, so this is really great for me." She expressed regret over the lack of landscape shooting.

This is noted as a shortcoming even for the standard model, which has already moved beyond 60Hz. Wired charging stays around 20W, and MagSafe wireless charging reaches only about 15W, which is also flagged as slower than the other models.

Ju-yeon said, "The display refresh rate on this one is still 60Hz. It's the only 60Hz model in the 17 series. Even the standard model has moved on, and this one is using a 60Hz screen, a relic of the past." She pointed out the 17e's outdated specs.

The iPhone 17e also uses a notch rather than the Dynamic Island on its front. Some connectivity standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also older versions, and UWB (ultra-wideband) is missing, so features like Precision Finding cannot be used. Overall, the 17e was released with much of the latest technology and features left out.

Ju-yeon said, "Even from the front, this one has a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, several small things like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth use older standards, and UWB is missing too." She described in detail the features the 17e lacks.

Its square sensor and ultra-wide camera offer specs that hold up well even against the Pro models.

Ju-yeon said, "Maybe because of this, Apple finally added a 120Hz refresh rate. And so a boring phone has become the best-value iPhone." She highlighted the change in the standard 17 model.

This shows Apple is cleverly staggering its device launches. As a result, buying the current standard iPhone 17 is expected to be a safe choice for now.

Ju-yeon said, "This year there won't be a standard iPhone 18. Apple has cleverly split up its release timing this time." She explained Apple's launch strategy and why buying the 17 standard makes sense.

The iPhone Air is the thinnest and lightest of the four models, giving high satisfaction when held. However, its mono speaker, performance throttling due to heat, and rapid battery drain are pointed out as persistent weaknesses. The Air has a distinct character and appeal that is hard to find elsewhere, but it comes with several inconveniences.

Ju-yeon said, "Among these four, I think the Air is the least cost-effective choice, but at the same time, the Air has its own sensibility and characteristics, so there's an appeal you can't feel with the others." She noted the mixed strengths and weaknesses of the Air.

This can be a major obstacle for users who change phones often. Because users must switch devices without a physical SIM, those who need frequent device changes are pointed out as likely to hesitate before buying.

Ju-yeon said, "Since I change phones so often, whether or not you can insert a physical SIM matters a lot, and this one doesn't even have a slot for a physical SIM." She stressed the inconvenience of having no physical SIM.

There is advice that rather than the current iPhone Air, it's better to wait for the next-generation Air 2. The Air 2 is expected to add an ultra-wide camera and a dual-camera setup. It is also expected to adopt a vapor chamber for heat management and slightly increase battery capacity, so waiting for an improved model that fixes the current model's shortcomings is considered the wiser choice.

Ju-yeon said, "I'd recommend waiting for the Air 2, which will come out next time, rather than this Air." She expressed her expectations for the Air 2.

The assessment is that it has transformed into a device best suited to professionals with clear usage purposes, rather than a habitual purchase. The prevailing view is that it is somewhat awkward to recommend buying the 17 Pro right now.

Ju-yeon said, "Honestly, it's a bit awkward to tell you all to buy the 17 Pro right now." She urged caution when considering a Pro model.

The telephoto camera, which supports 4x optical zoom and 8x digital zoom, is found only in the Pro model across the four-model lineup. The vapor chamber also effectively dissipates heat and maintains high performance, and support for ProRes and Log recording gives it strengths for professional video work. In this way, the Pro model offers features optimized for professional-level photo and video shooting and high-performance tasks.

Ju-yeon said, "First of all, it's the camera. Especially the telephoto. Among the entire four-model lineup, the Pro is the only one that includes telephoto." She emphasized the core features of the Pro model.

Given the overall upward trend in iPhone prices, the current period may be the best time to buy the 17 Pro.

Ju-yeon said, "It's actually better to buy the 17 Pro right now, so that when the 18 Pro comes out, I can view it more comfortably. Maybe the iPhone is cheapest right now." She emphasized the advantage of buying now.

In the iPhone 17 lineup, the differences between models have grown sharper, making it very important to choose the model that suits you. In the past, paying more simply got you better features and performance, but now, even if you buy a higher-tier Pro model, its meaning can fade if the features are useless to you. Apple's strategy to absorb new markets such as foldable phones is expected to strengthen further, which will make users' choices even more complex.

Ju-yeon said, "In the past, if you paid more and bought something better, you could do more and it got better in proportion, but now even if you pay for a higher lineup like Pro, if it's not useful to you, it can become a choice that means little." She stressed the importance of choosing what fits you.