Should You Upgrade from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 17?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 17, 2 years apart.
Yes — the iPhone 17 is a worthwhile upgrade
The iPhone 17 is 2 years newer than the iPhone 15, and the BeastScore rises from 69.7 to 76.9. The biggest improvements: performance rated 8 points higher, display rated 26 points higher, 343 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: 6 g heavier.
What you gain with the iPhone 17
- +Performance rated 8 points higher
- +Display rated 26 points higher
- +343 mAh bigger battery
- +20W faster wired charging
- +10W faster wireless charging
- +0.2" larger screen
- +Smoother display (+60Hz refresh rate)
- +1,000 nits brighter peak display
- +2 GB more RAM
What you give up
- −6 g heavier
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 69.7 | 76.9 | +7.2 (10%) |
| Performance score | 72 | 80 | +8 (11%) |
| Camera score | 82 | 82 | No real change |
| Battery score | 58 | 58 | No real change |
| Display score | 64 | 90 | +26 (41%) |
| Battery capacity | 3,349 mAh | 3,692 mAh | +343 mAh (10%) |
| Wired charging | 20W | 40W | +20W (100%) |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | +10W (67%) |
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.3" | +0.2" (3%) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | +60Hz (100%) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits | +1,000 nits (50%) |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP | No real change |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | +2 GB (33%) |
| Weight | 171 g | 177 g | +6 g (4%) |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 | No real change |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 17: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 17?
Yes — the iPhone 17 is a worthwhile upgrade. The iPhone 17 is 2 years newer than the iPhone 15, and the BeastScore rises from 69.7 to 76.9. The biggest improvements: performance rated 8 points higher, display rated 26 points higher, 343 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: 6 g heavier.
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 17?
Performance rated 8 points higher: 72 on the iPhone 15 vs 80 on the iPhone 17.
Does the iPhone 17 have a bigger battery than the iPhone 15?
The iPhone 17 has a 3,692 mAh battery versus 3,349 mAh on the iPhone 15 (+343 mAh (10%)).
Who should upgrade to the iPhone 17?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.