For me, the internal compute upgrades have zero value - CPUs, GPUs and RAM are at such a level that adding more adds nothing to what I use a phone for. (I do have an M2 Max studio at home and an M4 Max MBP for more compute intensive stuff.)
I’m Australian, and we still have the sim slot, so no upgraded battery for me.
So the aesthetics matter, because apart from the Tele it’s the major reason to upgrade from a 16 Pro and, as explained, they just aren’t there. It’s not just the chipping, I didn’t like the orange colour either. What is deep and lustrous in renders is thin and unimpressive in hand - it actually reminds me of the iPod Mini finishes more than anything.
In isolation, of course I’d keep the 17 Pro, it’s the better phone. But not at a cost of $2,500 Australian dollars. And that’s the rub of it really. I can afford to upgrade, but I want value for money and don’t feel I’m getting it this year, for the first year in a long time (the XS was a dud too IMHO).