iPhone 17 Launching Soon in Nepal: Apple Finally Gets the Base Model Right

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 had it first.

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 could start at Rs. 1,55,000 for the 256GB variant and Rs. 1,85,000 for the 512GB variant.

The iPhone 17 was officially unveiled at the Apple Event 2025 and is already available to buy in most global markets. Unfortunately for Nepali buyers, the phone hasn’t made its way here just yet. The good news? Judging by the buzz, it doesn’t look like we’ll have to wait too long before it hits local shelves.

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 ProMotion on the display.

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

ALSO READ: Apple iPhone Price in Nepal (September 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.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S25 Price in Nepal (September 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 expected to be around Rs. 1,55,000 (256GB) and Rs. 1,85,500 (512GB).

Although the iPhone 17 is already available in global markets, Nepali buyers will still have to wait a little longer for its official arrival.

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 might just be 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!