I 'downgraded' my iPhone 15 Pro Max to a regular iPhone 17 — and I have zero regrets
Due to Apple's price increases this year, I traded my iPhone 15 Pro Max and ended up buying a base iPhone 17 instead. And I have zero regrets about it.
For every few years, the writer finds themselves caught in the classic Apple upgrade loop. This time, they were ready to upgrade to the iPhone 18 Pro Max but found the prices too high, even with trade-in values. My trusty iPhone was aging, and with declining battery health and a minor USB-C port issue, I decided to step away from the iPhone Pro tier altogether.
Trading in my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I opted for a base 256GB iPhone 17, saving $600 compared to getting the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The decision felt like a relief to my wallet, as trade-in values made the switch affordable. The smaller screen, lack of Pro camera features, and smaller battery were not a significant downgrade for me, as I realized the base iPhone 17 offered great value with ProMotion display technology, improved performance, and a durable Ceramic Shield screen.
My biggest reason for buying a Pro iPhone was the extra telephoto lens, but the iPhone 17's dual camera system was an upgrade, with the Center Stage front camera making video calls more personal. Despite the trade-offs, I now charge my phone only once every two days and find the base model's features more than sufficient for my needs.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
