Apple’s new iPhone models always create excitement, and now we are talking about iPhone 15 and rumored iPhone 17. If you are thinking that Apple has only given small upgrades or has really made a big jump, then this comparison will give you all the clarity. iPhone 15 made its entry with a fresh design and solid performance in its time, but looking at the leaks and rumors of iPhone 17, it seems that this time Apple is going to give Pro-level fun even in its base models. Let’s start this comparison story with a friendly and slightly desi touch.
Design and Display
Apple made quite a noticeable change in the design of the iPhone 15. For the first time, it had softer and contoured edges, which made the phone feel more comfortable in the hand. The back panel was of textured matte finish which gave a premium feel. Talking about the display, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen was found, but the slight disappointment was that the refresh rate was only 60Hz. Yes, the addition of Dynamic Island was a big highlight which replaced the notch and gave the phone a fresh look.
Now if we believe the rumors, the iPhone 17 is going to make a big splash in terms of display. It is said that the iPhone 17 will also bring 120Hz ProMotion display in the base model, which was till now a feature of only Pro models. This will be a game-changer, because the experience of scrolling, animations and gaming will go to the next level. The screen is also going to be a little bigger, up to about 6.3-inches, and technology is being used to make the bezels thinner. Meaning, a very modern and smooth experience is going to be achieved.
Performance and Processor
When it comes to performance, the A16 Bionic chip was used in the iPhone 15, which was powerful and efficient. Along with this, there was 6GB of RAM, which made multitasking and gaming easy. But one thing was missing in it and that is the support for Apple Intelligence, which is a hot topic these days.
The leaks of the iPhone 17 suggest that it will get the A19 chip, which will be more advanced and based on the 3nm process. Along with this, the RAM is being increased to 8GB. Along with the performance, the efficiency will also level-up. And the most interesting thing is that due to this new combo, the iPhone 17 will get powerful on-device AI features, which is the main focus of iOS 26. Whether it is multitasking or gaming or using AI tools, the iPhone 17 will be one step ahead in everything.
Upgrade of Cameras
The cameras of Apple phones are always a highlight, and the story here is also interesting. The camera setup of iPhone 15 was a dual system with a 48MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens. For selfie lovers, there was a 12MP front camera which gave decent quality.
But a big upgrade is expected in the case of front camera in iPhone 17. According to rumors, it will have a 24MP selfie camera which will be the biggest leap for non-Pro iPhones till now. Both the quality of selfies and video calls will go to the next-level. There is not much change in the setup of the rear cameras, but the ultrawide lens is being upgraded to 48MP, which will be a great improvement for low-light photography and wide shots. Meaning this is a great update for camera lovers.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is always an important factor for iPhone users. The iPhone 15 had a 3,349mAh battery which worked fine for average use. Charging support was limited to 20W wired and 15W MagSafe wireless charging. Meaning it worked but it seemed a bit slow for fast charging lovers.
According to rumors, the battery in iPhone 17 can be 3,561mAh or more. A big jump is also expected in charging speeds, which will support 35W wired and 50W MagSafe wireless charging. Meaning you are going to find the charging time drastically less and the usage throughout the day will be easily managed. This upgrade will definitely be noticeable in daily life.
Extra Features and Future-Ready Touch
Apple has added some future-ready features with every new model. iPhone 15 came with Wi-Fi 6E and iOS 17 which was the latest of its time. But rumors and leaks of iPhone 17 are saying that it will support Wi-Fi 7 and it will come in the box with iOS 26. Meaning it is future-proof in terms of both software and connectivity.
Is it worth upgrading?
Now comes the biggest thing — should iPhone 15 users jump to iPhone 17? Overall, the iPhone 17 is a solid upgrade, especially in terms of display, camera, and charging. The 120Hz display alone is a feature that makes the entire user experience fluid and enjoyable. The new chip, more RAM, and upgraded selfie camera make it even more powerful.
If you already have the iPhone 15, it will depend on how much difference you want. If you want a smoother display and better selfies, then the upgrade will definitely be worth it. But if you are using an older model like the iPhone 13 or 14, then the iPhone 17 is a no-brainer upgrade. This will give you a completely fresh and future-ready experience