The iPhone 17 Launch: Score Yours Without The Premium Pricetag
No standard iPhone has ever offered more value than the iPhone 17. With its most recent line-up, Apple has upgraded the base-level iPhone in a way that stacks up favourably against both its own Pro models and other flagship smartphones on the market.
Released in September 2025, this year’s iPhone comes in four different styles: the iPhone 17, the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The differences in specs and benefits from model to model make the choice difficult, but a more pressing concern is whether to upgrade or not.
While the iPhone 17 offers better value than previous iPhones, it’s still a flagship phone with flagship prices. The best way to score a more affordable iPhone 17 is to purchase a refurbished iPhone 17.
A refurbished iPhone 17 is more than a second-hand iPhone 17, although it has usually been owned by a previous owner. A refurb is a pre-loved smartphone that a pro like Frank Mobile has checked, tested and restored to top-quality condition, ready to be loved again. When you buy from Frank Mobiles, you’re sure to get a high-quality refurbished device with a warranty, rather than taking your chances with strangers on the internet (which is usually not a good idea!).
Want to know more about how you can score the new iPhone 17 without the price tag? Perhaps you’re wondering if it’s worth upgrading from your older model? To help you answer these pressing questions, here’s the Frank Mobile guide to getting the iPhone 17 refurbished.
What’s New with the iPhone 17?
If it’s the promise of new features that compels you to upgrade your iPhone, here’s what the iPhone 17 has in store:
New chip
By this stage, you’ve probably come to expect that a new iPhone will pack a new and faster chipset, and the iPhone 17 doesn’t disappoint. The new A19 chipset boosts both CPU and GPU power, along with a 16-core Neural Engine, to handle AI loads.
New screen technology
The standard iPhone 17 finally features Apple’s ProMotion screen technology, complete with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, previously exclusive to Pro models. The iPhone’s screen has expanded to 6.3 inches from the previous 6.1 inches and boasts thinner bezels, an always-on display, and 3000 nits of peak brightness. The iPhone Air increases the screen size to 6.5 inches, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a larger screen size of 6.9 inches.
48-megapixel ‘fusion’ camera system
Apple has upgraded the iPhone 17’s cameras, moving to a dual-fusion camera with two megapixel sensors arranged vertically. The main camera is a telephoto one with 2X optical zoom and a 52mm focal length. The second camera is an ultra-wide camera that offers four times the resolution of the iPhone 16 model. However, the most significant camera upgrade is the AI-powered Center Stage feature, which automatically expands the field of view and switches from portrait to landscape orientation, allowing you to fit everyone in the group selfie.
Faster charging
Apple promises ‘all-day battery life’, which works out to around 30 hours of video playback on the standard iPhone, 33 in the Pro and 39 in the Pro Max. In addition to its long battery life, the iPhone 17 also charges faster, reaching up to 50% in 20 minutes.
New design
The iPhone 17 features a colour change-up, available in evocative hues like Sage, Mist Blue and Lavender. The iPhone 17 Air features the thinnest and lightest design on any iPhone yet, yet it remains impressively strong.
What’s Not New?
Despite all these developments, the iPhone 17 should still provide a very familiar experience for Apple users. If you own an iPhone 16 or one of the previous models, here’s a brief rundown of what’s staying the same:
MagSafe charging
Both the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 16 harness the power of MagSafe, Apple’s magnetic charging system that wirelessly charges your phone quickly and efficiently. However, here’s a bonus: the iPhone 17 now charges at up to 25W, an increase from the iPhone 16’s 22W power, which enables faster charging.
Splash, water and dust resistance
Both the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 are water-resistant to a depth of six metres for up to 30 minutes.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is the suite of AI-powered features integrated across Apple’s devices and experiences, like writing tools and memory movies. Both the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 16 support Apple Intelligence, which in turn supports you to get things done.
Video recording
Both phones feature 4K Dolby Vision video recording up to 60 fps, with Cinematic Mode to make your friends feel like the stars of the show.
Is the iPhone 17 Worth the Hype?
Whenever a new iPhone is released in stores, one of the most common questions people ask is, “Should I upgrade?”
Obviously, the choice is yours, but upgrading to iPhone 17 certainly has its benefits. The newer your current iPhone, the more benefits you’ll reap. If you’re still using an iPhone 13 or earlier model, there are so many new experiences you’ll get by making the switch: a vastly more advanced processor, at least 256GB of storage, a longer battery life and the support of Apple Intelligence.
If you own a standard iPhone 15, Apple Intelligence is a good reason to upgrade in itself. First introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models as well as all iPhone 16 devices, Apple Intelligence is now standard across the iPhone 17 range.
If you have an iPhone 16, upgrading may still be worth it if you like the sound of the new features, such as the fresh screen technology and the updated camera system. Particularly if the reduced rate of getting your iPhone 17 refurbished sweetens the deal.
How to Get a More Affordable iPhone 17
There are several options you can explore to get your hands on a more affordable iPhone 17. You can look for promotions or trade-in offers, or try to find a second-hand iPhone 17 online. But the most reliable way to get a decent iPhone 17 for less is to buy it online, refurbished.
A refurbished phone has been put through a tough testing process to make sure it’s fit to be released back on the market, with everything from the button to the battery to the mic checked to make sure it works as it should. Refurbished phones are a better option for the planet, help promote the more sustainable approach of the circular economy and can save you hundreds of dollars. If you’re second-hand smartphone shopping, refurbished is most definitely the way to go.
Buy The Latest iPhones at Frank Mobile
Let’s be frank, finding a good deal on the used smartphone market isn’t always easy. But when it comes to quality, there’s no need to settle for second best. At Frank Mobile, you can buy the latest iPhones with the most up-to-date features while saving hundreds of dollars.
Frank Mobile’s affordable refurbished iPhones undergo rigorous testing and come with a standard 12-month warranty, which can be extended for an additional 12 months. We also guarantee at least 80% battery health, so you can relax and enjoy all-day battery life.
An Australian supplier selling 100% locally sourced stock with original manufacturer parts, Frank Mobile’s commitment to both quality and sustainability goes hand in hand. Have questions or just want more info? Email befrank@frankmobile.com.au or speak to a human on 1300 882 674.
