Apple’s iPhone 17 finally gets the upgrades users have been waiting for — a smoother 120Hz display, brighter screen, stronger protection, and better cameras. It may look familiar, but beneath the surface, it’s faster, smarter, and more polished. Here’s why the iPhone 17 feels like the most well-rounded iPhone yet.
Familiar design, but more refined At first glance, the iPhone 17 looks a lot like the iPhone 16 — same vertical dual cameras, same minimal aesthetic. But there are subtle upgrades that make it feel fresher. The screen is now slightly larger at 6.3 inches, and the bezels are slimmer, giving it a more immersive look. The new shades like Sage Green and Mist Blue add a nice touch of personality. It’s comfortable to hold, lightweight at 177g, and the soft matte back resists smudges beautifully. It’s a familiar design that’s simply been fine-tuned.
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The 120Hz display finally arrives This is the iPhone 17’s biggest win. Apple has finally added a 120Hz ProMotion display to the regular model, and it changes everything. Scrolling feels fluid, animations are seamless, and gaming is smoother than ever. The screen also gets brighter, hitting 3,000 nits, and includes an anti-reflective coating — so even under harsh sunlight, it stays perfectly legible. Add to that the new Always-On display and improved Ceramic Shield 2 protection, and you have a screen that feels both premium and practical. Once you experience this refresh rate, there’s no going back.
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The 120Hz display finally arrives This is the iPhone 17’s biggest win. Apple has finally added a 120Hz ProMotion display to the regular model, and it changes everything. Scrolling feels fluid, animations are seamless, and gaming is smoother than ever. The screen also gets brighter, hitting 3,000 nits, and includes an anti-reflective coating — so even under harsh sunlight, it stays perfectly legible. Add to that the new Always-On display and improved Ceramic Shield 2 protection, and you have a screen that feels both premium and practical. Once you experience this refresh rate, there’s no going back.
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Cameras that get the job done beautifully The iPhone 17 keeps its dual-camera setup but improves where it counts. The new 48MP Dual Fusion system captures sharp, natural photos with excellent color balance. Portraits have better edge detection, night shots are cleaner, and the ultra-wide lens now shows less distortion. Even the selfie camera feels smarter with autofocus and natural-looking skin tones. It’s not trying to beat pro-level Android camera phones, but for everyday photography — travel, food, portraits, festivals — it’s incredibly reliable. You just point, shoot, and get consistently good results without much effort.
Worth the upgrade? Depends who you are At Rs 82,900, the iPhone 17 isn’t cheap, but it’s more refined than ever. You get 256GB storage by default, smoother performance, and a gorgeous display that finally catches up to the Pro models. If you already use an iPhone 16, the upgrade might feel minor. But if you’re on an older iPhone — say a 14 or below — this one feels like a big step forward. The iPhone 17 doesn’t try to be flashy. It’s reliable, polished, and built for those who just want a great iPhone experience without the “Pro” price tag.
Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com
