Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Apple iPhone 17

Our Verdict: If you've got the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 17 is two years of updates on from it. The 15 Plus 5G packs the bigger battery, 4383mAh against 3692mAh, which should mean longer between charges in day-to-day use, and the 15 Plus 5G has the bigger screen, 6.7" against 6.3". The 17 is the lighter phone at 177g against 201g. Coming from the 15 Plus 5G, the 17 is a genuine upgrade rather than a token one.

The 17 is the cheaper one to own: around £801 over a typical contract, £44 less than the 15 Plus 5G.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
4.5
12 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.3"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1290 x 2796 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch
460 458
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Apple A19 Pro
Battery
4,383 mAh 3,692 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm
Weight
201 grams 177 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£67.33/mo (£30.00 upfront) £29.99/mo (£59.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£349.00 £599.00

Prices updated 17 July 2026

Apple iPhone 15 Plus Apple iPhone 15 Plus Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
4.5
12 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.3"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1290 x 2796 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch 460 458
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Apple A19 Pro
Battery 4,383 mAh 3,692 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm
Weight 201 grams 177 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £67.33/mo
£30.00 upfront
£29.99/mo
£59.00 upfront
SIM-free £349.00 £599.00
Prices updated 17 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Apple iPhone 15 Plus

12 Months

128GB

Black

Refurbished

5GB

Data

£67.33 per month, £30 upfront.

Apple iPhone 17
Apple iPhone 17

24 Months

256GB

Sage

Refurbished

50GB

Data

£29.99 per month, £59 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or Apple iPhone 17 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 17 is cheaper on contract at £801.16 over the life of the deal from £29.99 per month with £59.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 17's 6.3", both screens are similarly sharp at around 460 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Apple iPhone 17 has a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 17 has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £349.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 17 comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Apple iPhone 17 use?

The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is powered by the Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm), while the Apple iPhone 17 uses the Apple A19 Pro.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 17 is the more portable of the two: it's 24g lighter at 177 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Apple iPhone 17 run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.