Now that Apple has debuted the iPhone 17, chances are you’ll be questioning whether or not to get that flashy new machine or purchase final yr’s iPhone 16 at a reduction. To assist with that call, this is a breakdown of how the 2 handsets examine.
The iPhone 17 begins at $829 (or $799 if you happen to activate with a service), the identical because the iPhone 16 when it got here out — with the caveat that the iPhone 17 begins with a better 256GB storage choice, versus 128GB.
The iPhone 16 is now out there at a $100 low cost. So, is it value saving some cash, or must you go all out with the most recent telephone?
This is what to learn about every telephone, from the cameras to the shows to the batteries.
Watch this: The iPhone Air Is Unbelievably Skinny
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Display screen variations
Among the largest modifications between the iPhone 16 and 17 should 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. 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. Meaning the iPhone 17 lastly helps an always-on display, so you’ll be able to look on the time, your notifications and Reside 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 ultrawide digicam from 12 megapixels on final yr’s telephone 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 routinely modify 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 facet anymore when there are extra folks to slot in the body.
Each the iPhone 16 and 17 have a Camera Control button on the facet to shortly 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 worth when it debuted.
Each telephones additionally assist 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, 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. Keep tuned to CNET’s evaluate of the iPhone 17 to see how that interprets in the true world and the way the telephone holds as much as our battery exams.
A brand new AI-powered Adaptive Power characteristic arriving with iOS 26 will help preserve the battery by making “small efficiency changes,” like “permitting some actions to take a bit of longer,” in accordance with Apple.
The iPhone 17 arrives with the upcoming working system onboard, however you may additionally be capable of obtain iOS 26 on the iPhone 16, as well as some older iPhones, as soon as it turns into out there publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both machine.
Shade choices and design
What’s on the within could also be most essential, however folks 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 and lavender.
For comparability, the iPhone 16 is offered in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine.
Each telephones have an aluminum body.
If you happen to’re leaning towards the iPhone 17, preorders begin Friday, and the telephone hits retailer cabinets on Friday, Sept. 19.
Apple iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16
| Apple iPhone 17 | Apple iPhone 16 | |
| Show dimension, 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.) |
| Cellular software program | iOS 26 | iOS 18 |
| Digital camera | 48-megapixel (extensive) 48-megapixel (ultrawide) | 48-megapixel (extensive), 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 larger through charging cable. Quick cost as much as 50% in half-hour utilizing 30W adapter or larger 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 larger; 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) |
