The iPhone 17 is finally here, and as always, Apple wants you to believe it’s the best iPhone yet. But here’s the real question: should you spend ₹82,900 on the new model, or save a good chunk of change and grab last year’s iPhone 16 for around ₹66–70K?
That’s a pretty big difference, enough to save up for a pair of solid TWS Earbuds, a case, a screen protector, and maybe even a smartwatch. So let’s see what you’re really paying for.
Same design, just a little fresher
Apple didn’t go crazy with the design this year.
Both phones still have that classic aluminium-and-glass sandwich look, flat edges, and the action button.
The iPhone 17 looks as if it is a touch larger than the basic 17, but that’s only because the new display has much slimmer bezels. This makes it look unbelievably sleeker in the hand. It’s not exactly revolutionary, but it does feel like the more modern device when you hold them side by side.
The display is the game-changer
This is where the basic iPhone moves into the big leagues. The “simple” iPhone finally gets a 120Hz refresh rate, and you notice it the moment you start scrolling. Everything, from the App Library to scrolling through Instagram, feels buttery smooth. Games like BGMI feel completely new.
Even just scrolling through basic apps feels faster and smoother. The iPhone 16’s 60Hz panel is fine if that’s all you’ve ever used, but put them next to each other and the 16 suddenly feels dated. Even though its just a year old.
Cameras, performance, and battery
Both phones still take great shots with their 48MP main cameras, but the iPhone 17’s upgraded 48MP ultrawide means better detail in wide-angle shots, when you compare them to the iPhone 16’s ’s 12MP UW camera. The 17’s selfie also gets a big boost to 18MP with Centre Stage, making it perfect for FaceTime and reels.
Inside, the iPhone 17 runs on the newer A19 chip, which is snappier and should hold up better over a few years of iOS updates. Battery life is slightly better too, the iPhone 17 gets 3,692 mAh versus the 3,561mAh unit in the 16and the faster charging means you spend less time plugged in.
If you’re the someone who notices smooth animations and loves a good camera upgrade, the iPhone 17 is worth the splurge. But if you just want a reliable iPhone and don’t care about 120Hz, the iPhone 16 still gives you more or less the same experience for a lot less money.
