3 reasons why I won't be upgrading to the iPhone 17 just yet

I'm tempted by the iPhone 17, but there are 3 reasons why I won't be upgrading just yet Features (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) Paul Hatton published And it's got nothing to do with the cost If you have a browse of our guide to the best phones , then right at the top, in pride of place, is the iPhone 17. It was released in September 2025 and is the best phone for most people on account of its A19 chip, superfast 120Hz ProMotion display, scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2 display cover, 256GB starting storage capacity, and outstanding feature set. That's before we even get to the iPhone 17's camera hardware, which includes a 48MP main lens with 2x telephoto capabilities, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and an 18MP selfie lens that matches the front camera upgrade on the Pro models. In all, it's a fantastic camera system that delivers excellent results. As impressive as the iPhone 17 is, though, there are three reasons why I won't be upgrading from my iPhone 12 just yet. Sure, it's now five years old - you can pick up a refurbished model for just a few hundred of your local currency - but for me, I'm happy holding onto my trusty iPhone 12 for three different reasons. Apple Intelligence I'm not the first person to write about the disappointment with Apple Intelligence and Apple's failure to deliver on its AI and Siri promises . Our own John-Anthony Disotto has described Apple Intelligence as " a fever dream " that perhaps Apple might like to forget. We are nowhere near close to seeing the full suite of transformative AI features Apple has promised, with some key functionalities being delayed or quietly dropped since their initial reveal. The Apple faithful continue to upgrade their hardware in hopes of a "smarter Siri," for example, but have so far been left underwhelmed. Apple Intelligence is also built on the philosophy of superior on-device processing for privacy, but this choice often results in less impressive and less versatile features compared to cloud-based rivals like Google Gemini and OpenAI’s models. The on-device approach is great for local tasks like summarization and simple photo edits, but it's inferior to the cloud for complex image generation and sophisticated reasoning. With continued false starts, there's no way I'm upgrading my iPhone on the "promise" that Apple Intelligence is coming (and yes, I know it's technically here already, but is it really?). Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Software compatibility The iPhone 12 supports iOS 26, which means I still have access to the latest, non-AI-based software developments coming from Apple. I'm enjoying the new Liquid Glass aesthetic, for instance, and while my scrolling experience might be slightly slicker with a newer iPhone, from a day-to-day functionality perspective, my iPhone 12 is completely up-to-date and consistent with what owners of the iPhone 17 are enjoying....

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