iPhone 17 vs iPhone 15: All the expected upgrades and changes explained
Intro
It's been a couple of years since the launch of the iPhone 15, which introduced meaningful upgrades like a 48 MP main camera, the Dynamic Island, and better performance. Now the iPhone 17's launch is nearing, and the rumor is that it will finally fix the worst part about the base iPhone models.
Yes, it is exactly what you are thinking, we are—supposedly—about to see a non-Pro iPhone with a smooth 120Hz display. But that's not all! We also expect to see a new selfie camera, a much faster processor, and maybe even better battery life.
Chances are that many iPhone 15 owners will be considering the iPhone 17 as an upgrade, so let's see what exactly you can expect from the new model.
Update: iOS 26 has just been unveiled, and it sheds light on what to expect from the software side of things — we’ll cover that in detail in the ‘Performance and Software’ section.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 15 expected differences:
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| AI-capable A19 chip (likely 3nm) | A16 Bionic (4nm) |
| 8 GB RAM | 6 GB |
| 24 MP selfie camera | 12 MP selfie camera |
| 6.27" OLED 120Hz ProMotion Thinner bezels | 6.1" OLED 60Hz Thicker bezels |
| ~ 3,600 mAh battery | 3,349 mAh |
| Similar wired/wireless speeds | 20W wired 15W MagSafe wireless |
| New spliced smoother frame | Sharper frame |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Refined design for higher comfort
The iPhone 15 refined Apple’s design formula with a softer, more comfortable aluminum frame, a textured matte back, and the addition of the Dynamic Island cutout. However, it kept a familiar size and look, with minor ergonomic improvements.
The iPhone 17, however, is expected to introduce more substantial changes. Apple is reportedly using a new splicing process that smooths the transition between the back and frame, providing a seamless, curved feel rather than the sharp edge of the iPhone 15.
The bezels are also getting significantly thinner thanks to new BRS (Border Reduction Structure) technology, making the phone look more modern and immersive. And while early leaks suggested a full design overhaul with a center-aligned rear camera, more recent reports indicate Apple may stick to the diagonal layout introduced on the iPhone 13 and refined since then.
Both phones have a USB-C port, although the iPhone 15 doesn't support high-speed data transfer, and we don't expect the iPhone 17 to support it either — Apple is still reserving that perk for the Pro line.
The iPhone 17, however, is expected to introduce more substantial changes. Apple is reportedly using a new splicing process that smooths the transition between the back and frame, providing a seamless, curved feel rather than the sharp edge of the iPhone 15.
The bezels are also getting significantly thinner thanks to new BRS (Border Reduction Structure) technology, making the phone look more modern and immersive. And while early leaks suggested a full design overhaul with a center-aligned rear camera, more recent reports indicate Apple may stick to the diagonal layout introduced on the iPhone 13 and refined since then.
Both phones have a USB-C port, although the iPhone 15 doesn't support high-speed data transfer, and we don't expect the iPhone 17 to support it either — Apple is still reserving that perk for the Pro line.
As for the color options:
- iPhone 15 colors are: Black, Green, Yellow, Pink, Blue
- The expected iPhone 17 colors are: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine
Display Differences
The iPhone 15 kept the same 6.1-inch OLED panel from previous models but disappointed many by sticking to a 60Hz refresh rate. Brightness improvements were introduced (up to 2000 nits peak outdoors), and the Dynamic Island brought some modern flair, but scrolling and animations didn’t get any smoother compared to older iPhones.
The iPhone 17 is expected to address these longstanding complaints with a 6.27-inch OLED panel featuring ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate — a first for a base iPhone model. It will use Samsung’s newer M14 OLED panel, offering better energy efficiency, a longer lifespan, and higher brightness potential than the M12 panel used in the iPhone 15.
In short, the iPhone 17's display should feel smoother, brighter, and more modern — a long-awaited upgrade over the iPhone 15’s decent but dated screen.
For the biometrics, Apple will surely be sticking to Face ID, though the iPhone 17 may have a slightly smaller Face ID module.
The iPhone 17 is expected to address these longstanding complaints with a 6.27-inch OLED panel featuring ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate — a first for a base iPhone model. It will use Samsung’s newer M14 OLED panel, offering better energy efficiency, a longer lifespan, and higher brightness potential than the M12 panel used in the iPhone 15.
In short, the iPhone 17's display should feel smoother, brighter, and more modern — a long-awaited upgrade over the iPhone 15’s decent but dated screen.
For the biometrics, Apple will surely be sticking to Face ID, though the iPhone 17 may have a slightly smaller Face ID module.
Performance and Software
An AI-ready Apple A19 chip
When it comes to performance, the iPhone 15 is still a really capable phone, but the iPhone 17 will, of course, have the advantage.
The iPhone 15 uses the A16 Bionic chip (4nm), a powerful processor initially debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro series. It delivers smooth everyday performance and efficiency, but it isn't built with AI in mind.
The iPhone 17, meanwhile, is expected to feature the new A19 chip — although it is likely still be based on the 3nm process (like the iPhone 16) rather than the previously rumored 2nm node. It is also said to feature 8 GB of RAM, up from the 6 GB in the iPhone 15, helping the iPhone 17 handle future AI features and heavier multitasking better.
