Comparison
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 17: Is It Time to Upgrade?
The iPhone 17 is a big step up from the iPhone 15: a 120Hz always-on screen, Apple Intelligence, a 48MP ultra wide, an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera and up to 10 more hours of video playback. The iPhone 15 is the pick if you just need a solid USB-C iPhone.
Buy the iPhone 17 if you want a 120Hz always-on screen, Apple Intelligence, much longer battery life and 256GB to start. Buy the iPhone 15 if you want a dependable iPhone with USB-C, the Dynamic Island and a 48MP camera.
You want a smooth 120Hz always-on screen
You want Apple Intelligence
You want much longer battery life
You plan to keep your phone for many years
You want the lowest price on a USB-C iPhone
You don't need Apple Intelligence
60Hz and 20 hours of video playback are enough for you
You want a physical SIM tray
Skip both if: you need a telephoto lens. Neither has one. Look at the iPhone 17 Pro.
The short version
Two years separate these phones, and it shows. The iPhone 17 has a bigger 6.3-inch screen with ProMotion up to 120Hz and an always-on display. The iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch 60Hz screen.
The iPhone 17 supports Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 15 does not. The iPhone 17 also adds the Action button, Camera Control, a 48MP ultra wide with macro, an 18MP Center Stage front camera and up to 30 hours of video playback against up to 20 hours.
The iPhone 15 still has the parts most people use every day: a 48MP main camera with 2x optical-quality zoom, the Dynamic Island, USB-C, Face ID and IP68. If you mostly text, browse, stream and take casual photos, it is still a good phone.
What's different
See every spec side by side
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | September 2023 | September 2025 |
| Screen | 6.1" OLED, Dynamic Island | 6.3" OLED, Dynamic Island |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | Up to 120Hz ProMotion |
| Always-on display | No | Yes |
| Peak brightness (outdoor) | 2000 nits | 3000 nits |
| Chip | A16 Bionic | A19 |
| Apple Intelligence | No | Yes |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB |
| Main camera | 48MP, 2x optical-quality zoom | 48MP Fusion, 2x optical-quality zoom |
| Ultra wide | 12MP | 48MP, with macro |
| Front camera | 12MP | 18MP Center Stage |
| Buttons | Ring/Silent switch | Action button and Camera Control |
| Video playback | Up to 20 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Fast charging (wired) | 50% in about 30 min (20W) | 50% in 20 min (40W) |
| MagSafe / Qi2 | Up to 15W | Up to 25W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 2) |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Weight | 171 g | 177 g |
| SIM (Canadian models) | nano-SIM and eSIM | eSIM only |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) |
| Refurbished price | From $569.99 | From $1,159.99 |
Screen
The screen is the upgrade you notice first.
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The iPhone 17 refreshes at up to 120Hz, so scrolling and animations look much smoother than the 60Hz iPhone 15. It also has an always-on display that keeps the time, widgets and notifications visible on a dimmed lock screen.
The iPhone 17 screen is bigger at 6.3 inches, gets brighter outdoors at up to 3000 nits against 2000 nits, and has an anti-reflective coating with Ceramic Shield 2 on top.
Battery life and charging
Apple rates the iPhone 17 at up to 30 hours of video playback.
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The iPhone 15 is rated at up to 20 hours. That is a big gap, and a heavy user will feel it by the evening.
The iPhone 17 also charges faster: 50% in about 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter, against about 30 minutes with a 20W adapter on the iPhone 15. MagSafe and Qi2 go up to 25W on the iPhone 17 and up to 15W on the iPhone 15.
Apple Intelligence and the new buttons
Apple Intelligence needs an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, so the regular iPhone 15 does not get it.
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The iPhone 17 does, including Writing Tools, Clean Up in Photos, Genmoji, Image Playground and notification summaries.
The iPhone 17 also replaces the Ring/Silent switch with the Action button, which you can set to the flashlight, a voice memo, a shortcut and more. Camera Control on the side opens the camera, takes photos and lets you zoom with a swipe.
Cameras
The main camera is 48MP on both, with 2x optical-quality zoom, so everyday photos are closer than you might expect.
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The ultra wide is where the iPhone 17 pulls ahead. It is 48MP against 12MP and it handles macro shots. The iPhone 15 cannot shoot macro. The iPhone 17 front camera is an 18MP Center Stage camera that can widen the frame for group selfies without turning the phone. The iPhone 15 has a 12MP front camera.
Storage, size and SIM
The iPhone 17 starts at 256GB.
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The iPhone 15 starts at 128GB, which fills up fast with 4K video. If you choose the iPhone 15, the 256GB model is worth a look.
The iPhone 17 is a bit bigger and heavier, 177 g against 171 g. Cases don't carry over. Canadian iPhone 17 models are eSIM only, while the Canadian iPhone 15 has a nano-SIM tray and eSIM. If you use a physical SIM, check that your provider supports eSIM first. All our phones are unlocked.
Price range
Refurbished, the iPhone 15 starts at $569.99 and the iPhone 17 starts at $1,159.99. Higher storage and better grades cost more. Prices on this page update live from our store.
Somewhere in between? The iPhone 16 adds Apple Intelligence and Camera Control to the iPhone 15 design. Browse the iPhone 16 series and iPhone 17 series, or sell or trade in your current phone.
Should you buy new or refurbished?
Apple no longer sells the iPhone 15 new, so refurbished is the easiest way to get one, and a refurbished iPhone 17 saves you money on a current model.
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Every phone we sell is inspected and tested, unlocked, and backed by up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns. Grades describe looks only. Read new vs used vs refurbished.
Still choosing? Our buying guides: best phones in Canada, best camera phones, best battery life and best phones for seniors.
FAQ
Should I upgrade from the iPhone 15 to the iPhone 17?
If your battery no longer lasts the day, or you want Apple Intelligence or a 120Hz screen, yes. The iPhone 17 is better in almost every way. If your iPhone 15 still works well for you, there is no rush.
Does the iPhone 15 support Apple Intelligence?
No. Only the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max in the iPhone 15 family support it. Every iPhone 17 model does.
How much better is the iPhone 17 battery than the iPhone 15?
Apple rates the iPhone 17 at up to 30 hours of video playback against up to 20 hours for the iPhone 15, about 10 more hours.
Is the iPhone 17 bigger than the iPhone 15?
Slightly. The iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch screen and weighs 177 g. The iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch screen and weighs 171 g.
Does the iPhone 17 have a SIM card slot in Canada?
No. Canadian iPhone 17 models are eSIM only. The Canadian iPhone 15 has a nano-SIM tray and eSIM.
Still choosing? Read our guide to which iPhone to buy.
See them side by side: compare every spec and today's prices by condition, or add a third phone.
Skip the new-phone price
Get the iPhone 17 pre-owned from $1,159.99, tested by real technicians with up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns.
