iPhone 15 vs. 17: what are the main differences and improvements

What’s new on the iPhone 17 compared to the iPhone 15?

The most important changes at a glance:

• The display: the iPhone 17 gets ProMotion (120Hz) and an Always-On display across all models. The iPhone 15 remains at 60Hz, which looks less smooth.
• The camera: the iPhone 17 has a better selfie camera; 18 megapixels instead of 12.
• Speed: the iPhone 17 comes with the new A19 chip, while the iPhone 15 runs on the A16 chip.
• Memory: the iPhone 17 has 8GB of RAM, the iPhone 15 has 6GB.
• Charging: the iPhone 17 charges at 40W instead of 20W, and 30W wirelessly instead of 15W, via MagSafe.

In this comparison blog, we’ll take a closer look at the most important differences between these two iPhones.

Design of the iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 17

The design of the iPhone 17 is similar to that of the iPhone 15, but it has been slightly refined. The display is bigger (6.3 inches), and the iPhone 17 also has thinner bezels. Both devices come with an aluminum frame and glass back.

Dimensions

• iPhone 15: a 6.1-inch display, 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm
• iPhone 17: slightly larger thanks to the 6.3-inch display, 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm

The action button

The iPhone 17, like the iPhone 16, comes with a programmable action button. With it, you can quickly start the camera, turn on the flashlight, or control another function that you set yourself.

Available colors

iPhone 15 colors:

• Blue
• Yellow
• Green
• Pink
• Black

iPhone 17 colors:

• Light purple
• Green
• Light blue
• White
• Black

Display of the iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 17

There are two important differences:

1. The screen size goes from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches.
2. The iPhone 17 gets 120Hz ProMotion for a smoother display than the iPhone 15.

The result? Scrolling and videos feel and look much smoother. Plus, with the slightly larger display, watching your favorite series and movies will become even more enjoyable. And for gaming, the bigger, smoother screen should also be a welcome improvement.

Dynamic Island

Both models also come with the Dynamic Island. This feature shows you information from timers, music, calls, and navigation. The bar automatically adapts to the app you are using. It works the same on both phones.

The processor of the iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 17

The processor in the iPhone 17 delivers more speed and better AI performance. The A16 chip in the iPhone 15 is already powerful, but the A19 represents a significant improvement. The chip is more energy-efficient, faster, and offers better support for advanced AI features. Combined with the 8 GB of RAM instead of the 6 GB of the iPhone 15, the iPhone 17 is much more future-proof.

Charging: iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 17

When it comes to charging, the iPhone 17 makes a big leap forward. Where the iPhone 15 charges at 20W with a cable, the iPhone 17 goes up to 40W. According to Apple, this means the iPhone 17 can charge up to 50% in just 20 minutes. Wireless charging is also faster at 30W instead of 15W via MagSafe.

As for battery life, Apple says that the iPhone 17 can play videos for up to 30 hours. The company is not sharing all specifications yet.

Camera quality: iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 17

The biggest upgrade in cameras is in the selfie camera of the iPhone 17. For your social media, selfies, and video calls there's a nice improvement: the selfie camera goes from 12 megapixels to 18 megapixels.

Both devices also have a main camera and an ultrawide lens, which allow you to use portrait mode and zoom features. In short: the iPhone 15 already takes beautiful photos. The iPhone 17 adds smart AI functions and extra sharpness.

Cameras of the iPhone 15

• 48 megapixel main camera
• 12 megapixel ultrawide
• 12 megapixel selfie camera

Cameras of the iPhone 17

• 48 megapixel main camera
• 48 megapixel ultrawide
• 18 megapixel selfie camera with A19 chip for AI improvements such as better object recognition, improved night photos, and automatic cropping with background adjustment

The iPhone 17 Air

In addition to the regular model and the Pro models, Apple is also launching a completely new model: the iPhone Air. It's an extra thin device with just one camera. In this case, it is a 48MP Fusion main camera, which Apple says combines multiple lenses in one. With a price of €1229, the iPhone Air is certainly not a budget model.

eSIM only for the iPhone 17 Air

The iPhone 17 Air also has another unique feature: there is no SIM card slot. You can only use an eSIM. No worries: at Simyo, you can easily get your eSIM. Is eSIM new to you? When switching, you can simply keep your current number.

Specifications iPhone 15 and iPhone 17

Buy your new iPhone at Simyo

At Simyo, you can purchase your iPhone with an affordable plan. Right now, you can choose from the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16e . The iPhone 17 is not yet available at Simyo.

Would you like to extend your Simyo plan with a new iPhone? Go to Mijn Simyo to get your deal.

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