For those who’re trying to purchase a brand new iPhone, it’s possible you’ll be questioning whether or not to get the iPhone 17 or rating a reduction on final 12 months’s iPhone 16. To assist with that call, this is a breakdown of how the 2 telephones examine.
The iPhone 17 begins at $829 — or $799 with service activation — the identical value because the iPhone 16 when it debuted. However there is a key distinction: The iPhone 17 begins with 256GB of storage, double the 128GB base on the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16 is now out there at a $100 low cost. So, is it price saving some cash or must you splurge on the newer telephone?
Here is what to find out about every gadget, from the cameras to the shows to the batteries. (For those who’re in search of a barely extra inexpensive choice, try the iPhone 17E.)
Watch this: iPhone Air Evaluation: A Pleasure to Maintain, at a Price
Display variations
Among the largest adjustments between the iPhone 16 and 17 need to do with the show.
Apple says it shrunk the borders across the display screen on the iPhone 17, increasing the show from 6.1 inches on the iPhone 16 to six.3 inches on the iPhone 17 with out increasing its dimensions. The brand new Ceramic Protect 2 cowl on the iPhone 17 affords three-times higher scratch resistance, in keeping with the corporate.
The baseline iPhone 17 will get a show with a 120Hz refresh charge, versus the 60Hz display on the iPhone 16. Meaning the iPhone 17 lastly helps an always-on display, so you’ll be able to look on the time, your notifications and Dwell Actions with out waking the display screen.
The iPhone 17 additionally features an anti-reflective coating and a 3,000-nit peak brightness, in comparison with 2,000 nits on the iPhone 16. That ought to make it simpler to see your telephone in vivid daylight.
Digital camera variations
Each the iPhone 16 and 17 have a 48-megapixel wide-angle digicam. However the iPhone 17 upgrades the ultra-wide digicam from 12 megapixels to 48 megapixels.
The front-facing digicam additionally will get an improve, going from 12 megapixels on the iPhone 16 to 18 megapixels on the iPhone 17. There is a new Center Stage characteristic for the selfie digicam that may robotically alter from a portrait orientation to panorama to verify everyone seems to be within the shot. Meaning you do not have to manually rotate your telephone to its aspect anymore when there are extra individuals to slot in the body.
Each the iPhone 16 and 17 have a Camera Control button on the aspect to rapidly launch the digicam, snap some pictures and use Apple’s Visual Intelligence instrument to be taught extra about what’s round you.
Processor and RAM
The iPhone 17 packs an A19 chip, an improve from the A18 chip within the iPhone 16. One key distinction is that the iPhone 17 begins at 256GB, whereas the iPhone 16 began at 128GB for a similar $829 value when it debuted.
Each telephones additionally help the Apple Intelligence suite of AI capabilities, which incorporates writing instruments, picture mills and notification summaries.
Battery life
Apple would not share particular battery specs, nevertheless it does measure longevity by way of video playback hours. The iPhone 16 helps as much as 22 hours of video playback, in keeping with Apple, whereas the iPhone 17 bumps that as much as 30 hours.
In CNET’s 45-minute endurance check, which incorporates streaming, scrolling by social media, becoming a member of a video name and enjoying video games, the iPhone 17’s battery went from full to 98%. That is simply over the 97% the iPhone 16 scored final 12 months.
And in a three-hour streaming check over Wi-Fi, which entails watching a YouTube video in full-screen mode at full brightness, the iPhone 17’s battery went from full to 89%. Compared, the iPhone 16 dropped to 86%.
Anecdotally, the iPhone 17’s battery lasts over a day, even after taking pictures, scrolling by social media, watching movies, texting, sending emails and extra. The same can be said about the iPhone 16, so that you seemingly will not really feel an enormous distinction between the 2 in the case of day-to-day actions.
A brand new AI-powered Adaptive Power characteristic arriving with iOS 26 may also help preserve the battery by making “small efficiency changes,” like “permitting some actions to take somewhat longer,” in keeping with Apple.
The iPhone 17 arrives with the upcoming working system onboard, however you will additionally be capable of obtain iOS 26 on the iPhone 16, in addition to some older iPhones, as soon as it turns into out there publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both gadget.
Colour choices and design
What’s on the within could also be most vital, however individuals additionally care what their telephone appears like. Just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 is available in a variety of enjoyable colours: black, white, mist blue, sage (a lightweight inexperienced) and lavender.
For comparability, the iPhone 16 is obtainable in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine. Each telephones have an aluminum body. Try the spec chart beneath for a breakdown of every telephone.
Apple iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16
| Apple iPhone 17 | Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Show measurement, tech, decision, refresh charge | 6.3-inch OLED; 2,622 x 1,206 pixel decision; 1-120Hz variable refresh charge | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556 x 1,179 pixel decision; 60Hz refresh charge |
| Pixel density | 460ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 177 g (6.24 oz) | 170 g (6 oz.) |
| Cell software program | iOS 26 | iOS 18 |
| Digital camera | 48-megapixel (large) 48-megapixel (ultrawide) | 48-megapixel (large), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Entrance-facing digicam | 18-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video seize | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Apple A19 | Apple A18 |
| RAM + storage | RAM N/A + 256GB, 512GB | RAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None (Face ID) |
| Battery | As much as 30 hours video playback; as much as 27 hours video playback (streamed). Quick cost as much as 50% in 20 minutes utilizing 40W adapter or increased by way of charging cable. Quick cost as much as 50% in half-hour utilizing 30W adapter or increased by way of MagSafe Charger. | As much as 22 hours video playback; as much as 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wi-fi charging as much as 25W with 30W adapter or increased; Qi2 as much as 15W |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None |
| Particular options | Apple N1 wi-fi networking chip (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2×2 MIMO), Bluetooth 6, Thread. Motion button. Digital camera Management button. Dynamic Island. Apple Intelligence. Visible Intelligence. Twin eSIM. 1 to 3000 nits brightness show vary. IP68 resistance. Colours: black, white, mist blue, sage, lavender. | Apple Intelligence, Motion button, Digital camera Management button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits show brightness vary, IP68 resistance. Colours: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine. |
| US value begins at | $829 (256GB) | $829 (128GB) |
