Skip or splurge? Breaking down the upgrade decision
Every year, when the new Apple series launches, Apple fans face the same question: Should you upgrade, or is your current iPhone still enough? Since the iPhone 17 is officially here, and the excitement is palpable, everyone is whispering in hushed tones whether the iPhone 17 is a big update or just a fine-tuned version of the previous iPhone 16.
Without knowing the specifications, you cannot know what’s inside. And, if you are confused about whether you should upgrade or not, let us tell you that both phones are sleek, powerful, and robust. What makes a difference is your usage of the iPhone 16 and expectations for the iPhone 17. So, let’s find out what’s new in 2025!
Power under the hood: A19 vs A18
Performance is the core of any iPhone. It plays a major role when upgrading to a new iPhone. The iPhone 16 runs on Apple’s A18 Bionic chip. It is fast and reliable and works perfectly fine for daily tasks. On the other hand, the iPhone 17 comes with the new A19 chip, which offers fast processing and enhanced AAA gaming. However, both phones support Apple Intelligence, but the iPhone 17 leans into it harder. With new iOS 26 features like Live Translation, Image Playground, and Genmoji, the iPhone 17’s AI-enhanced performance boosts your productivity like anything.
Camera experience: Good vs even better
Apple has a legacy of integrating pro-grade cameras that turn real-life moments into cinematic stills. And, the upgrade this time is clear here. The iPhone 16 comes with a solid 48MP main sensor plus a 12MP lens alongside a 12MP selfie camera. So, it captures clear pictures and records smooth and stable 4K videos.
Now, the iPhone 17 takes it one step ahead with its new fusion system. It offers a 48MP Fusion Main camera with a 48MP Ultra-Wide camera. Moreover, its front camera jumps to 18MP and adds Center Stage for better group selfies and video calls. With features like Clean Up, you can erase distractions from the background.
Battery life and charging: A practical win
For many people, battery life matters more than flashy new tricks. The iPhone 16 offers up to 22 hours of video playback and handles full-day usage comfortably. With a 30W adapter, the iPhone 16 charges 50% in around 30 minutes. The iPhone 17 now offers all-day battery life, plus fast charging with a 40W adapter. Moreover, the new iPhone 17 gives up to 8 hours of video playback in just 10 minutes of charging. So, if you are a power user, the iPhone 17 is the most impactful upgrade that you will notice in your day-to-day life.
Design and display: A subtle evolution
The iPhone 16 looks and feels premium with its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and delivers crisp detail and bright colours. The iPhone 17 has made some thoughtful tweaks. Its borders are slimmer, the display stretches slightly to 6.3 inches, and ProMotion with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures flawless scrolling and visuals. Moreover, with Ceramic Shield 2, which is more scratch-resistant, the iPhone 17 looks better and stays durable for years to come.
To sum up, the iPhone 17 has brought some serious changes in terms of style, performance, and innovation. But if you are already using an iPhone 16, it is still a good phone. So, unless you’re a tech enthusiast who loves to stay updated, the iPhone 16 should work just fine. But, if you are using an older model than the iPhone 16, you can definitely go for the iPhone 17.
