iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: Key Differences

Apple released the iPhone 17 on September 19, 2025, alongside the ultra-thin iPhone Air and the high-end 17 Pro and Pro Max. But with the iPhone 16 still around – and now $100 cheaper – many buyers are asking the same question: should you upgrade to the new iPhone 17 or save some money and pick up last year’s model? To make the decision easier, we’ve compared the two devices across design, performance, cameras, and more.

iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: Key Specifications

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Design and display

The iPhone 17 doesn’t look all that different from the iPhone 16. Both have an aluminum frame, flat sides and back, a vertical rear camera setup, and the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen. The Camera Control button and the Action button are in the same places, so the overall design feels very familiar.

But when it comes to the display, the iPhone 17 takes a clear step forward. It’s slightly larger at 6.3 inches compared to the iPhone 16’s 6.1 inches, and it finally brings ProMotion with a 120Hz refresh rate and an Always-On display. That makes it the first standard iPhone to get features that used to be exclusive to the Pro and Pro Max models.

All this means smoother scrolling, sharper animations, and an overall snappier feel. The screen is also brighter, reaching up to 3000 nits outdoors compared to the iPhone 16’s 2000 nits, which makes a big difference when you’re using your phone in direct sunlight.

On top of that, Apple refreshed the color options. Besides black and white, the iPhone 17 comes in lavender, sage, and mist blue. The iPhone 16, on the other hand, is available in ultramarine, teal, and pink.

Performance

The iPhone 17 runs on Apple’s new A19 chip, while the iPhone 16 uses last year’s A18. Both are fast and efficient, but the A19 pushes things further with better handling of demanding apps, gaming, and AI-driven features.

While both models have 8GB of RAM, the iPhone 17 starts with 256GB of storage, compared to the iPhone 16’s 128GB base option, which Apple quietly removed with the new model. This gives users more room for apps, photos, and videos right out of the box.

The iPhone 17 launches with iOS 26, which brings many new exciting features, such as “Liquid Glass” design language, Live Translation, and Call Screening. The good news is that the iPhone 16 will also receive this update, so users of last year’s model won’t miss out on these improvements. Both phones also support Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI-powered suite of features.

Camera

Apple has kept the 48MP main camera, but the iPhone 17 makes a big jump on the ultra-wide lens, upgrading it from 12MP on the iPhone 16 to 48MP. This change should bring sharper detail, better low-light performance, and improved macro shots, similar to what you’d find in the Pro models.

The selfie camera also sees a major upgrade. It goes up from 12MP on the iPhone 16 to 18MP on the iPhone 17, and now includes Center Stage, which automatically adjusts from portrait to landscape so everyone fits in the shot — no need to rotate your phone manually anymore. It also supports Dual Capture, allowing you to record videos using both the front and rear cameras at the same time.

Battery life and charging

The iPhone 17 offers longer battery life, with Apple estimating up to 30 hours of video playback — eight more hours than the iPhone 16. This is thanks to the more efficient A19 chip and the new Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26.

The iPhone 17 can reach 50% charge in about 20 minutes with a 40W adapter, while the iPhone 16 takes around 30 minutes to hit the same level using a 20W adapter. Both models also support MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging for quick and convenient top-ups without cables.

Price

The iPhone 17 starts at $799 with 256GB of storage, holding the same launch price as the iPhone 16 but doubling the base storage. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 has seen a price drop of $100, now starting at $699 for the 128GB model.

Should you upgrade to the iPhone 17?

The iPhone 17 brings some meaningful upgrades over the iPhone 16 that might make a difference, particularly if you want a smoother 120Hz display for streaming and gaming, sharper photos from the upgraded ultra-wide and selfie cameras, more storage, or a little extra battery life to get you through long days without worrying about charging.

If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 11, 12, or even a 13, the jump will feel big and well worth it. But if you already own an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16, the improvements are nice but not essential — meaning you can comfortably hold onto your current phone for another year.

What does the iPhone 17 lineup bring?

The iPhone 17 base model upgrades the display, front and ultra-wide cameras, storage, battery life, charging speed, and chipset — especially for AI and display work — while retaining many of the core features from the iPhone 16.

The 17 Air is designed for portability and style with a premium thin build and solid display/camera improvements. The 17 Pro is more of a power-user upgrade – better chip, more memory, a more flexible camera system, tougher build, and cooler performance under heavy workloads.

An iPhone isn’t just a phone – it’s your camera, wallet, GPS, and lifeline all in one. Whether you’re upgrading to the iPhone 17 or are holding onto your iPhone 16 or some other model, losing it to theft or accidental damage can be both stressful and costly. iPhone insurance covers you against cracked screens, spills, drops, and even theft, giving you peace of mind that your device is protected.

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