You won't buy an iPhone 17! Because Apple this year it is clearly betting on evolution instead of revolution – the 17th generation phone will only slightly improved version already known model. Numerous rumors predict improvements, but no groundbreaking innovations for the average user. One could jokingly say that Apple is a bit of a “cooking a frog”, is slowly raising the temperature of innovation so that users don't even notice when we are almost completely in the future. So let's see what are the key reasons why to the owner iPhone 16 Buying an iPhone 17 just won't seem like a good idea.

If you have an iPhone 16, you won't buy an iPhone 17 this year

1. Almost unchanged shape and design – this is why you won't buy an iPhone 17 this year

Apple this year with the 17 model apparently will not drastically transform your phone. Reliable sources (Mark Gurman and others) report that no “particularly bold new look” to be expected – the front will be practically the same as the iPhone 16, but the biggest change to the exterior is expected to be on the back. But there won’t be anything dramatic there either: instead of separate round “islands” for each lens, the camera is said to be the trio of cameras were combined into a wider rectangular band across the upper back. This one you camera bar It will reportedly be the same color as the case, without any two-tone contrasts, so it will be very discreet at first glance. The result? The iPhone 17 will look almost identical to the iPhone 16. It could be provocatively said that Apple is “saving the fireworks for 2027” this year – the 20th anniversary of the iPhone is expected to bring some truly radical changes, such as a foldable screen or a completely new Ultra model. Until then, we’re sticking with the tried and tested: an elegantly curved metal body and a recognizable Apple design, which – hand in hand – a little boringSo if you were hoping that the new model would instantly let everyone know that you have the “latest iPhone,” you’re in for a disappointment. Your friends will probably think you’re still using last year’s model, unless they have a X-ray eyes for little things like a wider camera on the back. Nothing revolutionary, just slight cosmetics.

2. The screen and user experience remain the same – this is why you won't buy an iPhone 17 this year

Also front view does not reveal anything new. Screen remains practically the same as the 16-inch – a top-notch OLED panel, but with the same notched “Dynamic Island” neckline than ever. Rumors that Apple will finally remove the Face ID camera under the screen, were quickly cooled – the technology will not be ready until at least 2026. Therefore, the recognizable “pill” at the top of the screen remained, maybe a little smaller, but still there. The refresh rate will also remain 120 Hz on the Pro models (Apple's ProMotion), which is super smooth, but you already had that with the Pro model last year. It's true that it should standard iPhone 17 (and the new ultra-thin 17 Air) for the first time got a 120 Hz screen instead of 60 Hz, which is good news for buyers of cheaper modelsBut if you already have an iPhone 16, this doesn't particularly bother you - your screen was already vibrant (if you have a 16 Pro) or you obviously didn't complain too much at 60 Hz. In short, the user experience when looking at the screen will be practically identical on the “17”. No new gestures, no holograms or AR projections, just same great screen like last year. Yours iPhone 16 will get the same beauties by installing iOS 17/18 (such as new widgets or features) that the iPhone 17 will have - so you won't feel deprived in everyday use.

3. Faster chip, but in practice you'll hardly notice it - this is why you won't buy an iPhone 17 this year

Of course, the iPhone 17 will get newer processor (there is talk of an A19 Pro chip for the Pro models), but ask yourself – is your iPhone 16 anything today? slow Does it open? Probably not. A18 chip in the “sixteen” it already flies at all tasks. The difference that the A19 will bring will be measurable in tests and future demanding applications, but not necessarily in everyday life scrolling Instagram. As they found when comparing previous generations, Response times when opening applications and playing games are almost the same from year to year – in reality, it is difficult for a user to distinguish whether a task took 0.8 seconds or 0.7 seconds. Even if the A19 brings, for example, 15–20 % better performance, your iPhone 16 will still ran all games and applications without lagThe difference only becomes apparent in the long run – older models start to wear out a year earlier. But considering that your iPhone will be 16 survived at least 3–4 more years of continuous operation without any problems, with updates included, you don't have to rush to change. The average user will not notice any notable difference in speed and performance between iPhone 16 and 17. Maybe a game will load a second faster or you'll be able to have 50 tabs open in Safari instead of 40 because of more RAM - but let's be honest, most of this she will neither notice nor take advantage.

