Is the promise of a better display and faster charging worth the wait, or does the current generation already offer everything you need? This is the dilemma many face when deciding whether to splurge on the latest flagship or make a more budget-friendly and sustainable choice with a high-quality refurbished device.
Display and Design: ProMotion Finally Hits the Standard Model
The most significant upgrade for the iPhone 17 is in its display technology. While the iPhone 16 still relies on a standard 60Hz OLED panel, the iPhone 17 finally brings the 120Hz ProMotion display to the base model. This makes animations and scrolling feel much smoother—a premium experience previously reserved for the Pro series.
The screen size has also evolved. The iPhone 17 features a slightly larger 6.3-inch OLED panel, up from the 6.1-inch display on the iPhone 16. Brightness has seen a major boost as well; the iPhone 17 reaches a peak of 3,000 nits, compared to the 2,000 nits on the iPhone 16, ensuring the screen stays perfectly clear even in direct, harsh sunlight.
Performance and Chipset: A19 vs. A18
Both generations are built on a cutting-edge 3nm process, but the iPhone 17 is powered by the new A19 chip, succeeding the iPhone 16’s A18. Geekbench multi-core tests show the iPhone 17 scoring roughly 8,798 points, while the iPhone 16 comes in at around 7,899. While an 11% performance jump is solid on paper, the average user likely won’t notice a difference when browsing social media or checking emails.
The real power of the A19 only shines during heavy workloads, such as high-end mobile gaming or complex video editing. Notably, both devices feature 8GB of RAM, which is plenty for running Apple Intelligence features smoothly. For a deeper dive into the technical specs of these processors, check out our Apple A-series chip comparison.
Camera Systems: Better Detail and Sharper Selfies
For those who prioritize photography, the iPhone 17 offers a major upgrade to the ultra-wide lens. While the iPhone 16 uses a 12MP sensor, the iPhone 17 steps up to a 48MP ultra-wide camera, allowing for significantly more detail and better performance in low light. The front-facing camera also gets a boost, featuring an 18MP sensor equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for sharper, steadier selfies.
You can find a more in-depth look at how these cameras have evolved in our iPhone camera comparison. If professional-grade photography is your main goal, a refurbished older Pro model often offers more bang for your buck than a brand-new standard model.
Battery Life and Faster Charging
Battery performance is always a top priority. The iPhone 17 houses a 3,692 mAh battery, a slight increase over the 3,561 mAh battery in the iPhone 16. Combined with the efficiency of the A19 chip, the iPhone 17 can deliver up to 30 hours of video playback, compared to 22 hours on the iPhone 16. That’s a massive leap that could easily make the difference between your phone lasting through the night or dying on the commute home.
Charging speed is also getting a long-awaited bump. The iPhone 17 supports up to 35W fast charging, significantly cutting down the time your phone spends tethered to a wall compared to the 20W charging on the iPhone 16. To keep your battery in top shape, follow our guide on extending iPhone battery life. All the chargers and cables you need are available in our shop.
Why Choose a Refurbished Device from UPGREAT?
The latest innovations are tempting, but a refurbished iPhone 16 or even an iPhone 15 is still a powerhouse capable of handling almost anything you throw at it. By choosing refurbished, you’re doing a favor for your wallet and the planet. Manufacturing a single new smartphone generates an average of 70–80 kg of CO2; opting for a refurbished model can reduce that carbon footprint by up to 80%.
Every UPGREAT device undergoes a rigorous inspection by certified technicians and includes a 2-year warranty for peace of mind. If you’re looking to buy, read our tips on how to check the condition of a used iPhone to shop with confidence. Browse our full selection of refurbished iPhones to find your perfect match.
Have an old phone lying around? Use our trade-in service to get credit toward your next purchase. And don’t forget to protect your new device with one of our MagSafe cases.
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