iPhone 17 Review 2026: The Truth About Battery & 120Hz Display

For years, I’ve told my readers: “Don’t buy the base iPhone. It has a 60Hz screen.” In a world where a ₹15,000 Redmi phone has a 120Hz display, paying ₹80,000 for a stuttery 60Hz screen was a crime.

But in 2026, Apple has finally listened.

The iPhone 17 is no longer the “compromise” iPhone. It now packs the holy trinity we asked for: ProMotion (120Hz), Always-On Display, and a base storage of 256GB. All this starting at ₹82,900.

While the world is going crazy over the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, the real hero of the lineup is actually this standard iPhone 17. I’ve been using it as my daily driver since the September launch, and honestly? The “Pro” gap has never been smaller.

Quick Specs: What You Get for ₹82,900

3. Design & Build: Subtle Tweaks, Big Impact

If you put the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 side-by-side, you might miss the differences at first glance. But pick them up, and the change is tangible.

• Size Bump: The screen has grown from 6.1-inch to 6.3-inch. It sounds small, but the bezels are razor-thin now, giving you more screen real estate without making the phone impossible to hold.
• The Colors: I’m reviewing the Sage Green variant, and it’s stunning. It’s a muted, pastel matte finish that doesn’t attract fingerprints. The Ceramic Shield 2 on the front claims to be 3x more scratch-resistant.
• In-Hand Feel: At 177g, it feels dense but not heavy. It lacks the titanium rails of the Pro or Air, but the aerospace-grade aluminum feels robust. It’s definitely more durable than the fragile-feeling “Air” model.

Display: The Game Changer

This is the section that matters. 120Hz is finally here.

Read More: realme 16 Pro 5G

• Smoothness: Scrolling through Instagram or Twitter (X) is buttery smooth. If you are coming from an iPhone 13, 14, or 15, the difference will shock you. Everything feels faster, even though the processor is only slightly quicker.
• Outdoor Visibility: The peak brightness now hits 3,000 nits (outdoor). I tested this under direct Bhopal afternoon sun, and the text was perfectly legible.
• Always-On Display (AOD): It’s the same implementation as the Pro models. You can see your wallpaper, time, and widgets dimmed down. It does drain about 4-5% battery over a full day, but it’s worth it.

Performance & Gaming: The A19 Beast

Apple’s silicon lead is shrinking, but the A19 chip is still a monster.

• Daily Usage: I tried to make this phone lag. I opened 20 apps, rendered a 4K reel in CapCut, and played Spotify in the background. It didn’t stutter once. The 8GB RAM is standard now, keeping apps in memory longer.
• Gaming: I played Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile and Genshin Impact at ‘High’ settings.
  • Thermals: The phone gets warm near the camera module after 20 minutes, but it doesn’t throttle as aggressively as the iPhone 15 did. The aluminum chassis dissipates heat better than the older designs.
  • Frame Rates: A solid 60fps (and 120fps in supported titles).

Cameras: The 48MP Upgrade

The camera module looks familiar, but the sensors are new.

The Main Sensor (48MP Fusion):

Daylight shots are crisp with excellent dynamic range. Apple has toned down the “Smart HDR” effect, so faces don’t look overly processed or orange anymore.

The Ultra-Wide (Now 48MP):

This is the big jump. The iPhone 16 had a 12MP Ultra-wide. The 17 uses a 48MP sensor.

• Detail: You can actually crop into ultra-wide shots now without them looking like oil paintings.
• Macro Mode: It’s incredible. You can get as close as 2cm to a flower or a coin, and the focus is razor-sharp.

The Selfie Camera (18MP):

The new 18MP front camera with Center Stage is a godsend for FaceTime and Zoom calls. It tracks your face if you move around. The selfies are sharper, with better texture on skin and beards.

Battery & Charging: The Real World Test

Apple claims “30 hours of video playback,” but what does that mean for a normal Indian user?

• My Usage: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. 5G Data always on. 3 hours of social media, 1 hour of gaming, calls, and music.
• Result: I usually end the day with 20-25% battery left. It is easily a “one-day” phone, but not a “two-day” phone like the Pro Max or Plus used to be.
• Charging: This is still a weak point. It supports up to 27W wired charging.
  • 0 to 50%: ~28 Minutes.
  • 0 to 100%: ~1 Hour 15 Minutes.
  • Compare this to the OnePlus 13 which charges in 25 minutes fully, and you feel the pain.

The Competition: iPhone 17 vs. The World

Let’s look at the rivals you might be considering.

iPhone 17 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26

• Display: Both now have 120Hz LTPO. Samsung’s punch-hole is smaller than Apple’s Dynamic Island.
• Zoom: The S26 has a dedicated 3x Telephoto lens. The iPhone 17 only has digital zoom (crop). If you shoot a lot of portraits or zoom shots, Samsung wins.
• Value: Samsung prices drop fast. But the iPhone holds resale value better.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 17 Air

• The Air: Costs ~₹35,000 more. It is thinner (5.6mm) but has a smaller battery and only one rear camera.
• The Verdict: The “Air” is a fashion accessory. The “17” is a tool. Buy the 17.

Final Verdict: The Default Choice

The iPhone 17 is the most complete “base” iPhone Apple has ever made. By finally adding the 120Hz screen and 256GB base storage, they have removed the only two reasons I used to tell people to avoid the standard model.

It’s no longer the “poor man’s iPhone.” It’s just a great iPhone.

Buy it if:

• ✅ You held off for 120Hz: You refused to buy the 15 or 16 because of the 60Hz screen.
• ✅ You want Value: Getting 256GB storage at ₹82k is a great deal for an Apple launch price.
• ✅ You keep phones for 4-5 years: The A19 chip and build quality are built to last.

Skip it if:

• ❌ You need Zoom: The lack of a dedicated Telephoto lens is still a miss. Get the Pro or S26.
• ❌ You need Fast Charging: 1 hour+ to charge is slow in 2026.
• ❌ You want the “Cool” factor: The iPhone 17 Air is the head-turner this year, not this one.

Journalist Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5 Stars)

FAQs (People Also Ask)