4. Camera upgrades are especially exciting for professionals – this is why you won't buy an iPhone 17 this year

Every year, Apple makes sure that “best ever” cameras, and the iPhone 17 will be no exception. The triple camera system is said to have 48+48+48 MP sensors (main, ultra-wide and telephoto all with the same high resolution). This is impressive on paper – it means, for example, better detail when zooming in and equal quality from all lenses. There is also talk of improved optical zoom – maybe 6x zoom on the Pro Max model instead of 5x. Apple will no doubt boast that the cameras now achieve “pro-level capabilities” and are more in line with DSLR cameras. All of this is, of course, music to the ears of mobile photographers and videographers. If you are professional or enthusiast, which squeezes the most out of your phone, these upgrades are tempting - more megapixels means more options in post-processing, and better zoom means a shot you couldn't capture before.

What average user, who mainly uses his phone to take pictures of lunches, selfies, and the occasional vacation photo? For him, it will be iPhone 17 camera very similar in practice the one on the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 (especially the Pro) already has an excellent 48 MP camera, which in mode pixel binning It takes beautiful shots, the ultra-wide and telephoto are good enough for Instagram and family albums. Extra megapixels and a slightly better aperture with the new model they will only be noticeable if you compare the pictures under a magnifying glass or are you recording for professional purposes. Also any 8K video or some exclusive video trick on the 17 Pro Max (if there is one at all) is aimed at those who create for a large screen or demanding projects - for the average user, 4K@60fps (which the iPhone 16 can already do) is more than enough. Photos of your pets or mirror selfies won't be any less liked if they're taken with an iPhone 16 instead of an iPhone 17. Unless you're a professional photographer, you won't take advantage of all the improvements and they will be practically invisible to you. On top of that, Apple will also achieve that with camera upgrades, your iPhone 16 may still reign supreme on DxOMark rankings for a few months after the release of the “17” – because the differences really won't be huge.

5. More battery – but not enough to make you forget the charger

One of most praised improvements with iPhone 17 it will definitely be battery. Especially the model 17 Pro Max is said to have the largest battery ever – around 5000 mAh, which is about 7 % more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max (4676 mAh). Sounds great: finally Apple will be able to say that the phone lasts two days moderate use. But in reality it is about a small step forward, but not for a miracle. 7 % more capacity means, for example, one hour of additional web browsing. The iPhone 16 Pro Max already has a great battery, which easily lasts a whole day or more – these few percent differences will only be noticeable to those who really stare at the screen constantly. In addition, the jumps in the other models should be minimal; the battery capacity numbers are very similar to the 15/16 generation and improvements in autonomy will come mainly from chip and software optimizations. Apple is said to boast a new type of battery (talked about silicon-anode batteries), but don't expect miracles - all devices will still need daily charging as before.

Charging may also be a little faster (there is mention of an increase from 27 W to around 35W when charging wired), but Apple probably won't make a big fuss about this. In practice, this means about 10 minutes faster to 100%, which isn't exactly groundbreaking. In short, The iPhone 17 doesn't introduce a battery revolutionIf you've been charging your phone every night, you'll continue to do so. If you were hoping that with the new model you could forgot the charger at home all weekend, we have to disappoint you – unless you do it on purpose used less, will also need to be plugged in to charge on Monday, the 17th. The only exception might be if you get excited about a potential model iPhone 17 Air, which will be ultra-thin, but with half the battery size (~2800 mAh) – you will be there for sure charging twice a day. But we doubt that the average user will sacrifice battery life for a millimeter thinner phone. For most remain a recommendation: your iPhone 16 has a pretty decent battery, which iOS will optimize even better with new updates – It's not worth replacing your phone because of the battery..

