iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: Which One Ought to You Purchase? Here is How They Evaluate

Now that the iPhone 17 is right here, you might be questioning whether or not to purchase Apple’s newest system or rating final 12 months’s iPhone 16 at a $100 low cost. To assist with that call, this is a breakdown of how the 2 telephones evaluate.

The iPhone 17 begins at $829 (or $799 in case you activate with a service), the identical because the iPhone 16 when it got here out — with the important thing distinction being that the iPhone 17 begins with a better 256GB storage possibility, versus 128GB 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 newest telephone?

Here is what to find out about every telephone, from the cameras to the shows to the batteries.

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Display variations

A number of the largest adjustments between the iPhone 16 and 17 should 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 Protect 2 cowl on the iPhone 17 provides 3x higher scratch resistance, in line with the corporate. 

The baseline iPhone 17 will get a show with a 120Hz refresh fee, versus the 60Hz show on the iPhone 16. Which means the iPhone 17 lastly helps an always-on show, so you may look on the time, your notifications and Dwell Actions with out waking the display.  

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 vibrant 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 Middle Stage characteristic for the selfie digital camera that may mechanically modify from a portrait orientation to panorama to verify 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 Digital camera Management button on the facet to rapidly launch the digital camera, snap some photographs and use Apple’s Visible Intelligence device 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 value 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 does 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 line 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%. As 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 identical could be stated in regards to the iPhone 16, so that you seemingly will not really feel an enormous distinction between the 2 relating to day-to-day actions. 

A brand new AI-powered Adaptive Energy characteristic arriving with iOS 26 will help preserve the battery by making “small efficiency changes,” like “permitting some actions to take just a little longer,” in line 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, in addition to some older iPhones, as soon as it turns into accessible publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both system.

Coloration choices and design

What’s on the within could also be most essential, however individuals additionally care what their telephone seems to be like. Just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 is available in a spread of enjoyable colours: black, white, mist blue, sage (a light-weight 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 under for a breakdown of every telephone.