iPhone 15 vs iPhone 17: is a used 15 the smarter buy?
Everything that changed between the 15 and the 17, what it costs to have it, and whether a QDN Certified 15 with a 15-month warranty is the better deal.
The short answer
Apple sells the iPhone 17 new from $799. A QDN Certified 15 costs a fraction of that when in stock. For that you give up a newer chip, Apple Intelligence and the bigger screen. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 15 is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17.
iPhone 17
New from Apple and carriers
$799
Apple’s launch price. Not sold by QDN.
What actually differs
Only the rows where the two phones are not identical. A tick marks the side that wins the row.
The 17 runs the A19, a generation ahead of the A16 Bionic. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.
17 wins
Only the 17 supports Apple Intelligence (writing tools, notification summaries, the smarter Siri). If that matters to you, it settles the choice.
17 wins
The 17 has the bigger screen, 6.3″ against 6.1″. Bigger is better for video and reading; smaller is easier one-handed.
17 wins
The 17 has a 120 Hz ProMotion display; the 15 is 60 Hz. Scrolling and animation look noticeably smoother at 120 Hz, and the always-on display comes with it.
17 wins
Cameras: the 15 has 48 MP main, 12 MP ultra wide; the 17 has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide.
17 wins
The 17 adds the Camera Control button for opening the camera and adjusting exposure or zoom without touching the screen.
17 wins
Battery: Apple rates the 17 at up to 30 hours of video playback against 20 for the 15. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.
17 wins
The 17 has the customisable Action button in place of the mute switch.
17 wins
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 17: full spec sheet
Apple’s published specifications. Highlighted rows differ.
- Released
- 20232025
- Display
- 6.1″, 60 Hz, Dynamic Island6.3″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island
- Chip
- A16 BionicA19
- RAM
- 6 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)8 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)
- Rear cameras
- 2: 48 MP main · 12 MP ultra wide2: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide
- Optical zoom
- No telephoto lensNo telephoto lens
- Battery
- Up to 20 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)Up to 30 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)
- Charging port
- USB-CUSB-C
- Frame
- AluminumAluminum
- Weight
- 171 g177 g
- 5G
- YesYes
- Satellite SOS
- YesYes
- Apple Intelligence
- NoYes
- Action button
- No (ring/silent switch)Yes
- Camera Control
- NoYes
- Apple launch price
- $799$799
| Spec | iPhone 15 | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2023 | 2025 |
| Display | 6.1″, 60 Hz, Dynamic Island | 6.3″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island |
| Chip | A16 Bionic | A19 |
| RAM | 6 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it) | 8 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it) |
| Rear cameras | 2: 48 MP main · 12 MP ultra wide | 2: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide |
| Optical zoom | No telephoto lens | No telephoto lens |
| Battery | Up to 20 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery) | Up to 30 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery) |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Weight | 171 g | 177 g |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence | No | Yes |
| Action button | No (ring/silent switch) | Yes |
| Camera Control | No | Yes |
| Apple launch price | $799 | $799 |
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 17: common questions
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 17?
The 17 runs the A19, a generation ahead of the A16 Bionic. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.
Is the iPhone 17 worth the extra over the iPhone 15?
Apple sells the iPhone 17 new from $799. A QDN Certified 15 costs a fraction of that when in stock. For that you give up a newer chip, Apple Intelligence and the bigger screen. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 15 is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 17?
Cameras: the 15 has 48 MP main, 12 MP ultra wide; the 17 has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide.
Which has the better battery?
Battery: Apple rates the 17 at up to 30 hours of video playback against 20 for the 15. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.
Do both support Apple Intelligence?
Only the iPhone 17 does. Apple Intelligence needs an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPhone 16 or later.
Does QDN sell the iPhone 17?
Not yet. We sell QDN Certified pre-owned iPhones from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 appears here so you can see exactly what a used 15 gives up against Apple's current line-up.
Related comparisons
See what is in stock
Each QDN listing is one specific phone: storage, colour and battery health shown up front. Inspected, unlocked, 15-month warranty, free US shipping.
- 15-month warranty
- Free US shipping
- Case, protector & cable included