Another year, another wave of incredible technology to get excited about. With the iPhone 16 family firmly in our hands, the buzz is already building for what comes next: the iPhone 17. If you’re holding onto an iPhone 16, you might be wondering, “Should I upgrade to the iPhone 17?” It’s the big question every autumn, and we’re here to help you answer it.
At Swappie, we believe everyone deserves tech they can feel good about. That means making a choice that’s right for your needs and your wallet. Let’s dive into the confirmed features of the iPhone 16 and stack them up against the exciting, credible rumours for the iPhone 17 to see if the upgrade makes sense for you.
At a glance: iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 17 (rumoured)
| Feature | iPhone 16 Series | iPhone 17 Series (Based on Rumours) | The Bottom Line |
| Display | Super Retina XDR, ProMotion on Pro models (60Hz on standard) | Super Retina XDR with ProMotion 120Hz for all models. Higher peak brightness and more durable Ceramic Shield 2. | A huge win for standard model users who will get buttery-smooth scrolling for the first time. |
| Processor | A18 (Standard) / A18 Pro (Pro models) | A19 (Standard) / A19 Pro (Pro models) | A solid jump in performance and efficiency, especially for gaming and AI tasks. |
| Rear Camera | Dual 48MP/12MP (Standard), Triple 48MP/48MP/12MP (Pro) | Dual 48MP/48MP (Standard), Triple 48MP system (Pro), up to 8x optical zoom (Pro). | A significant leap across the board, especially for zoom and low-light on Pro models. |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth | Upgraded 18MP or 24MP Center Stage camera. | Sharper, more detailed selfies and video calls are on the horizon. |
| Battery Life | Good all-day performance, with Pro Max leading. | Minor improvements for standard models, but more significant gains expected for Pro models. | A welcome boost, but the iPhone 16 is already a strong performer. |
| Design | Aluminium/Titanium frames, vertical camera layout (Standard). | Potential return to Aluminium for Pro, new horizontal camera design (Pro), possible new ultra-thin model. | A potential design refresh for the Pro line and an exciting new form factor. |
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Display: a smoother experience for everyone
The iPhone 16 family continued to offer gorgeous Super Retina XDR displays, but one of the biggest differences remained between the standard and Pro models: ProMotion. The silky-smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate was reserved for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, leaving the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus with a 60Hz screen.
This is tipped to be the biggest and most welcome change with the iPhone 17.
According to highly credible reports, all models in the iPhone 17 lineup are expected to feature a ProMotion display. This would be a game-changer for the standard iPhone 17, bringing fluid scrolling, more responsive gaming, and an overall more premium feel to the entire range.
Furthermore, rumours suggest the iPhone 17 Pro models will push the boundaries of brightness, potentially reaching higher peak brightness, making them even easier to view in direct sunlight. They’re also expected to feature a new, more durable Ceramic Shield 2 front glass with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare.
Should you upgrade for the display? If you have a standard iPhone 16, the jump to a 120Hz ProMotion display on the iPhone 17 will be a hugely noticeable and satisfying upgrade. For iPhone 16 Pro users, the improvements will be more subtle but still welcome.
Camera: a pro-level leap forward
The iPhone 16 Pro already boasts a formidable camera system, with a 48MP Main, 48MP Ultra-Wide, and a 12MP Telephoto lens. The standard iPhone 16 features a powerful 48MP Main camera but sticks with a 12MP Ultra-Wide.
The iPhone 17 is poised to shake things up significantly, especially for the Pro models. The headline rumour is that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will feature a triple-lens system where all three cameras are 48MP sensors. This would offer incredible detail and quality across all focal lengths. The telephoto lens, in particular, is rumoured to get a major boost, with some sources pointing to an 8x optical zoom, a massive increase from the 5x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro.
Even the standard iPhone 17 is expected to see its Ultra-Wide camera upgraded to a 48MP sensor, bringing it closer to the Pro line.
And let’s not forget the front camera. After years with a trusty 12MP sensor, the entire iPhone 17 range is rumoured to be getting a substantial upgrade to either an 18MP or 24MP sensor.
Should you upgrade for the camera? If you are a photography enthusiast, especially one who loves to zoom, the iPhone 17 Pro looks like an unmissable upgrade. The consistency of three 48MP lenses and the power of an 8x optical zoom would be a massive creative leap. For everyone else, the upgraded front camera will be a fantastic, everyday improvement.
Performance: the power of the A19 chip
Apple’s A-series chips are industry-leading, and the A18 and A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 lineup are no exception. They handle everything from demanding games to complex productivity tasks with ease.
As expected, the iPhone 17 series will introduce the next generation of Apple silicon: the A19 and A19 Pro chips. Built on a new 3nm process, these chips are expected to deliver another solid boost in both CPU and GPU performance, with a particular focus on improving sustained performance for long gaming sessions.
This enhanced power will also be crucial for the next generation of Apple Intelligence features, making on-device AI tasks faster and more capable.
Should you upgrade for performance? For the average user, the iPhone 16 is already incredibly powerful. However, if you are a serious mobile gamer, a content creator who edits 4K video on your phone, or someone who always wants the absolute fastest and most future-proof device, the A19 Pro will deliver.
Battery life and charging: powering through your day
The iPhone 16 series offers excellent, all-day battery life, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max being a true endurance champion.
The iPhone 17 is expected to build on this solid foundation. While dramatic leaps aren’t predicted, the combination of a more efficient A19 chip and power-saving display technology could result in welcome incremental gains.
Should you upgrade for the battery? Probably not. The iPhone 16 family already provides reliable, all-day battery life. While the iPhone 17 will likely be a bit better, it may not be a big enough difference on its own to justify the switch for most people.
Our final thoughts: to upgrade or not to upgrade?
So, should you upgrade from the iPhone 16 to the iPhone 17? As always, it comes down to what you value most.
Upgrade to the iPhone 17 if:
- You own a standard iPhone 16 and have been waiting for a 120Hz ProMotion display. This will be the single biggest experiential upgrade for you.
- You are a passionate photographer or videographer. The rumoured camera improvements in the iPhone 17 Pro, especially the triple 48MP system and 8x zoom, are substantial.
- You are a power user or mobile gamer who will truly benefit from the performance gains of the A19 Pro chip.
- You love having the very latest in design and technology.
Stick with your iPhone 16 if:
- You are perfectly happy with its performance, camera quality, and all-day battery life. The iPhone 16 is a fantastic phone that will feel fast and capable for years to come.
- You have an iPhone 16 Pro. While the iPhone 17 Pro offers exciting upgrades, the day-to-day difference might feel more evolutionary than revolutionary.
- You want the best value. Waiting a year often means you can get a nearly-new, certified refurbished iPhone 17 from Swappie at a much better price, giving you all the benefits without the brand-new price tag.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. The iPhone 16 is a brilliant device, and the iPhone 17 looks set to raise the bar even higher. Whichever you choose, you’re getting a piece of technology you can feel good about.