The video begins with an unboxing of the new iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, along with various accessories. The host shares initial impressions after using the devices for nearly a week. Starting with the iPhone 17 in sage, the unboxing experience is similar to last year, with a USB-C cable and SIM ejector included. Performance tests show the iPhone 17 charges faster than the iPhone 16, and its new anti-reflective screen coating reduces reflections by about a third, though still not as effectively as Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. The front camera offers a wider shot rather than more detail, with a unique square sensor that allows for both portrait and landscape selfies without rotating the phone, improving video calls with Center Stage.
Moving on to the iPhone 17 Air, the packaging is nearly identical to the iPhone 17 but lacks a SIM ejector due to its eSIM-only design. Performance tests reveal a surprising weakness: despite having the technically superior A19 Pro chip, the Air’s peak performance is significantly lower than the iPhone 17’s A19 chip, likely due to thermal constraints in its thin titanium body. Cooling the phone temporarily improves performance, but it quickly drops again. The Air also features a single front-facing speaker that, while better than older single-speaker phones, is noticeably quieter and less full than the dual-speaker setup on other iPhones. Portrait mode on the Air struggles in challenging scenarios due to having only one camera, and the USB-C port is custom 3D printed and slightly off-center to fit the thin design.
The video then covers the new accessories, including the Apple silicon case for the iPhone 17, which is comfortable and rated 7 out of 10, and the iPhone Air cases, which vary in quality. The standard Air case is fragile and easily deformed, while the pricier $40 bumper case feels premium and protective. A new crossbody strap accessory is introduced, but the host finds it impractical, especially in urban environments. The MagSafe battery pack is well-made but seems contradictory for Air users who might need it to match the battery life of larger Pro models, making it a less appealing lifestyle choice. The AirPods Pro 3 are praised for their improved soundstage, deeper bass, and superior noise cancellation compared to the previous generation, though the tighter fit and heavier design may reduce comfort on long journeys.
Regarding the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, the host appreciates the new colors, especially the cosmic orange, and finds the phones more comfortable to hold due to smoother metal edges. Signal strength is improved thanks to a new antenna design, with faster 5G speeds and better connectivity in challenging locations. However, the Pro models come in two versions: eSIM-only for the US and physical SIM for other regions like the UK, with the latter reportedly having two hours less battery life. The phones feature advanced thermal management, including a centrally placed chip and laser-welded vapor chamber, but performance stability improvements over the previous generation are modest. The 48-megapixel telephoto lens offers some improvement but is not a dramatic upgrade, while portrait mode benefits from better software processing for enhanced detail and skin tones.
Finally, the video highlights the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro gimbal, praised as a versatile accessory that enhances video stability and functionality. It serves multiple roles, including selfie stick, tripod, teleprompter, and power bank, and features subject tracking that works with any camera app, including the iPhone’s default camera and Instagram. The host emphasizes the gimbal’s ability to elevate video quality and encourages viewers to check out the product with a special discount offer. Overall, the video provides a detailed look at the new iPhones and accessories, balancing praise for improvements with candid critiques of performance, design choices, and accessory practicality.
