Is It Time to Upgrade to the iPhone 17? How It Compares With the iPhone 16, 15 and 14

[ad_1] Everybody's drooling over the flowery new orange iPhone 17 Professional , however the true story is the bottom mannequin. The common iPhone 17 is quietly crushing it, with preorders blowing previous final 12 months's telephone. So, in case your present iPhone is beginning to really feel slightly sluggish and crusty, that is most likely the improve you've got been ready for.

However is it really well worth the $829? Here is the element that issues: Apple lastly killed the laughably small 128GB base storage. The brand new entry-level iPhone 17 begins at 256GB, a long-overdue improve that makes this 12 months's telephone a critically compelling deal.

Do not miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based opinions. Add CNET as a most popular Google supply.

A number of noteworthy updates to the iPhone 17 make it really feel like a tempting selection, even over the pricier iPhone 17 Professional fashions. In the end, Apple has prolonged a 1-120Hz show throughout its whole lineup, so you may have smoother scrolling and an always-on show with out spending upward of $1,100 on a Professional mannequin. An anti-reflective coating and better 3,000-nit peak brightness make the display barely simpler to see outdoor. And digicam upgrades assist to degree up images and selfies.

Here is how the iPhone 17 compares to older iPhones, starting from final 12 months's iPhone 16 to 2020's iPhone 12 .

The iPhone 16

James Martin/CNET iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16 Look-wise, the iPhone 17 has lots in widespread with the iPhone 16. However beneath the floor, there are some key variations.

The show goes from a meager 60Hz on the iPhone 16 to 120Hz on the iPhone 17 (in the end). Meaning the iPhone 17 lastly helps an always-on show, so you may look on the time and your notifications with out waking the display and revel in smoother scrolling. A brand new anti-reflective coating helps cut back glare, particularly within the vivid outside situations.

The iPhone 17 has a bigger 6.3-inch show, versus the iPhone 16's 6.1-inch display, because of slimmer bezels. That may make viewing content material barely extra immersive, although it will not be a massively noticeable distinction. And a brand new Ceramic Defend 2 cowl on the iPhone 17 affords 3 times higher scratch resistance, in response to Apple, so you may fear rather less about etching into your telephone's display (however possibly nonetheless get a display protector to be protected).

The iPhone 16 and 17 have a 48-megapixel wide-angle digicam, however the iPhone 17 bumps the ultrawide digicam from 12 megapixels to 48 megapixels. The front-facing digicam additionally will get upgraded from 12 megapixels (on the iPhone 16) to 18 megapixels on the iPhone 17. Each telephones have a Digital camera Management button for rapidly launching the digicam and snapping images.

A brand new Heart Stage characteristic can routinely regulate selfie images from portrait orientation to panorama to make sure everyone seems to be within the shot, so you do not have to manually rotate your telephone to its facet anymore. Twin Seize permits you to concurrently document in your back and front cameras. These upgrades are particularly catered to the most recent iPhone lineup, in order that they will not be coming to older fashions just like the iPhone 16, even with an iOS 26 replace.

Battery life is slightly longer on the iPhone 17. Apple says the iPhone 17 helps as much as 8 hours extra of video playback than the iPhone 16. This variation aligns with enhancements CNET observed in our battery exams. In a 3-hour streaming take a look at, for instance, the iPhone 17's battery dropped from 100% to 89%, whereas the iPhone 16 hit 86%. It is an incremental replace, however even slightly extra battery life is a welcome change. The iPhone 17 additionally helps as much as 40-watt charging, which is a lift over the 25 watts you get with the iPhone 16, serving to you prime off your battery slightly quicker.

The underside line: Whereas the updates to the iPhone 17 assist it stand out as an all-around strong system, the modifications over final 12 months's iPhone 16 are incremental sufficient that there is not a lot cause to improve -- except you are actually enthusiastic about that smoother show and quicker charging. However for most individuals, refined variations imply it is best to most likely simply maintain onto your iPhone 16.

The iPhone 15

James Martin/CNET iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 15 The iPhone 15 has lots in widespread with the iPhone 16, together with a 48-megapixel wide-angle digicam, a 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam and a 6.1-inch show. The 6.3-inch show on the iPhone 17 has slimmer bezels to increase that actual property a bit, and the 48-megapixel ultrawide digicam can result in barely sharper photographs.

