iPhone 17 vs iPhone 14: Should you upgrade yet?

If your iPhone 14 is looking a little long in the tooth, the iPhone 17 might be the excuse to upgrade you've been waiting for.

Although Apple has only just announced the new device, we reckon we've got enough info to help you decide if you should step up from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 17. Whether it's down to wear and tear, or just a desire for something fast and fresh, those who have waited until now to upgrade will be rewarded with a decent range of improvements.  

Here's what we know about the new iPhone 17, and how it compares with the iPhone 14. 

The most obvious differences between the iPhone 14 and the new iPhone 17 are visible at a glance. Dig a little deeper though, and you'll find the latter isn't just a natural evolution on a familiar formula. It's a clear improvement on it.

Where the iPhone 14 is built around a 6.1-inch Super XDR Retina Display, the new iPhone 17 features a 6.3-inch Super XDR Retina Display clocked at a higher 120Hz. The newer model also features a Dynamic Island like the one introduced by the iPhone 15. This feature is a souped up version of the "notch" display cutout found on older iPhone models that can expand, shrink and animate depending on the situation to display relevant information or app-specific shortcuts.

Both devices come with IP68 water resistance, anti-reflective coating and Ceramic Shield protection. However, only the iPhone 17 comes with the Action Button and Camera Control buttons introduced in last year's models. The former is a a side-mounted customisable shortcut key. Meanwhile, the latter is a touch-sensitive button that launches you directly into the camera app. It also lets you adjust image settings via swiping, which can make for a more streamlined smartphone photography experience. 

The iPhone 17 also comes coated in Ceramic Shield 2, which offers three times as much scratch protection as its predecessor. Another thing that the iPhone 17 has going for it over the iPhone 14 is support for faster wireless charging of up to 30W with selected chargers. The newer device also comes with a USB-C port rather than the Lightning port found on older iPhones.

The new iPhone 17 also features a revamped 18MP Center Stage selfie shooter. This time around, the front-facing camera offers up a wider field of view and the ability to take photos in either landscape or portrait irrespective of the orientation you're holding the device.

Flip either device over and you'll be able to spot the second big difference between this year's iPhone and its 2022 predecessor.

The back of the iPhone 14 features a dual-lens rear camera that consists of a 12MP wide angle lens and a 12MP ultrawide angle lens. By comparison, the new iPhone 17 features a primary wide lens of 48MP and a secondary ultrawide lens of 48MP.

Finally, on the inside, the iPhone 17 comes equipped with the new A19 processor. This silicon is newer and faster than the A15 Bionic found inside the iPhone 14. Although both devices are capable of running the latest version of iOS, the newer iPhone 17 is better built to offer the best version of that software experience.

For a full breakdown of how the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air compare to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, check out the table below.

For all the upgrades that either the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro offer over their more affordable counterparts, the story told by a comparison of the two isn't all the different to the one above.

Again, the iPhone 14 Pro has a smaller screen than the iPhone 17 Pro. Unlike its standard counterpart though, it does match this year's device when it comes to refresh rate.

Unfortunately, you're still missing out when it comes to USB-C charging, faster wireless charging and the action key and camera control buttons. These omissions aren't as big as a deal as the difference between the cameras on the two devices though.

Where the iPhone 14 Pro features a 48MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens and a 12MP telephoto lens, the iPhone 17 Pro features 48MP across the board. As with its standard counterpart, the new iPhone 17 Pro also features an 18MP Center Stage selfie shooter. This front-facing camera offers up a wider field of view and the ability to take photos in either landscape or portrait irrespective of the orientation you're holding the device.

Combine that with the improved image processing that the A19 Pro processor is capable of delivering and you'll probably be able to notice a big difference in the quality of the images that the newer device can produce.

For a full breakdown of how the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max compare to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, check out the table below.

The bar set by the iPhone 14 is still a pretty high one, but the upgrades that the newer iPhone 17 offers add up quickly. To start with, there are conveniences like USB C and faster wireless charging to additional inputs like the Action button. Then, there are features like the Dynamic Island and everyday improvements like Ceramic Shield 2, a 120Hz refresh rate and an anti-reflective coating.

Even if the difference in camera hardware and processor is the biggest thing that separates the two devices, you don't have to be too much of a power user to pick out a reason to choose the new iPhone 17 over its 2022 counterpart. 

If you're still on the fence, check out our full iPhone 17 review for a more detailed look at how Apple's latest basic model handles in the real world.

Telstra, Vodafone and Optus are all offering the iPhone 17 on a plan. The same goes for the iPhone 17 Pro. 

No matter which telco you go with, you'll get to choose between a 24-month plan or a 36-month plan. A 36-month plan will always be cheaper, but it means you're paying your phone off over a longer period of time. A 24-month plan is more expensive, but you'll own your iPhone quicker.

To compare for yourself, check out the widgets below for a snapshot of the cheapest 36-month and 24-month iPhone 17 plans. First up, here are the 36-month plans for the 256GB Apple iPhone 17.

Here's a look at 36-month plans for the 512GB Apple iPhone 17.

If you'd prefer a shorter repayment term, here are 24-month plans for the 256GB Apple iPhone 17.

Here's a look at 24-month plans for the 512GB Apple iPhone 17.

Alternatively, track down a refurbished iPhone 14 through a range of trusted retailers in Australia.