Tech
10th October 2025 • 8 min read
iPhone 17 is finally here, featuring several big updates that make the decision about whether to upgrade that bit tougher! If you currently own an iPhone 15 you’ll already be enjoying strong performance and impressive features, so let’s take a closer look at what’s new so you can make a truly informed decision on upgrading to iPhone 17.
One of the biggest upgrades is the display, which Apple have bumped up to a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. That means scrolling, transitions, games and animations all feel much smoother compared to the 6.1-inch, 60Hz screen iPhone 15. New Ceramic Shield 2 makes the screen 3x more resistant to scratches. You also get significantly better outdoor screen visibility thanks to 3,000 nits peak brightness, compared to 2,000 previously. So, bigger, faster, smoother and brighter!
On the performance side, iPhone 17’s new A19 chip gives you improved speed, and better efficiency too. That means app launches, gaming, and multitasking are all faster, and demanding tasks such as photo editing will run more smoothly.
Because the A19 chip is more efficient, it contributes to better battery life, with a big jump up to 30 hours of video playback, compared to 20 hours for iPhone 15. What’s more, wired charging is now faster too - iPhone 17 can hit 50% charge in about 20 minutes with a 40W adapter.
There's some big improvements at both the front and back of iPhone 17. The rear camera features dual 48-megapixel (MP) sensors, with a new 48MP ultra-wide lens replacing the previous 12MP, which means you can capture more detail, especially in wide shots or low light. The front camera also goes up from 12MP to 18MP and adds a ‘Centre Stage’ auto-rotating feature which automatically keeps you at centre of the framing, even if you move about or rotate the phone between portrait and landscape. The new Dual Capture video mode also lets you record from front and rear cameras at the same time – perfect for shooting reaction shots.
Apple has doubled the base storage to 256GB for iPhone 17, which means you can keep thousands of photos, videos, apps, and games on your phone. It’s perfect for anyone who loves shooting 4K videos, downloading movies for travel, or keeping a full library of music and podcasts on hand. If you’re a content creator or keen photographer, there are even larger storage options available too - 512GB or 1TB.
If you currently own an iPhone 15, get ready for a big step up in performance. The iPhone 17 display is slightly bigger at 6.3-inches but it still feels easy to handle. The screen is also brighter, so you can see it more clearly outside, with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate (up from 60Hz) that’s perfect for streaming and gaming. iPhone 17’s super scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2 screen coating keeps your phone looking box fresh for longer too. Battery life now goes 50% further than iPhone 15, and with faster charging both wired and wireless, it’s far easier to keep topped up on busy days.
Apple’s new A19 chip is huge step forward from the iPhone 15’s A16 Bionic processor, giving you access to Apple Intelligence features that use artificial intelligence (AI) to make your life run smoother in a variety of ways. You get a seamless and intuitive user experience, using AI across Messages, FaceTime, and Safari to assist in everyday tasks while still protecting your privacy. Smart Writing Tools are super handy for helping you to craft emails and messages on the go, while Live Translation gives you real-time translation during conversations so you can be understood everywhere you go.
iPhone 17 also offers major improvements on the camera front, with a newly upgraded 48MP ultra-wide sensor for shooting sharper, more detailed images in any light conditions. Additionally, there’s now an 18MP Centre Stage front camera, offering enhanced clarity and the ability to rotate images without physically rotating the phone, making selfies and group shots easier to capture. Dual Capture now lets you shoot front-and-back video, which is great for vloggers and anyone looking to capture reactions alongside their primary footage. Finally, storage on the basic model has now doubled to 256GB from the iPhone 15’s 128GB for all your storage needs.
Overall, If you use your phone for photography, gaming, streaming, or just want a smoother, longer-lasting experience, the iPhone 17 easily earns its place as the next big step up.
Trading in your old iPhone is a great way to cut the cost of upgrading to a new iPhone 17. Instead of letting your previous device gather dust in a drawer, you can turn it into instant value that makes the latest tech a whole lot more affordable. The newer your current device, and the better its condition, the more you will get for it, of course. There are various trade-in options, including Very’s trade-in partnership with MTR, which makes the process quick and hassle-free. You simply get a quote online for your current phone, send it off using a prepaid label or envelope, and once it’s checked over, you’ll receive a payment or credit towards your shiny, new iPhone 17.
If you use your phone a lot - for photography, video, gaming, travel, or just a lot of day-to-day tasks - then iPhone 17 offers enough meaningful upgrades to ensure it will feel substantially better. Whether you’re into photography, productivity, or just love having the latest tech, iPhone 17 is Apple’s best all-rounder yet. Learn about the other iPhone models on our iPhone buying guide.
