Hey,

Welcome back to Experiments in Progress!

This week was Apple’s big iPhone 17 reveal — and for once, it wasn’t just more of the same.

Even the base model finally got real upgrades, while the Pro models added some surprisingly useful (and fun) features.

Here’s what’s inside:

Let’s dive in 👇

Apple’s iPhone 17 launch didn’t just give us the usual “faster, brighter, better” claims.

Even the base model finally feels competitive, and the Pro models push things further.

Here are the 10 features that actually stand out.

For years, Apple kept its smooth ProMotion displays locked to higher-end phones, while Android flagships made 120Hz the default.

The base iPhone 17 now has a 120Hz refresh rate and a blinding 3000 nits of peak brightness.

Add the new anti-reflective coating, and this is the first base iPhone that feels ready for real outdoor use.

Apple’s slides say “nearly 100% faster,” which is marketing fluff — but the takeaway is real speed.

Gaming, photo processing, and multitasking are all noticeably smoother, especially if you’re upgrading from a phone that’s more than a couple years old.

Apple still won’t give real battery stats, sticking to the vague “all-day battery life.”

But the confirmed update is 50% charge in 20 minutes — a catch-up move that makes daily top-ups way less painful.

The TrueDepth front camera now brings better low-light performance and sharper selfies across all iPhone 17 models.

It’s not a radical redesign, but the consistency across the lineup means even the base model gets the same selfie quality as the Pro.

Apple’s computational photography got a boost this year. The system can now automatically adjust framing in both video and stills to capture more people or focus on just one subject.

It’s subtle, but it makes casual shooting less of a hassle — especially for group shots.

Apple nailed the aesthetic flex this year.

The new Orange Pro color option is striking, instantly recognizable, and almost certain to sell out first.

If you want your phone to double as a style statement, this is the one.

The iPhone 17 Pro models come with a vapor chamber cooled by deionized water — basically liquid cooling in your pocket.

Expect fewer slowdowns under heavy use, especially compared to the iPhone 17 Air, which runs the same chip but without the cooling system.

Apple’s new Fusion system combines data from multiple lenses to produce sharper, more versatile shots.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max now supports up to 6x telephoto zoom — a serious step up that makes long-range photography more practical without extra gear.

Apple improved Night Mode and low-light shooting across the iPhone 17 lineup. Photos and videos are clearer, with better color accuracy and less grain.

It doesn’t guarantee a Pixel “killer,” but it does close the gap — especially for video, where iPhones already had an edge.

Maybe the biggest takeaway: the iPhone 17 doesn’t just feel like an incremental step.

Between the display improvements, cooling system, new camera tricks, and even fun extras like the orange finish, this year’s lineup has something for almost everyone.

For longtime iPhone owners — and even frustrated Android users — it finally feels like a reason to switch or upgrade.

💬 Are you team Orange Pro, or is another feature more tempting? I’d love to hear your pick:

After filming this week’s show, I hit record again to share the unscripted side of testing iOS 26 and the iPhone 17 rumors:

Unfiltered takes, random rants, and way too much honesty about my upgrade habits.

Got a friend who’d get this? Hit forward:

Next week, I’ll break down the apps that work seamlessly across iPhone and Android — no matter which ecosystem you’re in.

I’ll be covering:

📅 See you next Thursday.

I want these issues to be genuinely useful (and fun) for you — so tell me: