iPhone 17 Thinking of Upgrading from iPhone 12 – Should I Go for iPhone 17 or Even Consider the 16?

[SiriousCritic]

Hey folks 👋

I’m currently using an iPhone 12 and thinking about upgrading, but I’m not 100% sure if I should jump straight to the iPhone 17 lineup—or if the iPhone 16 might still be a solid choice for my needs.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

• Better display outdoors: I often use my phone in bright sunlight, so a brighter screen would be a big win.
• 120Hz refresh rate: I’ve never had it, but I know I’d love the smoother experience.
• Battery life: I’d really appreciate a noticeable upgrade here.
• AI capabilities: I’m very interested in artificial intelligence and future tech. I’d like a phone that’s well-positioned to benefit from Apple’s upcoming AI features (even though they’ve been lagging behind lately).
• Photography: I enjoy taking photos and own a dedicated camera, so while I appreciate good phone cameras, it’s not my top priority.
• Tech enthusiast: I love exploring new technologies and their potential.

I’d prefer not to spend a fortune—but if the Pro Max is the only way to get what I want, I’ll consider it (even if it hurts a little 😅).

Would love to hear your thoughts: is the upgrade worth it from the 12, and which model would you recommend—iPhone 17, 17 Pro, Pro Max, or even the 16 series?

Thanks in advance!

 

[rui no onna]

The iPhone 17 series gets 120Hz across the board. With the 16, ProMotion is limited to the Pro models.

Battery life will be better on any of the newer models.

The regular iPhone 17 (and even Air) sounds like it ticks all your boxes. If you want the top of the line though, then there are the Pros.

 

[MrAperture]

Go with the iPhone 17.

 

[mzd]

Both my wife and I are coming from 12s (hers is a mini). The 17 is a solid upgrade and with the increase in storage it is a better deal over the 16, imo. We both would have needed 256 anyway since we are full with 128.

 

[svish]

Go for the iPhone 17. The base model when compared to the base 16 has much better screen with 120Hz, better camera, double the storage, slightly bigger screen, better battery life. I would definitely recommend the base 17 over the 16.

 

[Yuuuki]

17 because its by far the best base model in a long time from Apple

 

[SiriousCritic]

The iPhone 17 series gets 120Hz across the board. With the 16, ProMotion is limited to the Pro models.

Battery life will be better on any of the newer models.

The regular iPhone 17 (and even Air) sounds like it ticks all your boxes. If you want the top of the line though, then there are the Pros.

​

I don’t take photos all the time, but let’s be honest—one day I’ll want that 8x telephoto lens. And with AI evolving so fast, having 12GB of RAM and solid neural processing isn’t just nice to have, it’s going to be essential. I get the appeal of going all-in on the high-end model... but dropping €1,500 on a phone in Portugal? That hits hard. Still, if I’m going to invest, it should be something future-proof and genuinely exciting to use.
The real question is: will it be a solid investment that’s worth it, or just money down the drain? That’s what keeps running through my mind—especially since I don’t even use my phone for anything extraordinary.
I know these are personal doubts and everyone sees it differently, but any opinions are welcome. When it comes to resale value, is the Pro Max really the most consistent option? Like, in three years, will it be easy to sell? Will it hold its value better—or not really?