The baseline iPhone 15 does not have an Motion button that you would be able to customise to launch varied apps and features, and as an alternative has the extra conventional ring/silent swap. The iPhone 17 has an Motion button and a Digital camera Management button.

Each telephones have a Dynamic Island cutout on the prime of the show for displaying alerts and Reside Actions, such because the time your DoorDash order is arriving, flight updates and what music is at the moment enjoying.

With every era, Apple touts longer battery life, so you may count on to get a pair extra hours of video playback with the iPhone 17 than you'd with the 15.

Maybe essentially the most vital distinction between the iPhone 15 and 17 is that the iPhone 15 does not have Apple Intelligence ; these AI options solely arrived on that 12 months's Professional fashions. In the event you improve to the iPhone 17, you will have entry to writing and picture modifying instruments, in addition to newer options like Reside Translation for calls and messages.

The underside line: Just like the iPhone 16, there aren't many drastic variations between the iPhone 15 and 17, although upgrading will notably grant you entry to Apple Intelligence. However the different {hardware} and software-related updates are comparatively minimal, so that you're most likely good maintaining your iPhone 15 for not less than one other 12 months.

The iPhone 14

James Martin/CNET iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 14 The iPhone 14 was the final Apple telephone with a Lightning port and that is one in every of most important variations between it and the iPhone 17, which has a USB-C port. Upgrading to the iPhone 17 means you will not need to depend on an outdated and limited-use charging cable anymore, and might as an alternative use one which works with most of your different units.

The baseline iPhone 14 additionally does not have a Dynamic Island cutout within the show, as that characteristic launched with simply the Professional fashions that 12 months. Upgrading to the iPhone 17 will allow you to rapidly faucet into actions like your rideshare journey or flight info.

The iPhone 14 has a 12-megapixel broad and ultrawide-angle digicam on the again, whereas the iPhone 17 bumps that to 48 megapixels throughout the board. The iPhone 17 additionally will increase the front-facing digicam's decision from 12 megapixels to 18 megapixels, whereas including a brand new Heart Stage selfie characteristic to routinely regulate between portrait and panorama pictures with out you having to rotate your telephone.

However the two telephones additionally some key similarities, like having eSIM and satellite tv for pc connectivity on board.

The underside line: The iPhone 14 has essentially the most noticeable variations with the iPhone 17. Upgrading might supply some recent options like an Motion button and, ultimately, a USB-C port, in addition to Dynamic Island and an upgraded digicam. However if you wish to avoid wasting cash and maintain your present telephone, you will not be lacking out on something too drastic.

The iPhone 13

Patrick Holland/CNET iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 13 The iPhone 13 has an identical A15 Bionic chip because the iPhone 14, and shares the identical twin 12-megapixel digicam system. However in contrast to the iPhone 14, the iPhone 13 does not have crash detection or satellite tv for pc connectivity, or digicam options like Motion mode for extra steady movies.

At this level, your iPhone 13 could also be displaying its age. Upgrading to the iPhone 17 provides you with entry to newer options like Apple Intelligence, Dynamic Island, USB-C charging and the Digital camera Management and Motion buttons. You may additionally discover quicker speeds by switching to the iPhone 17, now that it has been just a few years for the reason that iPhone 13 got here out.

The underside line: It might be time to improve to the iPhone 17 if in case you have an iPhone 13. It is attainable your telephone is beginning to present its age, and switching to Apple's newest baseline will get you a longer-lasting battery, an upgraded digicam, AI options and a handful of recent {hardware} and software program capabilities.

The iPhone 12

Sarah Tew/CNET iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 12 Like the following couple of iPhones after it, the iPhone 12 has a twin 12-megapixel digicam system, in addition to a 6.1-inch show. Upgrading to the iPhone 17 will get you a barely extra immersive 6.3-inch show with thinner bezels, together with a 48-megapixel twin digicam system.

The iPhone 12 lacks options like crash detection, satellite tv for pc connectivity, Dynamic Island and USB-C charging. It additionally does not assist the Apple Intelligence suite of AI options for writing, picture modifying, language translation and extra.

