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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.
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Get the iPhone 17 and enjoy improved design, better battery life, and top-tier performance. Right now, you can pre-order the device for $0.00/mo. with phone trade-ins and new line activation on a select Unlimited plan at Verizon.
The slimmest iPhone is here! You can now pre-order the powerful iPhone Air at Verizon for $0.00/mo. with a new line activation on the Unlimited Ultimate plan and a trade-in. This is an online-only offer.
With the iPhone 17, Apple finally fixes those shortcomings. The new model introduces a 120Hz ProMotion display, an upgraded 48 MP ultrawide camera, and a completely new 18 MP Center Stage selfie camera. We also have the new A19 chip, 8 GB RAM, stacked battery technology with faster charging, and Apple Intelligence support, all making the new base iPhone a much better deal than its two-year predecessor.
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)
Mostly the same design as the iPhone 16. | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 15 refined Apple’s design formula with a softer aluminum frame, a textured matte back, and the addition of the Dynamic Island cutout. It kept a familiar look, but with minor ergonomic improvements.
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.
The iPhone 17 continues to feature the rather uncomfortable Camera Control Button introduced with the iPhone 16 series, alongside the familiar Action button and USB-C port that came with the iPhone 15.
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)
Apple now applies a seven-layer anti-reflective coating to the iPhone 17 series.
It is less advanced than what you find on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, yet side-by-side footage from MrWhoseTheBoss shows a clear reduction in reflections compared to the iPhone 16.
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 NVMe storage
RAM, Storage 6/128 GB 6/256 GB 6/512 GB
LPDDR5 RAM NVMe storage
iOS 26 coming on both models, but the iPhone 17 will support more AI features. | Image credit — Apple
Both phones run iOS 26, which introduces the new Liquid Glass design, Live Translate, Call Screening, smarter Messages, and a redesigned Camera app. Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone 17 but limited on the iPhone 15 due to hardware constraints.
Recommended Stories
Camera
Sharper selfies and a much better ultrawide
A 48 MP ultrawide that brings an upgraded Macro mode. | Image credit — Apple
The iPhone 15 was the first base iPhone with a 48 MP main sensor, but its ultrawide stayed at 12 MP, and selfies were limited to 12 MP.
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 Official Sample Photos:
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.
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 17 benefits from a new stacked battery design, which improves energy density and durability. It also charges much faster: up to 40W wired (50% in ~20 minutes) with Apple’s new 40W adapter, and up to 25W wireless with MagSafe or Qi2.2-certified chargers.
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.
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.
Compared to the iPhone 15, the improvements are massive. And with Apple keeping the price at $799 while doubling base storage, the iPhone 17 is also one of the best-value base models in years.
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.
Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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