So, if you’ve been stuck with an iPhone 13 or older, this might actually be the best time to upgrade. Why? Because this year Apple has finally given us the bare minimum that was missing from the base iPhone lineup — and honestly, about time. The gap between a Pro and a non-Pro model is now smaller than the band gap of silicon (yes, nerd alert, but accurate enough for us).
Like clockwork, Apple doesn’t reinvent the wheel every year. The iPhone 17 doesn’t look radically different from the iPhone 16, but subtle refinements make it feel fresher.
Star of the show: Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple claims is up to 3× more scratch-resistant.
Translation: your iPhone stays beautiful longer instead of looking like you carried it in the same pocket as your keys.
This year, Apple finally brought something fans (and critics) have been begging for — ProMotion.
For years, Apple insisted that “normal people don’t notice 60Hz vs 120Hz.” Let me tell you, once you’ve scrolled on a 120Hz screen, going back feels like watching a flipbook from the 1920s.
In plain English: you’ll see your shows, not your face, when binge-watching Netflix in bed.
Powering all of this is Apple’s new A19 chip — the kind of silicon sorcery that makes you wonder why we still lug laptops around.
Some things it handles effortlessly:
Apple says the A19 delivers major CPU and GPU gains. They compared it to the iPhone 15 Plus — with up to 80% faster GPU performance and 40% faster CPU. Classic Apple move: pick an older model so the numbers sound extra impressive.
Here’s where Apple loves to flex.
And yes, the base model now starts at 256GB storage — finally, no need to delete memes just to fit vacation photos.
Apple, as usual, keeps battery specs vague. They’ll say things like “one more hour than before” instead of actual mAh.
What we do know:
From personal experience in India’s summers (where phones feel like frying pans) — battery health depends heavily on usage. Two friends, same iPhone 14, bought six months apart → one at 80% health, the other at 74%.
Moral of the story: battery life is subjective — take opinions with a pinch of salt. Or two.
Running on iOS 26, the iPhone 17 feels familiar: smooth, reliable, and just a bit restrictive compared to Android. But you’ll adapt faster than the A19 processes a Instagram filter. and let's just not talk about Apple Intelligence for now there is nothing to talk about it for now atleaset.
Now, let’s talk about what happens after you buy this beauty.
In my area, Apple service centers are hands-down the best. They’re polite, professional, and will treat your iPhone like it’s a crown jewel.
The only catch? They’ll also charge you like it’s a crown jewel. Sometimes it feels like they bill you for just breathing near the Genius Bar. Need them to touch your phone? That’ll cost you. Need them to look at your phone? Still costly.
It’s premium service, no doubt — but it comes at a very Apple price tag.
The iPhone 17 isn’t revolutionary, but for once the base model doesn’t feel like the “cheap sibling” of the Pro.
120Hz Display
Bigger 6.3-inch screen
Better ultra-wide camera
Ceramic Shield 2
Beastly A19 chip
If you’re on an iPhone 13 or older, this is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.
If you’re rocking a 15 or 16, you can hold off — unless smoother scrolling makes your heart race.
Apple finally gave us the bare minimum — and somehow, it feels like a big deal.
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