iPhone 17 Launched in Nepal: The Base Model at Its Best!

It’s that time of year again: Apple rolls out an “exclusive” iPhone feature, only for us to realize that Android phones from two years ago already had it.

But with the base iPhone 17, things actually feel a little different. How? Well, let’s dive right in.

What is the Price of the iPhone 17 in Nepal?

The iPhone 17 price in Nepal is Rs. 1,57,299 for the 256GB variant and Rs. 1,97,999 for the 512GB variant. The price turned out to be a little higher than expected. However, judging by past trends, we can expect it to drop quite significantly after a while.

The iPhone 17 was officially unveiled at the “Apple Event” held on September 9, 2025. Usually, iPhones arrive about a month after the launch event in Nepal.

But this time, they did things a little early and iPhone 17 was made available to purchase all across the country on the 26^th of the same month. Not even 20 days wait!

If you are looking to get the iPhone 17 in the Kathmandu valley, you can visit the Next Nine Store at The Park (Ground Floor), Durbarmarga. Meanwhile, if you are from around Hetuada, you can visit the Sherisha Mobile Hub.

Furthermore, along with the purchase of the iPhone 17, you get a complimentary 20W Original Adapter and Shield Pro. As a part of the Shield Pro offer, you receive two-time screen and back glass replacement for free, and a one-year extended warranty (two years in total).

iPhone launches over the past few years have felt a little underwhelming. From the infamous Dynamic Island to the Action Button, the updates have looked less “revolutionary” and more like filler features nobody really asked for.

This year, though, Apple seems to be finally shifting gears. Instead of chasing flashy gimmicks, the iPhone 17 brings features that could actually make a difference in everyday use. I’m talking about the addition of Center Stage on the front camera and the ProMotion display.

Not sure what those are? Let’s break it down, starting with the specs.

ALSO READ: Apple iPhone Price in Nepal (November 2025 Updated)

iPhone 17 Overview

Design and Display

The base iPhone 17 doesn’t fall too far from the tree compared to last year’s iPhone 16. With the same pill-shaped linear camera bump, even 16 users could probably pass their phone off as the new one at first glance.

That said, Apple did make one noticeable change: the size. The iPhone 17 is bigger all around; it’s taller, wider, and yes, even thicker than last year. The display has also been bumped up to 6.3 inches from the previous 6.1 inches on the base model.

Build-wise, you get aluminum on all sides paired with what Apple calls a Color-Infused Glass back. Unlike regular painted finishes, the tint is integrated directly into the glass itself. This year’s lineup comes in five shades: Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, and Lavender.

The button layout is business as usual, still featuring the Action Button and dedicated Camera Control. On the front, it’s still a Super Retina XDR OLED with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, but now stretched to a slightly higher resolution of 1206 × 2622 pixels. That works out to about 460 ppi, which Apple seems to have locked in as its sweet spot.

And here’s the real kicker: the base iPhone 17 finally gets ProMotion. That means buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rates across the board. Of course, Android rivals like Samsung, OnePlus, and even Redmi and Infinix have had this for years (often at half the price), but for iPhone users, it’s a big win nonetheless.

Apple has also upgraded the front glass to Ceramic Shield 2, claiming better scratch resistance. As for drop protection? Let’s just say you’ll still want to invest in a solid case. Or let the complementary Shield Pro take care of it.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S25 Price in Nepal (November 2025 Updated)

Camera

Moving to the cameras, the main sensor stays mostly unchanged. You’re still looking at a 48MP primary lens with sensor-shift OIS, the same setup Apple has been using since the iPhone 15. But there’s a notable upgrade on the ultrawide side.

Apple has swapped out the old 12MP lens for a new 48MP ultrawide, which should make a big difference for landscapes and group shots.

The real headline, though, is up front. Apple has finally given the base iPhone a serious selfie upgrade with an 18MP Center Stage camera. This is Apple’s “big thing” for 2025. Under the hood, it uses a 24MP square sensor, which allows you to take vertical and horizontal selfies without physically rotating your phone. Pretty clever, and honestly more useful than the flashy gimmicks we’ve seen in past launches.

Credit where it’s due, Apple could’ve easily reserved this for the Pro lineup and left the base model stuck with last year’s hardware. But instead, every iPhone 17 gets the same new front camera. That’s a win.

As for video, both the front and rear cameras can shoot 4K Dolby Vision at up to 60fps, which is still some of the best video quality you’ll find on a smartphone.

Hardware and Other

Apple never really gives us the full picture when it comes to what’s inside an iPhone. With the iPhone 17, we know it’s running on the new A19 chip with a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. But as usual, Apple’s official spec sheet skips the actual clock speeds, making direct comparisons with past models a bit tricky.

What Apple does claim is that the iPhone 17’s CPU is 40% faster than the iPhone 15, the GPU is 80% faster, and you’ll squeeze out 10 extra hours of video playback compared to the 15. Hard numbers? Not really. But Apple’s track record with chip performance does make it believable.

On the memory side, Apple hasn’t confirmed this officially, but reports suggest the iPhone 17 packs 8GB of RAM. Sure, that number feels underwhelming for a phone that costs north of Rs. 1,50,000, but iOS optimization has always done more with less, so in real-world use, 8GB should be plenty.

Storage finally gets an upgrade: the base model now starts at 256GB. About time, considering 128GB just doesn’t cut it for a flagship anymore. For those who need extra room, there’s also a 512GB option.

As for the battery, Apple remains as secretive as ever about the actual capacity. What we do know is that it’s rated for up to 30 hours of video playback. More interestingly, charging speeds have finally caught up. Both Pro models now support 40W fast charging, enough to hit 50% in around 20 minutes, along with 25W MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. And yes, the base iPhone 17 supports the same wireless standards too.

iPhone 17 Price in Nepal and Availability

The iPhone 17 price in Nepal is Rs. 1,57,299 (256GB) and Rs. 1,97,999 (512GB). Along with your purchase, you get a complimentary 20W official charger and Shield Pro package, which will get you two screen and back panel replacements over the span of two years for free.

This year, the iPhone 17 doesn’t sit too far behind its Pro and Pro Max siblings. The main compromise is the lack of a telephoto lens, but on the flip side, it gets an upgraded ultrawide camera and, for the first time, ProMotion. That alone makes the base model feel a lot less like a “second-class” iPhone.

Apple has also bumped the starting storage to 256GB, much like they did with the latest MacBooks, finally leaving 128GB behind.

Now, in the context of Nepal, pricing is always the catch. iPhones usually launch here at a steep premium compared to global markets, which makes them harder to justify in terms of value for money. The silver lining? Prices often settle a few months after launch.

That said, if your eyes are set on an iPhone this year, the iPhone 17 is the most balanced iPhone Apple has released in a long time.

What do you think about the iPhone 17? Let us know in the comments below!