# iPhone 18 Pro: skip it if you have the 17

> Apple's new flagship looks and performs better, but the iPhone 17 Pro owner has little reason to upgrade.
- Title: iPhone 18 Pro: skip it if you have the 17 · Engadget
- Summary: Apple's new flagship looks and performs better, but the iPhone 17 Pro owner has little reason to upgrade. The iPhone 18 Pro offers only minor improvements…
- Keywords: apple, iphone 18 pro, iphone 17 pro, smartphone upgrade, a20 pro chip, camera, apple intelligence, technology, iPhone, Pro, skip, Engadget
- Source: Engadget — https://engadget.com/2262360/reasons-keep-iphone-17-pro-instead-of-upgrading-iphone-18-pro
- Author: Filipe Espósito
- Published: 2026-09-22T15:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apple, iphone 18 pro, iphone 17 pro, smartphone upgrade, a20 pro chip, camera, apple intelligence, technology
## New iPhone 18 Pro arrives
Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro in September twenty twenty-six. It's impressive but barely different from the iPhone 17 Pro.
## Design is nearly identical
The 18 Pro comes in new colors: deep Burgundy, Glacial, and black. Otherwise the design matches the 17 Pro exactly, just slightly heavier.
## Dynamic Island got smaller
The Dynamic Island shrunk thanks to a new infrared sensor under the screen. It's a nice feature but doesn't change how you use your phone.
## Performance leap won't matter
The A20 Pro chip is built on two-nanometer architecture with forty percent better graphics. But the A19 Pro in the 17 Pro still handles everyday tasks fine.
## Only main camera improved
The 18 Pro's wide-angle camera has a variable aperture lens for better low-light photos. The ultra-wide, telephoto, and front cameras are identical to the 17 Pro.
## AI features already on 17 Pro
Apple Intelligence and Siri AI are available on both phones. New photo editing tools are coming to older iPhones too via software update.
## Skip upgrade if you have 17
The 18 Pro is a minor upgrade for 17 Pro owners. It's better for those with older phones like the 15 Pro who want three years of improvements.

> For the vast majority of those who already own the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro is a minor upgrade.
## Key takeaway

The iPhone 18 Pro offers only minor improvements over the 17 Pro, making it a poor upgrade choice for current owners.