The iOS 17 public beta is now available, which means you can now test out the upcoming iPhone operating system on your iOS 16 iPhone. But even if you don’t take the plunge now, should you rush to install it once it officially releases in September? Here is a brief overview of how iOS 17 vs iOS 16 compares and what you can expect when upgrading.
iOS 16 vs iOS 17: Which iPhones can install iOS 17?
Before deciding if you should upgrade to iOS 17, you need to know if you can upgrade to iOS 17. The main flagship devices not making the cut this year are the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X. The following iPhones are supported for iOS 17, but some features are only for iOS 12 and later, including some FaceTime and AutoCorrect features:
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
iOS 16 vs iOS 17: What are the major new features?
At first glance, it might seem like there aren’t many major new features in iOS 17, but looks can be deceiving. There are lots of small changes throughout the new update that make iOS easier, faster, and more enjoyable. Here are the biggest changes coming to your iPhone:
Contact Posters
iOS 16 introduced the new lock screen layout, which users can customize to make iPh one more personal. Now, a similar approach is coming to Contacts in iOS 17. The new Contact Posters feature lets you create custom images that will appear on the iPhones of people you call. Just like the lock screen, you can add text, change the font and color, then place it in the foreground or background, making it blend seamlessly with the image. You can also change the background color, to personalize things further, and there’s support for memoji as well as photographs. To keep things consistent, contact posters will also act as main images in the Contacts app.
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Live Voicemail
A very interesting update in iOS 17 is the introduction of Live Voicemail. This clever feature displays a live text transcript of a message as it is left on your iPhone. So if you’re in a meeting or on the go or just want to know if the incoming call is important or not, wait and you can see what the caller has to say. Then, if you want, you can pick it up in the middle of the voicemail.
FaceTime
Another new addition to iOS 17 is the ability to leave voice or video messages for someone on FaceTime if they’re not free to take your call. Simply record your audio or video clip, and the recipient will be able to see and hear it when they have a moment.
Apple is also adding new reaction animations during calls that can be triggered via preset gestures. You’ll also be able to start or forward calls from your iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV (using the Continuity Camera) so you can enjoy calls on the biggest screen in the house.
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posts
iOS 16 added a variety of new features to Messages, including the ability to edit sent messages or delete them entirely before the recipient can read them. You can also mark a conversation thread as unread to remind you to come back to it later.
In iOS 17, Apple is bolstering the app even further with the addition of new search filters that let you enter multiple search terms so you can find that elusive message quickly and easily. Catch-up is ideal if you regularly find yourself rejoining group chats mid-stream, as it instantly takes you back to the first message you missed. If you want to reply directly inline to a message, dragging it now triggers the reply option. Taking inspiration from Live Voicemail, you’ll also have the option for the app to transcribe and display any voicemail messages you may have received.
Personal safety is another feature that’s been incorporated into the iOS 17 version of Messages, along with new ways to let people know where you are. Online Location will allow you to share your current location directly in a chat, rather than requiring you to leave and access the Maps app.
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There is also a brand new feature called Check In. This allows you to set up a tracker that notifies a family member or friend when you return home as it automatically detects the location and triggers the message. This is great if you come home alone at night and want people to know you’re safe. Check In estimates the duration of the return trip and monitors your progress to see if all is well. The route is shared with the other person, as is your iPhone’s battery level and cellular signal strength. All of this is encrypted, of course, to maintain your privacy.
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Finally, stickers have been upgraded in Messages, as a new drawer brings them all together in one place, including Memoji and Emoji. You can apply them inline to messages or drag and paste them anywhere in the conversation. You can also create animated stickers using elements from Live Photos as well as lifting parts of images to create still stickers as well. Looks like a lot of fun.
NameDrop
Making it easier to share information between devices has been a focus of recent iterations of iOS. For example, iOS 15 saw the introduction of SharePlay, which was later integrated into Messages with iOS 16. This time around, iOS 17 takes it a step further by making it a simple case of holding two iPhones (or an iPhone and Apple Watch) close together to share contacts, photos, and videos or sync music playback. The best part is the title given to the sharing contacts – NameDrop.
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Log
One iOS 17 exclusive we’re looking forward to is the new Journal app. This, as the name suggests, is a place where you can save your thoughts on the device you always have in your pocket. It’s not just a notebook, as the app uses machine learning to suggest potential writing prompts from your location, activities, or reading lists. For example, if you took a trip, Journal will pull together your route, what you listened to, and the photos you took, so you can include them all in one entry.
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Be ready
iOS 17 has a new feature that turns your iPhone into a smart screen while charging and switches to landscape mode. You’ll get a new full-screen experience that shows live activities, widgets, Siri results, and custom layouts. And if you have an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, you’ll be able to see it when your iPhone is locked using always-on display.
iOS 16 vs iOS 17: Will iOS 16 continue to receive security updates?
While iOS 17 might be the hottest thing in town when it comes to iPhones, that doesn’t mean iOS 16 will be left in the dust. Apple has an excellent record for keeping older versions of the operating system up to date with security patches. This means that even if your iPhone can’t upgrade to the new operating system or you just prefer to keep things as they are, iOS 16 will continue to be protected with security patches for the next 12 months and will receive important updates beyond that.
iOS 16 vs iOS 17: When will iOS 17 be available?
Apple has a long history of launching its latest version of iOS alongside the latest iPhones. With that in mind, we think you’ll be able to download it on Monday, September 11 or Monday, September 18, just under a week after the reveal of the new iPhone 15 lineup.
iOS 16 vs iOS 17: Should we update in the fall?
There are a lot of good things coming in iOS 17, which makes upgrading seem like such a good idea. Obviously it’s free, but with the addition of the new live voicemail, recording and easier sharing, not to mention the brand new Journal app, we’d say this should be a definite step up from iOS 16. Download and install button sooner than later.
For more information on iOS 17 as it nears release, check out our iOS 17 superguide.
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