6. Same software and functionalities

The rule for smartphones is that software makes up half the experienceAnd luckily, Apple is spoiling its users here – the latest iOS they always get models that are a few generations old too. The iPhone 17 will run on iOS 19 when it's released (or maybe already on 19.1), but also yours iPhone 16 will receive 99 % of all new features with the same updateThe user interface will be identical, the same applications will work and get new features, and the security improvements will be the same. There will be almost nothing "software" that would remain out of your reach if you keep the 16. It's true that Apple sometimes holds back advanced features for new devices - this year there's been a lot of talk about integration of artificial intelligence into the system (so Apple Intelligence). Rumor has it that the iPhone 17 Pro will be the first phone designed with a focus on generative AI and that some smart features in iOS 19 will be exclusive because they require the new A19 chip. For example, there is mention of an improved Siri, which will summarize information more intelligently, on-device algorithms for photo and video editing, and personalized advice throughout the system. But the question is how much of this will really useful in practice – and is there anything missing in your life because Siri doesn't write songs for you yet? Apple will of course highlight AI as a big deal, but average users will probably only notice minor improvements, like your phone being a little better at organizing your photo gallery or suggesting answers.

Also older iPhones will get some of these features – e.g. iPhone 16 already supports Apple Intelligence for object recognition on the camera and the like. In short, you will use the same app, the same game, the same TikTok in a very similar way on both generationsThere is no such thing. killer new services or features that would make me absolutely need an iPhone 17. In an age where phones are already so powerful, most breaches occur on servers and in the cloud, not so much in the device itself. Your iPhone 16 will continue to receive updates for many years to come – and with that, you'll feel like you practically have it. "new phone" every year, even if the hardware remains the same.

7. High price – it's hard to justify the cost for minimal innovations – this is also why you won't buy an iPhone 17 this year

Let's be frank: every new iPhone is expensive, especially in Europe. The prices of the Pro models range well over 1300 € in our country, basic models around €900. If you bought an iPhone 16 last year, you probably paid a similar amount for it – and The iPhone 17 won't be any cheaperIn fact, unofficially, it sounds like Apple might raise the price a bit more due to the more expensive components. Now ask yourself: Is it worth paying another ~€1000+? (considering that you might sell a used 16 for a little less), for a phone that will give you almost identical experience? The economy here is not sparing – upgrading every year hits you in the pocket more than if you change every 2-3 years. In two years, Apple usually offers some more tangible innovations, but not in one year. If you have limited budget or are you just thinking rationally, you will I'd rather save money. (or invest in some other gadget, like Apple Vision or the new AirPods Pro), instead of financing minimal phone improvements.

At the same time, let's not forget about the value of your iPhone 16 – is still very high. The used iPhone market is lively and a one-year-old device will hold its price. But that's exactly why iPhone 17 won't be any cheaper, if you wanted to replace it – the difference you'll have to pay when selling the old one and buying a new one will probably be a few hundred euros. For what? For status symbol with one digit higher than the designation. If this is the only “upgrade” that others notice, you have to ask yourself if it is worth half the minimum wage. Almost 100 % you can get the same functionality with your existing phone.

Apple likes to convince us through marketing that we absolutely need the latest, but the fact is that the iPhone 17 is sold primarily to those who they don't have iPhone 16. You will feel a bigger difference. Owners of the latest models are the least likely target for Apple. – and rightly so, because you already have a great device. So why would you refill the Cupertino coffers every year when you get very little in return? Your wallet will be thrilled if you ever say, “No thanks, I’ll skip it this year.”

8. You won't miss a thing (and the planet will thank you)

FOMO – fear of missing out – is true, especially in the tech community. But with the iPhone 17 you don't have to worry about missing something importantAs we summarized above, it will your user experience with 16 is almost identical the one on the 17th. No revolutionary functionality, no new “must have” qualities that would make you unpopular in society if you didn't have them. Memes There will be no quarrel between friends over the "old" phone, because in reality they will hardly notice the difference visually.

