The iPhone 17 Pro is listed at ₹1,34,900. Adarsh explores if it’s really worthy of the hefty price tag…
So, at long last, the 17th instalment of the iPhone series is finally here.
The base version is available at ₹82,900 while the most expensive version – the iPhone 17 Pro – is available at ₹1,34,900. There is also the iPhone 17 Air which costs ₹1,19,900.
So, are they really worth these hefty price tags?
What Works: Strengths & Innovations
1. Pro performance and thermal design
The 17 Pro is powered by the A19 Pro chip. This handles daily usage as well as heavy tasks with ease. Even when used for gaming or multitasking, it does not slow down the performance.
It is powered by the new vapor chamber cooling system within the aluminium unibody that manages the thermal throttling much better than its predecessors.
2. Display improvements and design refresh
The Pro has kept the 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR panel but it now comes equipped with a Ceramic Shield 2 which means fewer distracting glares when compared to the 16 Pro.
Peak brightness and colour accuracy remain strong, and the 120 Hz adaptive refresh (ProMotion) keeps motion smooth.
The two-tone finish like the Cosmic Orange lends some flair to the Pro without losing its Apple identity.
3. Faster charging and long-lasting battery
The 17 Pro supports 35 W wired charging and can charge up to 40% in 15 minutes and up to 72% in 30 minutes which is quite an increase.
It also retains charge despite a full day of moderate usage, which is quite an improvement for iPhones.
- Camera system & new front sensor
The Pro has a triple 48 MP setup for the main, ultrawide and telephoto cameras. But unlike the 5× optical zoom in previous versions, Apple has moved to a 4× telephoto, prioritising magnification for sensor resolution.
The front camera has been upgraded to 18 megapixels with Centre Stage capabilities.
5. Value shift in the base model
The base version has ProMotion, 256 GB storage as well as the Pro screen which is iPhone Pro’s best feature which means Apple has reduced the divide between the base version and the Pro version.
What Doesn’t Work: Trade-Offs & Setbacks
- Telephoto downgrade
The shift from 5× to 4× optical zoom seems like a downgrade. While the new sensor offers better sharpness, the lack of zoom might feel like a let down for users who prefer the iPhone for its superior photography abilities. - Price hike
The iPhone 17 Pro is $100 (approximately ₹8,900) more than its predecessor. While this might seem justified since the base model also starts at 256 GB now, it makes you wonder if you really need to go for the Pro version.
Even the Air version for its sleek design does not have much to offer otherwise with most users preferring either the base version or the Pro version over the iPhone 17 Air. The design also makes it more vulnerable to scratches and edge damage.
- Durability concerns
Users have reported scratches and scuffing on the aluminium frame near the camera and this has even been trending on social media as ‘scratchgate’. Teardowns have also suggested that the anodized aluminium near the camera bump is brittle and likely to suffer spalling. - Modest AI upgrades
While it comes with Liquid Glass and new Lock Screen dynamics, Apple fans were expecting a lot more in terms of Apple Intelligence. Most users believe that apart from hardware improvement, the latest iPhone does not have much to offer in terms of upgrades.
The Last Word
With Apple’s 2025 strategy pivoting towards making the baseline stronger, there is no real consideration for the iPhone 17 Pro. It is not ‘Pro or nothing’ unlike previous versions used to be. If you are really inclined towards photography, then maybe Pro might be the option for you but otherwise there is no reason why just having the base iPhone 17 is not good enough.
Will Apple’s strategy pay off? Time alone will tell.
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