After the launch of the iPhone 17 series, one of the many questions that emerges for consumers is this: Should you still consider buying the iPhone 17 Pro or save a lot of money with the iPhone 17? With major upgrades across the range, it becomes tricky to choose between the more pocket-friendly model and the fully loaded variant, especially considering the price dynamics.
While the upgrades are significant across the models, Apple obviously gives more reasons to consider the Pro models. Other than the new colourways and more cameras, the Pro version also has a lot of other luxuries and perks that users can enjoy. A more powerful processor, a high-resolution zoom camera, a larger battery, and the new aluminium-alloy unibody construction are just some of the features that the standard iPhone 17 doesn’t get.
So which one should you pick – the iPhone 17 or its Pro counterpart — the iPhone 17 Pro?
The camera system
The iPhone 17 gets a massive camera upgrade this year, featuring a 48MP main sensor and a 48MP ultrawide sensor. The reason Apple calls it the Fusion camera is all down to the four lens functionality – the main camera offers 2x lossless digital zoom and the ultrawide camera doubles up as a macro lens. With the new A19 chip and improved image processing algorithms, the iPhone 17 is a potent pocket camera to have.
However, the iPhone 17 Pro takes it a step further. It features three 48MP cameras, including a 48MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide sensor and a 48MP telephoto shooter with 8x lossless zoom performance. The Pro models are also designed for filmmakers, with support for features like ProRes RAW and genlock, thus integrating seamlessly into professional production workflows.
In short, while the iPhone 17’s camera is fantastic for most users, the Pro models are built for those who need a professional-grade tool.
Performance
Both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro are powered by the new A19 chip family, but there’s a key difference. The standard iPhone 17 uses the A19 chip, which comes with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU. The iPhone 17 Pro uses the A19 Pro chip, which is designed for even higher performance and sustained workloads. With a 6-core CPU and 6-core GPU, this model has its vapour chamber to dissipate heat more effectively, thus making it suitable for gaming and video editing.
Durability
When it comes to durability, both models step up. The iPhone 17 features Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the front, which claims to provide three times better scratch resistance. The iPhone 17 Pro, however, takes it a step further by including Ceramic Shield 2 on both the front and back, making it more resistant to drops and cracks. This, along with the aluminium unibody construction, makes the iPhone 17 Pro better equipped to deal with all sorts of abuses.
Display
Both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro now feature a Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology, giving all users a super-smooth variable refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz. Both models deliver up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness too. However, the iPhone 17 Pro gets an anti-reflective coating to cut down on glass reflections – something which the standard iPhone 17 misses out on.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro: Conclusion
The iPhone 17, starting at Rs 82,900, is a great choice for most people, considering that it brings upgrades like the 48MP dual rear camera system and a 120Hz ProMotion display at a more accessible price point. However, if you’re a creative professional, a dedicated mobile gamer, or someone who simply demands the absolute best in mobile technology, the iPhone 17 Pro, starting at Rs 1,34,900, seems worth the extra investment.
