iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Posted by New Case on 26th Jul 2025
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Written by Brad Jackson, Tech Editor – New Case
1. Quick spec sheet
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 17 (rumoured) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ 60 Hz OLED, Dynamic Island | 6.3″ 120 Hz OLED, smaller Dynamic Island |
| Chipset | A18 (3 nm) | A19 / A19 Pro (3 nm N3P) |
| RAM | 8 GB | Up to 12 GB |
| Rear cameras | 48 MP wide + 12 MP ultra‑wide | 48 MP wide + 48 MP telephoto (Pro) + 12 MP ultra‑wide |
| Battery | ≈ 3 561 mAh | Smaller on 17 Air, denser cells on Pro/Max |
| Charging | 27 W wired · 15 W MagSafe | ≈ 30 W wired · faster Qi 2.2, reverse wireless |
| OS at launch | iOS 18 | iOS 19 |
2. Design & build – slimmer, lighter, aluminium everywhere
The leaked “iPhone 17 Air” may be just 5.5 mm thin, making it the slimmest iPhone since the iPod‑era classics. Apple is reportedly moving back to aluminium frames for weight savings, while Pro models gain a full‑width camera bar. That means iPhone 16 cases will not fit; new cut‑outs are required for the redesigned camera hump and Action Button 2.0.
3. Display upgrades – 120 Hz for all
Every 17‑series handset is expected to adopt 120 Hz ProMotion. Combine that with a narrower Dynamic Island and up‑to‑2 400‑nit peak brightness and you’re looking at a visibly smoother, brighter screen—handy under Australia’s harsh summer sun.
4. Performance & chipset – enter the A19
The A19 and A19 Pro chips should deliver around 15 % CPU and 25 % GPU gains while using 30 % less power, plus a beefier Neural Engine for on‑device AI. Pro models also add vapour‑chamber cooling to keep frame temps in check during 4 K ProRes recording.
5. Camera changes – telephoto goes 48 MP
Pro variants are tipped to move to a 48 MP periscope telephoto sensor capable of 3.5×–7× optical zoom, while the selfie camera jumps to 24 MP with dual‑pixel autofocus. Expect crisper night shots and support for 8 K/30 fps video on the Pro Max.
6. Battery life & charging – smaller cells, smarter software
The 17 Air’s ultra‑thin body forces a smaller cell, but Apple offsets that with high‑density silicon‑carbon batteries and an adaptive power mode in iOS 19. Wired charging reportedly climbs to 30 W, and Qi 2.2 MagSafe reaches 20 W with new reverse‑wireless capability for AirPods.
7. Connectivity & MagSafe
Look for Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6E and USB‑C as standard. MagSafe coils have been re‑engineered for stronger attachment and faster Qi 2.2 throughput, and may finally support power‑out for accessories.
8. Price & Aussie availability
Leaked pricing suggests small bumps over the 16‑series, roughly:
- iPhone 17 – A$1 699
- iPhone 17 Air – A$1 999
- iPhone 17 Pro – A$2 199
- iPhone 17 Pro Max – A$2 499
Pre‑orders normally open mid‑September, with stock landing a week later.
9. Should you upgrade?
Upgrade if: you want 120 Hz everywhere, a lighter chassis, or the new telephoto zoom.
Hold off if: your iPhone 16 already meets your needs and you value proven battery life over early‑adopter perks.
Either way, our first‑wave iPhone 17 cases — rugged, slim and wallet styles — land the same week as pre‑orders.
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