The iPhone 15 uses the A16 Bionic chip (4nm), a powerful processor initially debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro series. It delivers smooth everyday performance and efficiency, but it isn't built with AI in mind.
The iPhone 17, meanwhile, is expected to feature the new A19 chip — although it is likely still be based on the 3nm process (like the iPhone 16) rather than the previously rumored 2nm node. It is also said to feature 8 GB of RAM, up from the 6 GB in the iPhone 15, helping the iPhone 17 handle future AI features and heavier multitasking better.
Update: iOS 26 brings a major visual and some functional changes
iOS 26 introduces the new Liquid Glass design, which is a modern, semi-transparent UI overhaul that touches everything from menus to widgets. The new design can be subtle for most of the time, or you can turn on the Clear Look mode, which can make navigation a bit hard as it hinders readability.
You also get a dynamic wallpaper on the lock screen that shifts based on time and notifications, plus animated album art in the Music app.
The Camera app is also simplified: now only essential modes are shown by default, and you swipe to reveal the rest.
There’s also a helpful new Call Screening feature that silences telemarketers, as well as spam filtering in Messages. Apple has also added Live Translate for phone calls, bringing a real-time interpreter to your conversations — something we’ve seen on Android before, but it’s new to iOS.
Other small but welcome updates include routine-aware suggestions in Apple Maps and a much less confusing Photos app layout. Oh, and Messages now supports typing indicators, chat backgrounds, and even group polls — finally.
The iPhone 15 will get all these features too, but some of the more advanced Apple Intelligence tools coming in 2026 may be limited due to its older chip and lower RAM. That’s where the iPhone 17's extra horsepower will really shine, especially if you're planning to keep your phone for several years.
Other small but welcome updates include routine-aware suggestions in Apple Maps and a much less confusing Photos app layout. Oh, and Messages now supports typing indicators, chat backgrounds, and even group polls — finally.
The iPhone 15 will get all these features too, but some of the more advanced Apple Intelligence tools coming in 2026 may be limited due to its older chip and lower RAM. That’s where the iPhone 17's extra horsepower will really shine, especially if you're planning to keep your phone for several years.
Camera
New, more powerful selfie camera on the iPhone 17
Photography is where the iPhone 17 will offer another important upgrade over the iPhone 15.
The camera setup on the iPhone 15 is as follows:
While the iPhone 17 camera setup is expected to have:
The camera setup on the iPhone 15 is as follows:
- 48 MP main camera (shoots 24 MP by default with pixel binning, 48 MP optional)
- 12 MP ultra-wide camera
- 12 MP selfie camera
- 48 MP main camera (likely refined from the 15's)
- 12 MP ultra-wide camera
- 24 MP upgraded selfie camera
While both phones rely on a 48 MP main sensor for photography, the iPhone 17’s 24 MP selfie camera is a significant leap over the iPhone 15’s 12 MP sensor. Selfies should have much sharper details, better low-light performance, and more flexibility for cropping thanks to the higher resolution.
Neither model has a dedicated zoom lens though — for that, you would still have to pick one of the Pro models.
Battery Life and Charging
Mostly the same
The iPhone 15 delivered results during our gaming battery tests but slightly lower results for browsing and video. It came with a 3,349 mAh battery, and although it supported USB-C, it still offered only 20W wired and 15W MagSafe wireless charging speeds.
The iPhone 17 is expected to feature a slightly larger ~3,600 mAh battery with improvements in efficiency thanks to the new stacked battery technology and chipset optimizations. However, no major gains in fast charging are expected: wired speeds will likely stay around 20-27W.
The iPhone 17 is expected to feature a slightly larger ~3,600 mAh battery with improvements in efficiency thanks to the new stacked battery technology and chipset optimizations. However, no major gains in fast charging are expected: wired speeds will likely stay around 20-27W.
Specs Comparison
Here's a quick look at the expected iPhone 17 vs iPhone15 specs comparison:
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|
| Size, weight TBD (similar footprint) | Size, weight 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 171 g |
| Screen 6.7" OLED 120Hz ProMotion | Screen 6.1" OLED 60Hz |
| Processor A19 3nm | Processor A16 Bionic 4nm |
| Versions: 8/128 GB 8/256 GB 8/512 GB LPDDR5 | Versions: 6/128 GB 6/256 GB 6/512 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cameras: 48 MP main 12 MP ultra 24 MP front | Cameras: 48 MP main 12 MP ultra 12 MP front |
| Battery: 3,600 mAh | Battery: 3,349 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 27W wired MagSafe | Charging: USB-C 23W wired MagSafe |
Summary
The iPhone 17 is shaping up to be a significant upgrade over the iPhone 15 in several key areas. The much smoother and brighter display alone is a massive reason to upgrade, and the faster and more future-proof chipset, a sharper selfie camera, and a more refined ergonomic design aren't too bad either.
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If you already own an iPhone 15, and you're satisfied with its performance and camera quality, that's totally fine too, as long as you are not craving that 120Hz too much.
Keep in mind that the pricing for the iPhone 17 could be higher due to global tariffs, so you might have to weigh whether the visual and performance enhancements justify the potential extra cost.
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