• Source:JND
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At its Awe Dropping event on September 9, 2025, Apple took the wraps off its latest lineup of devices, headlined by the all-new iPhone 17. Introduced by CEO Tim Cook at Apple Park, the iPhone 17 is the standard model in this year’s iPhone family, sitting below the Pro models but bringing some exciting upgrades that blur the lines between Apple’s flagship tiers.

Display and Design Upgrades

(For the first time ever, a non-Pro iPhone will also sport ProMotion technology, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate coming to the iPhone 17’s 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.) It's a significant move for those, like me, who appreciate fluid scrolling, crisper animations and just an overall more reactive screen.

It’s even increased the peak brightness to 3,000 nits, which ranks it among the brightest display you can get. The base model receives an upgraded Always-On display, as the already-strong protection gets even stronger with Ceramic Shield 2 a part of the mix. Naturally the device is still IP68 water and dust resistant.

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Camera Improvements

The rear of the iPhone 17 boasts the iPhone 17 is equipped with a dual 48MP Fusion camera system:

  • The main 48MP camera (f/1.6) with sensor-shift OIS is also a 2X telephoto (52mm focal length).
  • There's also the 48MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2) with support for macro photography, promising to deliver those close-up shots in greater detail.
  • The front-facing Centre Stage-enabled selfie camera makes sure you stay in focus on video calls.

With these improvements, Apple narrowed the camera gap between the standard and Pro models big time.

Performance: A19 Chip and Apple Intelligence

The iPhone 17’s processor is the A19 Bionic, which is the follow-up to the A18 from last year. It includes a 16-core Neural Engine, built to accelerate Apple Intelligence — Apple’s AI-driven offer that improves common tasks, from smarter notifications to generative AI tools used throughout apps.

Apple claims:

  • 40% faster CPU performance over the iPhone 16.
  • Higher memory bandwidth for seamless multitasking.
  • More efficient AI inference, enabling on-device intelligence without compromising privacy.

Battery and Charging

Apple has made a huge step forward in battery life:

  • Battery life on the iPhone 17 is up to 8 hours more than the 16.
  • Fast charging is also overhauled — a fast 10-minute charge gives you upwards of 8 hours of usage, and the device can get to 50% charge in less than half an hour.

That makes it one of the most travel- and work-friendly iPhones yet, especially for users who are always tied to their devices during the day.

Price and Availability

Apple has priced the iPhone 17 at $799 (approx. ₹70,400) for the base variant with 256GB of storage. A higher 512GB storage option is also available at a premium.

  • In India, the starting price is ₹82,900.
  • Colour options include Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, White, and Black.
  • Pre-orders open September 12, with deliveries beginning on September 19 across global markets.

The Standard iPhone Grows Up

The iPhone 17 is not just an incrementally updated device. And then Apple further sweetens the pot there with 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On display, dual 48MP cameras, Apple Intelligence, and more on a trenching in flagship for the masses and pushing the extreme edge of possibility for the Pro line.

It still gives plenty of space for the Pro and Pro Max — which add in a periscope telephoto lens and satellite communication, among other things — but for the vast majority of users, the iPhone 17 delivers rapid speeds, gorgeous display quality and AI-infused functionality at a much less gaping price tag.

Final Takeaway

With the iPhone 17, Apple has raised the bar for its standard iPhone. It’s no longer just a “base model” but a true flagship experience in its own right — delivering cutting-edge performance, better cameras, and smarter AI features at a price that undercuts the Pro models. For many, this might just be the sweet spot in Apple’s 2025 lineup.