iPhone 17 vs iPhone 15: The upgrade Apple fans have been waiting for
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 15: The upgrade Apple fans have been waiting for
Intro
The iPhone 15 marked a turning point for Apple’s base models, bringing the Dynamic Island, a 48 MP main camera, and the A16 Bionic chip. But it also highlighted Apple’s continued artificial limitations, with the most prominent being the infamous 60Hz screen, alongside limited RAM and sluggish charging.
Even better, the starting price remains at $799, but now with double the base storage at 256 GB! Here’s why you might want to upgrade, or go directly for the new model if you are deciding between the two.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 15 differences:
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield 2 on front, glass back | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield on front, glass back |
| 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm, 177 g | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm, 171 g |
| 6.3″ OLED | 6.1″ OLED |
| 1-120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz display refresh rate |
| 3000 nits peak outdoor brightness | 2000 nits peak brightness |
| Much faster and more power efficient Apple A19 Bionic3nm | A16 Bionic, 4nm |
| 8 GB RAM, 256 GB / 512 GB | 6 GB RAM, 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB |
| 48 MP main, 48 MP ultrawide camera | 48 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide |
| 18 MP selfie camera Center Stage | Sharper frame |
| Up to 30 h video playback (27 h streamed) | Up to 20 h video playback (16 h streamed) |
| 35W wired (50% in ~20 min), 25W Qi2.2 wireless | 20W wired (50% in ~30 min), 15W MagSafe wireless |
| iOS 26 with Apple Intelligence | iOS 26 with Apple Intelligence (limited by hardware) |
| Starts at $799 (256 GB base) | Launched at $799 (128 GB base) |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
A larger phone, but a more durable one
Mostly the same design as the iPhone 16. | Image credit — Apple
Ceramic Shield 2 has arrived on the base iPhone. | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 17 keeps the aluminum frame but upgrades the front protection to Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is three times more scratch-resistant than before. The back, however, remains glass rather than Ceramic Shield 2, a distinction reserved for the Pro models.
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| Thickness 8 mm | Thickness 7.8 mm |
| Dimensions 149.6 x 71.5 mm | Dimensions 147.6 x 71.6 |
| Weight 177 g | Weight 171 g |
In terms of size, the iPhone 17 is slightly larger and heavier than the iPhone 15, though still very manageable at 177 grams compared to 171 grams on the iPhone 15. It also has slimmer bezels around its larger 6.3-inch screen, giving it a more modern look.
Apple is also refreshing the color lineup. The iPhone 17 colors come in Black, Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, and White, while the iPhone 15 colors were Black, Blue, Green, Pink, and Yellow.
Display Differences
The display we’ve all been waiting for. | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch OLED panel capped at 60Hz, which was already behind the competition when it launched.
The iPhone 17 jumps to a 6.3-inch OLED with a variable refresh rate of 1-120Hz, making it more power-efficient and smoother. It also dramatically improves brightness, with up to 3000 nits peak outdoors compared to 2000 nits on the iPhone 15. Both can hit 1600 nits in HDR.
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| Size 6.3 | Size 6.1 |
| Brightness 3000 nits (peak) | Brightness 2000 nits (peak) |
Face ID remains the biometric option on both, with the Dynamic Island still in place and without any changes.
Performance and Software
A19 with Apple Intelligence
The A19 chip brings along better power efficiency and more… power. | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 15 runs on the A16 Bionic (4nm), a capable chip that still delivers smooth performance. But it wasn’t built with Apple’s upcoming AI push in mind.
The iPhone 17 debuts the A19 chip, paired with 8 GB RAM and now starting at 256 GB storage. This brings efficiency improvements, better sustained performance, and full support for Apple Intelligence, Apple’s on-device AI suite.
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| Chip A19 | Chip A16 |
| Process 3nm N3P | Process 4nm |
| RAM, Storage — 8/256 GB 8/512 GB LPDDR5X RAM | RAM, Storage 6/128 GB 6/256 GB 6/512 GB LPDDR5 RAM |
iOS 26 coming on both models, but the iPhone 17 will support more AI features. | Image credit — Apple
Camera
Sharper selfies and a much better ultrawide
A 48 MP ultrawide that brings an upgraded Macro mode. | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 17 keeps the 48 MP main camera but upgrades the ultrawide to 48 MP, unlocking sharper detail and improved macro shots. The selfie camera is now an 18 MP Center Stage system with a larger, square sensor, stabilized 4K HDR video, and the ability to record with the front and back cameras simultaneously using Dual Capture. The unique square shape of the sensor also allows users to take horizontal selfies and capture more in the shot without the need to turn the phone sideways.
The iPhone 17’s Dual Capture feature. | Image credit — Apple
Portrait mode has also been enhanced with Focus Control, letting you shift focus after capture, and better low-light performance thanks to Apple’s Photonic Engine.
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| Main 48 MP, f/1.6 26 mm 1/1.56″ sensor size | Main 48 MP, f/1.6 26 mm 1/1.56″ sensor size |
| Ultrawide 48 MP, f/2.2 13mm 1/2.55″ sensor size | Ultrawide 12 MP, f/2.2 13 mm Unknown sensor size |
| Telephoto None | Telephoto None |
| Selfie 18 MP, f/1.9 | Selfie 12 MP, f/1.9 |
Unfortunately, neither model offers a dedicated zoom lens — that remains exclusive to the Pro line.
Battery Life and Charging
Longer battery life, faster speeds, broader compatibility
Vastly improved battery life on the iPhone 17. | Image credit — Apple
Apple doesn’t disclose battery capacities, but officially:
- iPhone 17: up to 30 hours video playback (27 hours streamed).
- iPhone 15: up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed).
That’s a +50% increase for local video playback and a +69% for streamed video playback. Not too shabby, and much needed.
The iPhone 15 remains limited to 20W wired (50% in ~30 minutes) and 15W MagSafe wireless charging. Both use USB-C with USB 2.0.
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| Battery size ~3,600 mAh | Battery size 3,349 mAh |
| Charging speeds 40W wired charging 25W wireless charging USB-C 2.0 | Charging speeds 20W wired charging 15W wireless charging USB-C 2.0 |
Specs Comparison
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| Size, weight 149.6 x 71.5 x 8 mm, 177 g | Size, weight 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, 171 g |
| Screen 6.3″ OLED 120Hz ProMotion | Screen 6.1″ OLED 60Hz |
| Processor A19 3nm | Processor A16 Bionic 4nm |
| Versions: — 8/256 GB 8/512 GB LPDDR5X | Versions: 6/128 GB 6/256 GB 6/512 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cameras: 48 MP main 48 MP ultra 18 MP front | Cameras: 48 MP main 12 MP ultra 12 MP front |
| Battery: ~3,600 mAh | Battery: 3,349 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 40W wired 25W wireless Qi2.2 support | Charging: USB-C 20W wired 15W wireless with MagSafe — |
Summary
The iPhone 17 is the base iPhone many users have been waiting for. The jump to a 120Hz ProMotion display alone might be reason enough to upgrade. But you would also get a much brighter 3000-nit screen, a new 18 MP selfie and 48 MP ultrawide camera, faster charging and longer battery life.
If you’re on an iPhone 15, the upgrade is more than tempting. Of course, it’s best to wait and get the complete picture from our test results, but even based purely on specs, the new model sounds like it is worth the investment.
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