In a world where technology is developing at the speed of light, it's ironic to say - a A one-year-old iPhone is not outdated at allWhat's more, by skipping the unnecessary upgrade, you contribute to sustainability: less electronic waste and less consumerism. Apple likes to boast about environmental goals (e.g. carbon neutrality by 2030), but the most eco what you can do as a user is to you use your phone longer and you only replace it when you really notice that it's no longer serving you well. With the iPhone 16, that certainly won't happen for a few more years.

It is also important to note that Apple is intentionally introducing big changes gradually – so in a few years, when enough new things have accumulated, friendly encourage you to switch. There simply aren't enough new features like this this time. If you decide to skip 2024, maybe 2025 or 2026 will be an even more delicious upgrade because you'll actually get a noticeably different device. You will save money, nerves and time., while still enjoying one of the best phones on the market – the one you already have in your pocket.

9. It's smarter to wait for a real revolution

History teaches us that Apple hits harder every few yearsLet's remember how the iPhone X brought a new design and OLED screen after years of the same shape, or how the iPhone 12 changed the body shape to retro flat edges. iPhone 17 obviously it is not the one that will be recorded as a turning point. It seems that this will be the last “classic” generation before major changes. There is already talk in the corridors about 2027, when the iPhone will celebrate its 20th anniversary - that is when it is expected to see the light of day the first foldable iPhone, maybe completely portless models, or at least some awesome AR trick that will redefine the phone again. Until then, Apple is playing it safe: slow down honing in on the details instead of bold leaps. iPhone 17 will be like this more than anything else laid the foundations for the future – introduced some technologies (AI, Wi-Fi 7, camera bar) in a sophisticated, but gradual way.

If you're already at 16, you're practically at the top of this transitional hill. The next big hill worth climbing is yet to come. Wait a generation or two can turn out to be a great decision: then the difference will be noticeable and every euro you invest will bring more joy. Or as in the joke about boiling a frog mentioned above – Apple didn't raise the temperature much this year, so you can continue to soak in the water. But when the bubbles start to boil (read: when the real technological bomb comes), you will clearly feel it and then it will be the right time to jump to a new iPhone.

When is it even worth upgrading to the iPhone 17?

After all of the above, it seems that the answer is no – but let's admit, there are exceptions, which would consider buying an iPhone 17 despite having a 16. Who are these users?

• Passionate photographers and videographers: If you use your phone as primary content creation tool, you'll actually benefit from the upgraded cameras. The additional 48 MP sensors and better optical zoom can save you from carrying around DSLR gear. Professionals, who film, photograph, or create for clients every day, will appreciate improvements that the average eye cannot see. For them, iPhone 17 will be like new upgraded tool, which even more closely rivals professional equipment – and in this case, upgrading is an investment in the quality of work.
• Technology enthusiasts (geeks): There are always users who they must have the latest toy, even if it only brings minimal improvements. These are the ones who are excited by the smell of a new box and who enjoy testing every new feature, such as AI integration in iOS, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, or some hidden featurethat others overlook. App developers or AR/VR enthusiasts also sometimes need the latest hardware to test the limits of what is possible. For them, the iPhone 17 is a kind of A sneak peek into the future, and although they know that upgrading is irrational, they joy of technology seduce.

For all the rest of us – regular users who use their phones for a mix of communication, entertainment and everyday tasks – will iPhone 17 seemed not enough differentto justify your purchase. If you have an iPhone 16, you can rest assured that time will not run you over: your phone will continue to great, fast, with an exceptional camera and updates that will keep it freshYou might reconsider the situation next fall – but until then, enjoy your sixteenth birthday and smile because you’re technologically advanced. the trend has changed without falling for marketing. As the saying goes: “If it ain't broke, don't fix it” – or in this case, don't replace. iPhone 17 will wait, and you won't miss a thing.