You could be questioning whether or not to purchase Apple’s newest machine, the iPhone 17, or rating final 12 months’s iPhone 16 at a reduction. To assist with that call, here is a breakdown of how the 2 telephones examine.
The iPhone 17 begins at $829 — or $799 with provider activation — the identical launch worth because the iPhone 16. 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 accessible at a $100 low cost. So, is it price saving some cash, or do you have to splurge on the most recent telephone?
Here is what to learn about every telephone — from the cameras to the shows to the batteries.
Watch this: iPhone Air Assessment: A Pleasure to Maintain, at a Value
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Display variations
A number of the greatest modifications between the iPhone 16 and 17 must do with the show.
Apple says it shrunk the borders across the display 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 Defend 2 cowl on the iPhone 17 provides 3x higher scratch resistance, in accordance with the corporate.
The baseline iPhone 17 will get a show with a 120Hz refresh charge, versus the 60Hz display on the iPhone 16. Which means the iPhone 17 lastly helps an always-on display, so you possibly can look on the time, your notifications and Reside Actions with out waking the display.
The iPhone 17 additionally beneficial properties 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 brilliant daylight.
Digital camera variations
Each the iPhone 16 and 17 have a 48-megapixel wide-angle digital camera. However the iPhone 17 upgrades the ultrawide digital camera from 12 megapixels on final 12 months’s telephone to 48 megapixels.
The front-facing digital camera 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 function for the selfie digital camera that may robotically modify from a portrait orientation to panorama to ensure everyone seems to be within the shot. Which means you do not have to manually rotate your telephone to its facet anymore when there are extra individuals to slot in the body.
Each the iPhone 16 and 17 have a Camera Control button on the facet to rapidly launch the digital camera, snap some photographs and use Apple’s Visual Intelligence software to study 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 worth 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 does not share particular battery specs, however it does measure longevity through video playback hours. The iPhone 16 helps as much as 22 hours of video playback, in accordance with Apple, whereas the iPhone 17 bumps that as much as 30 hours.
In CNET’s 45-minute endurance take a look at, which incorporates streaming, scrolling by social media, becoming a member of a video name and taking part in 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 take a look at 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%. As compared, the iPhone 16 dropped to 86%.
Anecdotally, the iPhone 17’s battery lasts over a day, even after taking photographs, scrolling by social media, watching movies, texting, sending emails and extra. The same can be said about the iPhone 16, so that you probably 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 function arriving with iOS 26 may help preserve the battery by making “small efficiency changes,” like “permitting some actions to take a bit longer,” in accordance with Apple.
The iPhone 17 arrives with the upcoming working system onboard, however you may additionally have the ability to obtain iOS 26 on the iPhone 16, as well as some older iPhones, as soon as it turns into accessible publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both machine.
Colour choices and design
What’s on the within could also be most essential, however individuals additionally care what their telephone appears to be like like. Just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 is available in a spread 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.
Take a look at 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 (broad) 48-megapixel (ultrawide) | 48-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Entrance-facing digital camera | 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 through charging cable. Quick cost as much as 50% in half-hour utilizing 30W adapter or increased through 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 worth begins at | $829 (256GB) | $829 (128GB) |
