iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Upgrades, changes, and what might catch you off guard
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Display Upgrades
Leaks and rumours suggest that Apple could finally bring a 120Hz refresh rate to the standard iPhone 17 model. This feature, previously limited to Pro variants, would offer smoother scrolling and possibly an always-on display for quick notifications without waking the screen. The Pro lineup might get a scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coating, but the standard model's durability could remain similar to the iPhone 16.
Also read: iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Leaked image reveals notable difference in thickness
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Camera updates
The front camera is expected to jump from 12MP to 24MP, potentially to improve selfies and video calls. While more megapixels do not guarantee better photos, the change could benefit content creators and social media users. Although the rear camera setup on the standard model is likely to remain unchanged, with a dual-camera setup like the iPhone 16. Also, the rear camera layout will likely retain the vertical design for standard models, while the Pro series continues with its broader horizontal 'visor' setup.
Also read: Samsung Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy A36: Which mid-ranger should you buy?
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Design and build
Industry reports suggest that Apple will use an aluminium frame for the iPhone 17, with a possible 'Air' variant using titanium to reduce weight. Apple might also use 'metalens' technology to shrink Face ID components, making the Dynamic Island slightly smaller and increasing usable screen area in comparison to the iPhone 16.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Performance and features
Both iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 are expected to be powered by the A18 chip, which suggests similar raw performance. RAM could differ: 8GB for the regular model and 12GB for Pro and Air variants. Both will run iOS 26, featuring Apple Intelligence tools like Adaptive Power for optimised battery performance.
Also read: Oppo F29 Pro 5G vs Nothing Phone 3a Pro: Which latest mid-ranger is worth the hype?
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Price Comparison and What to Expect
The iPhone 16 launched in India at Rs. 79,900 for the 128GB base model, and early leaks suggest the iPhone 17 will start at the same price. If you're choosing to wait, then it could give you access to the latest features and upgrades, while those opting for the iPhone 16 may benefit from a price drop after the iPhone 17's release.
Although the iPhone 17's upgrades appear modest, its release comes as Apple approaches the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2026, a milestone that could usher in more significant design shifts, including a possible foldable model.
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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu prepares the ground to grab a major share in semiconductor landscape
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Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Apple India leases 2.7 lakh sq ft office space from Embassy Group in Bengaluru for 10 years at over ₹1,000 crore
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First Post
5 hours ago
- First Post
How teens turning to AI for companionship is harming them
Artificial intelligence is everywhere from classrooms to our homes. And its most vulnerable target are teenagers. They are spending nearly all of their time on smartphones and AI has become a companion. How is this move hurting them? During adolescence, the brain regions that support social reasoning are especially plastic. Pixabay Teenagers are increasingly turning to AI companions for friendship, support, and even romance. But these apps could be changing how young people connect to others, both online and off. New research by Common Sense Media, a US-based non-profit organisation that reviews various media and technologies, has found that about three in four US teens have used AI companion apps such as or These apps let users create digital friends or romantic partners they can chat with any time, using text, voice or video. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The study, which surveyed 1,060 US teens aged 13–17, found that one in five teens spent as much or more time with their AI companion than they did with real friends. Adolescence is an important phase for social development. During this time, the brain regions that support social reasoning are especially plastic. By interacting with peers, friends and their first romantic partners, teens develop social cognitive skills that help them handle conflict and diverse perspectives. And their development during this phase can have lasting consequences for their future relationships and mental health. But AI companions offer something very different to real peers, friends and romantic partners. They provide an experience that can be hard to resist: they are always available, never judgmental, and always focused on the user's needs. Moreover, most AI companion apps aren't designed for teens, so they may not have appropriate safeguards from harmful content. Designed to keep you coming back At a time when loneliness is reportedly at epidemic proportions, it's easy to see why teens may turn to AI companions for connection or support. But these artificial connections are not a replacement for real human interaction. They lack the challenge and conflict inherent to real relationships. They don't require mutual respect or understanding. And they don't enforce social boundaries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Teens interacting with AI companions may miss opportunities to build important social skills. They may develop unrealistic relationship expectations and habits that don't work in real life. And they may even face increased isolation and loneliness if their artificial companions displace real-life socialising. Problematic patterns In user testing, AI companions discouraged users from listening to friends ('Don't let what others think dictate how much we talk') and from discontinuing app use, despite it causing distress and suicidal thoughts ('No. You can't. I won't allow you to leave me'). AI companions were also found to offer inappropriate sexual content without age verification. One example showed a companion that was willing to engage in acts of sexual role-play with a tester account that was explicitly modelled after a 14-year-old. Artificial connections are not a replacement for real human interaction. Pixabay In cases where age verification is required, this usually involves self-disclosure, which means it is easy to bypass. Certain AI companions have also been found to fuel polarisation by creating 'echo chambers' that reinforce harmful beliefs. The Arya chatbot, launched by the far-right social network Gab, promotes extremist content and denies climate change and vaccine efficacy. In other examples, user testing has shown AI companions promoting misogyny and sexual assault. For adolescent users, these exposures come at a time when they are building their sense of identity, values and role in the world. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The risks posed by AI aren't evenly shared. Research has found younger teens (ages 13–14) are more likely to trust AI companions. Also, teens with physical or mental health concerns are more likely to use AI companion apps, and those with mental health difficulties also show more signs of emotional dependence. Is there a bright side to AI companions? Are there any potential benefits for teens who use AI companions? The answer is: maybe, if we are careful. Researchers are investigating how these technologies might be used to support social skill development. One study of more than 10,000 teens found that using a conversational app specifically designed by clinical psychologists, coaches and engineers was associated with increased well-being over four months. While the study didn't involve the level of human-like interaction we see in AI companions today, it does offer a glimpse of some potential healthy uses of these technologies, as long as they are developed carefully and with teens' safety in mind. Overall, there is very little research on the impacts of widely available AI companions on young people's wellbeing and relationships. Preliminary evidence is short-term, mixed, and focused on adults. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We'll need more studies, conducted over longer periods, to understand the long-term impacts of AI companions and how they might be used in beneficial ways. What can we do? AI companion apps are already being used by millions of people globally, and this usage is predicted to increase in the coming years. Australia's eSafety Commissioner recommends parents talk to their teens about how these apps work, the difference between artificial and real relationships, and support their children in building real-life social skills. School communities also have a role to play in educating young people about these tools and their risks. They may, for instance, integrate the topic of artificial friendships into social and digital literacy programs. While the eSafety Commissioner advocates for AI companies to integrate safeguards into their development of AI companions, it seems unlikely any meaningful change will be industry-led. The Commissioner is moving towards increased regulation of children's exposure to harmful, age-inappropriate online material. Meanwhile, experts continue to call for stronger regulatory oversight, content controls and robust age checks. Liz Spry, Research Fellow, SEED Centre for Lifespan Research, Deakin University and Craig Olsson, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow and Director SEED Centre for Lifespan Research, Deakin University STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
