When Apple launches new iPhones every year, it’s not always easy to decide if the upgrade is really worth it. I’ve personally used both the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 17 as daily drivers, so instead of just looking at specs on paper, I’ll share how they actually feel in real-world use. If you’re wondering whether to keep your iPhone 15 or jump to the iPhone 17, this comparison should help.
Design
The iPhone 15 was already a very comfortable phone to hold. At 171 grams with a slim 7.8mm profile, it was pocket-friendly and light enough to use all day. I had the blue version, which looked soft and subtle, though Apple also offered green, yellow, pink, and black.
When I switched to the iPhone 17, the first thing I noticed was the slightly larger body and a bit of extra weight (177 grams). It’s not heavy by any means, but side by side, you can feel the difference. Apple also improved durability with Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, which I appreciate since I once dropped my 15 and had to live with a tiny corner scratch.
Both are IP68 water resistant, but the iPhone 17 looks more polished with slimmer bezels and better color options. In short, the 15 feels simple and light, while the 17 feels a little more premium in hand.
Winner: iPhone 17 (though the iPhone 15 is still great for one-hand use).
Display
The iPhone 15’s 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED was already bright enough outdoors and produced rich colors. Watching HDR content on YouTube or Netflix looked fantastic, and in daily use, I had no complaints.
But when I moved to the iPhone 17, I could tell the difference right away. The screen is a touch larger (6.3 inches) and, more importantly, it supports 120Hz refresh rate. Scrolling through Twitter, Instagram, or even switching between apps feels smoother. The brightness boost also makes HDR video pop more in direct sunlight.
The only thing is, if you’ve never used a 120Hz screen before, you might not feel you’re missing much on the iPhone 15. But once you do, it’s hard to go back.
Winner: iPhone 17 (mainly for smooth 120Hz).
Performance
The iPhone 15 is powered by the A16 Bionic, and honestly, it never felt slow to me. I could play heavy games like Genshin Impact, edit photos, and switch apps without issues. For regular users, the A16 still has plenty of power.
The iPhone 17, with its A19 chip and 8GB RAM, feels faster especially when multitasking. I noticed this the most when editing 4K videos in CapCut and exporting them the iPhone 17 did it quicker and didn’t heat up as much. Benchmarks are higher too, but what really matters is how it feels in use, and yes, the iPhone 17 is snappier.
Both run iOS 26, but since the iPhone 17 launched with it, it’ll obviously get updates for longer.
Winner: iPhone 17 (though the iPhone 15 is still perfectly fine for everyday users).
Cameras
The iPhone 15 introduced the 48MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide. I took some stunning shots with it, especially portraits and low-light photos. The main camera produced a lot of detail, though the ultrawide was just “okay.” The 12MP selfie camera was solid for video calls and selfies but nothing exceptional.
Switching to the iPhone 17 was a noticeable jump. Now both the main and ultrawide are 48MP, and the difference in landscape shots is huge. My ultrawide photos look sharper and more detailed than on the iPhone 15. The selfie camera also went up to 18MP, and I can definitely see clearer skin texture and better HDR balance in bright sunlight selfies.
Video is where Apple always shines, and the iPhone 17 goes further with Dolby Vision HDR at higher frame rates and smoother stabilization. If you’re into TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram content, the iPhone 17 is clearly better.
Winner: iPhone 17 (better ultrawide + selfie + video features).
Battery Life and Charging
With the iPhone 15, I usually got through a day with around 13 hours of mixed use. By the evening, I’d be down to around 20%. Charging with the 20W wired charger gave me 50% in about 30 minutes, which was fine.
The iPhone 17 gave me an extra push around 15 hours of use before I needed to plug in. That may not sound like a lot, but in real life, it means I can go out at night without worrying too much. Charging is also faster: 50% in just 20 minutes with PD3.2, and wireless charging on Qi2 is quicker too.
Winner: iPhone 17 (lasts longer and charges faster).
Connectivity & Extras
The iPhone 15 already supported 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3. It worked flawlessly for me. But the iPhone 17 takes things up a notch with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0.
I don’t “see” the difference daily, but it does feel a bit more future-proof. Both have satellite SOS and Face ID, but the iPhone 17 adds spatial audio recording and a new-gen Ultra Wideband chip, which helps with AirTags and other ecosystem devices.
Winner: iPhone 17 (future-proof extras).
Price vs Value
Here’s where things get tricky.
- My iPhone 15 was priced at around $399 / €543 when I got it.
- The iPhone 17, on the other hand, cost me closer to $799/ €949.
That’s a massive difference. For many people, the iPhone 15 still offers excellent value and is powerful enough for years to come. But if you’re willing to pay more for future-proofing, the iPhone 17 definitely feels like the more premium package.
Final Verdict After Using Both
After living with both, here’s my honest take:
- If you already own the iPhone 15, you don’t need to upgrade unless you really want the better camera system and longer battery life. It’s still a fantastic phone for most people.
- If you’re choosing between the two right now, the iPhone 17 is clearly the stronger phone. It’s smoother with 120Hz, faster with the A19 chip, and better for creators with its upgraded cameras and video tools.
Personally, I don’t regret upgrading because I create a lot of content and use my phone heavily every day. But if your usage is lighter, the iPhone 15 will still serve you well without burning your wallet.
See Also iPhone 16 vs 17: Key Upgrades, Features, and Value in 2025
FAQs
Is the iPhone 17 worth upgrading from the iPhone 15?
If you already own the iPhone 15, you don’t need to rush to upgrade unless you really want the better cameras, smoother 120Hz display, and longer battery life.
What’s the biggest difference between iPhone 15 and iPhone 17?
The iPhone 17 brings a brighter 120Hz display, A19 chip with faster performance, dual 48MP rear cameras, and longer-lasting battery compared to the iPhone 15.
Does the iPhone 17 have better cameras than the iPhone 15?
Yes. The iPhone 17 upgrades the ultrawide to 48MP and the selfie camera to 18MP, offering sharper photos, better HDR, and improved video features.
How much better is the iPhone 17 battery compared to iPhone 15?
The iPhone 15 lasts around 13 hours, while the iPhone 17 pushes closer to 15 hours with faster wired and Qi2 wireless charging support.
Is the iPhone 15 still worth buying in 2025–2026?
Absolutely. The iPhone 15 still has strong performance, a 48MP main camera, and years of iOS updates ahead. It’s the better value option if budget matters.
