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As 2025 draws to an end, it’s the perfect moment to review Apple’s achievements over the year and identify the standout products. This was a remarkable year for Apple enthusiasts, marked by the launch of cutting-edge devices such as the iPhone 17, AirPods Pro 3, and new Mac models. Among these, one device clearly distinguished itself above the rest.
Here’s the reasoning behind designating the iPhone 17 as 9to5Mac’s Product of the Year.
This year’s lineup was unique in that every contender for the award was an iPhone, a first since we began awarding the title in 2020. Apple’s 2025 iPhone series represents its most robust offering in quite some time. The iPhone 17 Pro is distinctly professional-grade, featuring a new vapor chamber cooling system, extended battery life, and a sophisticated camera setup. Meanwhile, the iPhone Air stands out as the most daring redesign since the iPhone X.
Nonetheless, the iPhone 17 impresses as the best overall device in recent years. It embodies the culmination of the past five years of iPhone improvements, since the major redesign introduced with the iPhone 12.
Several key features make the iPhone 17 particularly noteworthy. Most importantly, it is the first non-Pro iPhone to include an Always-On display with ProMotion technology. It also shares the same 18MP front camera with Center Stage as the Pro model, complemented by an upgraded 48MP Ultra Wide lens on the rear.
Zac Hall comments that, although the iPhone 17 isn’t as feature-rich as the Pro or as visually innovative as the Air, it might be the best standard iPhone in the foreseeable future. If Apple delays the release of the next iPhone until spring 2027, the 17 should remain relevant longer than typical models.
He also believes the iPhone Air will be remembered for redefining what an iPhone can be—highlighting that the Air isn’t simply a different size, but a fundamentally different concept, which might encourage future Pro models to emphasize features over slimness.
Ryan Christoffel adds that the iPhone 17 achieves what hasn’t been done for years—an all-around exceptional iPhone without significant compromises. Having previously favored the Pro models, he finds the inclusion of ProMotion and an always-on display pivotal. These features, combined with a storage upgrade to 256GB at the same price of $799, make the device appealing to most users, even if it isn’t his personal choice.
Ben Lovejoy notes that while he didn’t see value in upgrading from his iPhone 16 Pro Max to the new model, the iPhone 17 is a major upgrade over prior standard models. The addition of ProMotion, an always-on display, increased screen size, upgraded cameras, longer battery life—with up to 30 hours of video playback—and doubled base storage to 256GB make the standard variant remarkably comparable to the Pro versions.
Marcus Mendes comments that in Brazil, where iPhones are particularly expensive, the iPhone 17’s expanded features at the same price point as previous models make it a practical recommendation—highlighting that, for the first time, the base model offers many Pro features, redefining what an iPhone is. This change helps justify choosing the standard model without reservations.
Benjamin Mayo emphasizes that the lineup’s strength this year was evident through multiple standout models, notably the bold design of the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the innovative Air. However, the most impactful was the base iPhone 17, which now offers a comprehensive set of features at the same price as its predecessor, even getting cheaper in real terms due to increased storage. It combines the new Center Stage selfie camera, 48MP ultra-wide rear camera, durable Ceramic Shield 2, and a powerful A19 chip, all with the same high-refresh-rate ProMotion display and always-on capabilities as Pro models—an impressive upgrade for most users.
Fernando Silva adds that the iPhone 17’s value stems from closing the gap with Pro models while maintaining the same price. The 120Hz ProMotion display transforms daily use, and the larger 6.3-inch screen enhances usability. The camera system, featuring dual 48MP sensors, offers excellent versatility without the need to move into Pro territory. The increase to 256GB storage further enhances its attractiveness as a complete package, making it the best overall choice for most consumers, which earned it the Product of the Year accolade.
Michael Bower concludes that the iPhone 17 is the ideal choice for most, despite not including the Pro Max variant. It delivers well-rounded performance, with enough improvements to make upgrading worthwhile without overcomplicating the decision, even if it doesn’t surpass the Air in boldness.
Altogether, these perspectives recognize the iPhone 17 as a significant stride forward, balancing innovation, value, and broad appeal—certifying its place as this year’s top product in our view.
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