iPhone 17: Why it’s more than just an upgrade

The wait is finally over. Pre-orders for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and Apple’s all-new iPhone Air are now live in the UK.

Apple has once again raised the bar with the release of the iPhone 17 - and this time, it’s not just about a shiny new design. Packed with smart upgrades, better performance, and features that make real sense for everyday use, the iPhone 17 is shaping up to be one of the most practical releases yet.

If you’re debating whether it’s worth moving on from your current device, let’s break down exactly what’s changed - including a few things you might not know.

At a Glance: What’s New in the iPhone 17

We’ve pulled together the highlights into one quick table, so you can see the improvements at a glance:

Feature	What's New	Why It Matters	Did You Know?
Display	Brighter Super Retina XDR with adaptive refresh rate. 6.3" screen	Clearer viewing in sunlight, smoother scrolling	Uses up to 20% less power than iPhone's 16 screen
Processor	A19 Bionic chip	Faster app performance, smoother multitasking	AI enhancements mean predictive text and Siri are noticeably smarter
Camera	Enhanced low-light lens + improved zoom. 48 mega pixel	Better photos in all conditions	New AI tools auto-edit images in seconds
Battery	Efficiency gains from A19 chip	Longer life between charges	Average users get 2 extra hours of daily use
Connectivity	Faster 5G and Wi-Fi 7	Quicker downloads, smoother video calls	Can stream 4K without buffering (if your provider supports it)
Durability	Stronger front glass + scratch resistance	Stays looking new for longer	Materials are 100% recycled aluminium
Sustainability	More recycled components	Eco-friendly build	The most sustainable iPhone yet
Future-Ready	Seamless with Apple Vision Pro	Futureproof for AR/VR tech	Designed to integrate with upcoming Apple products

Design

For the first time, the new iPhones have Ceramic Shield on the back of the handsets as well, while the front has the updated Ceramic Shield 2, which adds an anti-reflective coating and a different kind of extra protection, specifically against scratches.

The colours are new this year, and show a quieter palette than the iPhone 16 range. Black, White, Sage, Mist Blue, and Lavender are the names. The blue and lavender are pale, almost white in some lights, with green the gaudiest (and we'd say most attractive) shade here.

Cameras

There are two rear cameras on the iPhone 17 and for the first time, both have 48-megapixel resolution. This is another serious upgrade for the regular model in the range, which previously had two 12-megapixel cameras, or one 12-megapixel and one 48-megapixel.

The main camera is designed so that a 2x zoom equivalent is achieved by cropping into the central area of the sensor, giving a 12-megapixel image with no digital zoom.

The ultra-wide camera, meanwhile, newly upgraded to 48 megapixels, delivers more detail for richer images, even in lower light, and can also be used for macro shots.

Performance and battery life

The Apple A19 chip in the iPhone 17 is brand new, though it’s not as powerful as the A19 Pro found in the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro. Even so, it’s designed to run Apple Intelligence features, and ensure the everyday use of the phone is fast and smooth.

And efficiencies in the operating system and the processor help contribute to the strong battery life. Like the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, the quoted battery life has gone up on the iPhone 16. Apple says that if you measure battery life in video playback, you’ve got up to 30 hours here, which is far more than the 22 hours the iPhone 16 managed.

Ready to take the next step? Whether you’re looking to upgrade to the latest iPhone or explore a tailored business mobile plan, our team at Delta 365 is here to help. Get in touch today to find the right handset and tariff to keep your business connected and ahead of the curve.