iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Specs, Design, And More

Should you buy the latest iPhone 17 or skip it and get the last-gen iPhone 16 instead? Find out in this post.

Apple has launched the latest iPhone 17, and here is how it fares against the previous generation iPhone 16. We will dive into a full comparison here by comparing all the aspects of both models such as the display, design, processor, camera, and more.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Specifications Compared

Here is a full rundown of the specifications of both the Apple iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 models:

Model	Apple iPhone 17	Apple iPhone 16
Display	6.3-inch Super Retina XDR Display, 2622×1206 Resolution, 2000 nits Peak Brightness (outdoor), Supports ProMotion with Always-On Display Support, Ceramic Shield 2	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Display, 2566×1179 Resolution, 2000 nits peak brightness (outdoor), Ceramic Shield
Processor	A19 Chip, 6-Core CPU, 5-Core GPU, 16-Core Neural Engine	A18 Chip, 6-Core CPU, 5-Core GPU, 16-Core Neural Engine
Front Camera	18MP Center Stage Front Camera	TrueDepth Front Camera
Back Cameras	48 MP Fusion Main, 12 MP Ultra Wide	48 MP Fusion Main, 48 MP Fusion Ultra Wide
USB-C Support	Yes, USB 2	Yes, USB 2
Storage Options	256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Dimensions	5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches	5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches
Battery	Up to 30 hours (video playback)	Up to 22 hours (video playback)
Wi-Fi & Bluetooth	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v6	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.3
Colors	Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, Black	Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black
Weight	6.24 ounces (177g)	6.00 ounces (170g)
IP Resistance	Rated IP68 (6m max depth, up to 30 mins)	Rated IP68 (6m max depth, up to 30 mins)

This new iPhone from Apple has been released with brand-new specifications. It is quite a different phone compared to the previous, iPhone 16. There are some smaller but meaningful upgrades, such as better Bluetooth. Now, let’s uncover the Apple iPhone 17’s various new features and the upgrades it packs in detail! 

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Bigger Display with ProMotion

Apple iPhone 17 now has a bigger 6.3-inch display, also sporting a higher resolution to ensure the same clarity as before. The size of iPhone 16 was 6.1-inches, making the previous generation phone more portable than this latest one. The new model also supports Always On Display which makes it extra convenient to monitor your various notifications and updates.

There is another major upgrade to the iPhone 17’s display – it now supports ProMotion. Previously, it was exclusive to the Pro models. With ProMotion, iPhone 17 users will experience a 120Hz refresh rate that brings forth smoother animations and a robust UI experience compared to the iPhone 16.

If you were waiting for a new iPhone to come out with major feature upgrades before finally upgrading, the iPhone 17 becomes a worthy upgrade to consider, thanks to ProMotion alone. This display also sports Ceramic Shield 2, sporting 3x better scratch resistance. The iPhone 17’s peak brightness is also higher compared to the iPhone 16, now going up to 3000 nits. 

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Design & Build Changes

The new iPhone 17 model is heavier, at 6.24 ounces compared to the iPhone 16’s 6.00 ounces. Many will appreciate the new iPhone 17 having a larger 6.3-inch display, which now matches the Pro models. While the design looks very similar, the new iPhone 17 does have a different look to it. 

The Apple iPhone 17 comes in many new colorways. Even the same colors from last year, such as Black & White have a different look to them. Black, White, Mist Blue, Lavender, and Sage are the color options in which the new iPhone 17 is available. The IP resistance remains the same, at IP68.

Sadly, the iPhone 17 does not have the all-new design like the new Air and 17 Pro models feature. Still, the gap between the base and Pro models has become slimmer than ever, thanks to all the new features the new iPhone 17 brings.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: New Camera System

Apple iPhone 17 sports a new camera system with many upgraded capabilities. The front camera now has a feature called Center Stage, and this is also a higher resolution 18MP sensor compared to the 12MP on Apple’s iPhone 16. With Center Stage, the camera system on iPhone 17 allows you to zoom and rotate when taking a photo. The aspect ratio will dynamically adjust and AI will determine the best way to take your photo, depending on whether it’s a group shot or just you.

Another new feature of the iPhone 17’s camera is that it lets you take videos with the back and front cameras together, and this is called Dual Capture. This feature is unavailable on previous devices, so it must be facilitated by the faster A19 chip in the new iPhone. This new chip also brings a new ISP for better image quality. Speaking of the back cameras, there is an all-new Ultra Wide 48MP camera sensor, compared to the 12MP on iPhone 16. This allows for better detail, especially during macrophotography. 

According to Apple, the new ultrawide camera captures 4X higher resolution photos compared to the iPhone 16. The field of view is also higher, making the ultrawide camera a lot more effective.

Apple iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Faster A19 Processor

Apple has introduced the A19 chip with iPhone 17, sporting a 5-Core GPU and a brand-new architecture. It supports ray-tracing as well. This new chip also has neural accelerators, which are utilized in various photographic styles as well as when the user interacts with Apple Intelligence. AI models can run better on the iPhone 17, thanks to these neural accelerators. iPhone 17 has much better battery life thanks to this new chip, with up to 30 hours of video playback total compared to 24 hours on the iPhone 16. 

Compared to the iPhone 16, the previous A18 chip does not employ any neural accelerators as a part of its architecture. It also sports a less capable GPU and is less efficient. Apple has also introduced a new wireless networking chip with the iPhone 17, known as the Apple N1. Apple says this networking chip also enhances the experience when using AirDrop and Personal Hotspot.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Price Comparison

Apple iPhone 17 has been launched at a starting price of $799. You can also trade in an older Apple device, with select carriers reportedly offering great deals. $799 emerges as the price you will have to pay for the 256GB variant. The 128GB option does not exist anymore. Higher storage options such as 1TB and 2TB, are reserved for the Pro models.

For users seeking the 512GB storage variant, the price is $999. With the launch of the new iPhone, the previous generation gets more affordable than ever. iPhone 16 now costs $699 for the 128GB. Users who don’t necessarily need the latest and greatest can definitely opt for the iPhone 16. 

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Which Phone Is Better?

While there is no ProMotion, higher quality Ultrawide, and less battery life on the iPhone 16, it is still a great option with an excellent balance of features. On the other hand, if you are coming from an older iPhone model (such as iPhone 14 or below), getting the iPhone 17 is quite appealing since it is now pretty close to the feature set offered on the Pro models. 

By the way, Apple has also removed the iPhone ‘Plus’ variant from the lineup. Hence, there is no successor to the iPhone 16 Plus. With a massive 6.7-inch display, iPhone 16 Plus is great for watching movies, gaming, and more. Apple’s iPhone 16 Plus is also available with 256GB storage. If you are looking for a reliable phone option with a big display, the iPhone 16 Plus is also worth considering. 

Another option you can consider is the iPhone Air if you want a larger 6.5-inch display.  There is another reason why you may want to consider the older models – the color options. The last iPhone 16 Series does have more vibrant colorways, especially the Ultramarine variant. 

In conclusion, the iPhone 16 still stands to be an excellent option today. But if you prefer having a latest generation iPhone with the most advanced features, iPhone 17 is more preferable. Whether you pick the new or old iPhone, you’ll definitely have a great device to rely on for years to come.

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