It is attainable your iPhone 12 has turn out to be sluggish and your battery is not holding up prefer it used to. Taking age out of the equation, at launch, the iPhone 12 boasted as much as 17 hours of video playback, whereas Apple says the iPhone 17 helps as much as 30 hours. So there's more likely to be a noticeable distinction between how lengthy every telephone can maintain up.

The underside line: Swapping your iPhone 12 for the iPhone 17 could possibly be a wise transfer. There have been noticeable modifications over the past a number of years, from the addition of the Motion and Digital camera Management buttons to the introduction of Apple Intelligence. The swap to USB-C and expanded battery capability may also make the latest iPhone extra tempting; you will not need to cling to your now-outdated Lightning cable. And you will seemingly discover quicker speeds and better efficiency throughout the board when switching from a 5-year-old system to the most recent era.

Apple iPhone 17 vs. Older iPhones Apple iPhone 17Apple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 15Apple iPhone 14Apple iPhone 13Apple iPhone 12Display dimension, tech, decision, refresh price 6.3-inch OLED; 2,622 x 1,206 pixel decision; 1-120Hz variable refresh rate6.1-inch OLED; 2,556 x 1,179 pixel decision; 60Hz refresh rate6.1-inch OLED; 2,556x1,179 pixels6.1-inch OLED; 2,532x1,170 pixels6.1-inch OLED; 2,532x1,170 pixels6.1-inch OLED; 2,532x1,170 pixelsPixel density 460ppi460 ppi460 ppi460 ppi460 ppi460ppiDimensions (inches) 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 in5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in5.78 x 2.82 x 0.3 in5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 inDimensions (millimeters) 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm147 x 72 x 7.8 mm147 x 72 x 7.65 mm146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 177 g (6.24 ounces170 g (6 oz.)171g (6.02 ounces172 g (6.07 ounces6.14 oz; 174g5.78oz; 164gMobile software program iOS 26iOS 18iOS 17iOS 16iOS 15iOS 14Camera 48-megapixel (broad) 48-megapixel (ultrawide)48-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)48-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide)Entrance-facing digicam 18-megapixel12-megapixel12-megapixel12-megapixel12-megapixel12-megapixelVideo seize 4K4K4K4K at 60 fpsHDR video recording with Dolby Imaginative and prescient as much as 4K at 60 fps4KProcessor Apple A19Apple A18A16 BionicApple A15 BionicApple A15 BionicApple Bionic 14RAM + storage RAM N/A + 256GB, 512GBRAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GBRAM NA; 128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GB64GB, 128GB, 256GBExpandable storage NoneNone (Face ID)NoneNoneUndisclosedUndisclosedBattery As much as 30 hours video playback; as much as 27 hours video playback (streamed)As much as 22 hours video playback; as much as 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wi-fi charging as much as 25W with 30W adapter or increased; Qi2 as much as 15WUndisclosed; Apple claims as much as 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed)Undisclosed; Apple claims 20 hours of video playbackNoNoFingerprint sensor None (Face ID)None (Face ID)None (Face ID)None (Face ID)Undisclosed; Apple lists 19 hours of video playbackUndisclosed; Apple lists 15 hours of video playbackConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-C (USB 2.0)LightningNo (Face ID)No (FaceID)Headphone jack NoneNoneNoneNoneLightningLightningSpecial options Apple N1 wi-fi networking chip (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO), Bluetooth 6, Thread. Motion button. Digital camera Management button. Dynamic Island. Apple Intelligence. Visible Intelligence. Twin eSIM. 1 to three,000 nits brightness show vary. IP68 resistance. Colours: black, white, mist blue, sage, lavender. Quick cost as much as 50% in 20 minutes utilizing 40W adapter or increased by way of charging cable. Quick cost as much as 50% in half-hour utilizing 30W adapter or increased by way of MagSafe Charger.Apple Intelligence, Motion button, Digital camera Management button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits show brightness vary, IP68 resistance. Colours: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine.Dynamic Island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); wi-fi charging; eSIM; satellite tv for pc connectivity5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); wi-fi charging; eSIM; satellite tv for pc connectivityNoNoUS value begins at $829 (256GB)$799 (128GB)$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)5G enabled; MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) 5G enabled; MagSafe; water-resistant (IP68); wi-fi charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) [ad_2] Source link