Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 17
Verdict
The Apple iPhone 16 is not clearly ahead in any section, while the Apple iPhone 17 leads in display, battery and performance; they are even on camera, design & durability and connectivity & features.
The biggest difference is display: 85 vs 96 points.
The Apple iPhone 17 is the newer model, announced 12 months after the Apple iPhone 16.
- iPhone 16 leads in 2 fields
- iPhone 17 leads in 8 fields
- 30 ties
40 scored fields compared
Score by section
| Section scores | iPhone 16 | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ||
| Performance | 85 | 89 |
| Camera | 60 | 61 |
| Battery | 46 | 54 |
| Display | 85 | 96 |
| Design & durability | 83 | 84 |
| Connectivity & features | 79 | 79 |
Full specifications
Performance
- Chipset performance index
- iPhone 16: 86/100
- iPhone 17: 92/100(Better)
- Chipset
- iPhone 16: Apple A18
- iPhone 17: Apple A19
- RAM (max)
- iPhone 16: 8 GB
- iPhone 17: 8 GB
- Storage (max)
- iPhone 16: 512 GB
- iPhone 17: 512 GB
- Process node
- iPhone 16: 3 nm
- iPhone 17: 3 nm
Camera
- Main camera resolution
- iPhone 16: 48 MP
- iPhone 17: 48 MP
- Main sensor size
- iPhone 16: 1/1.56″
- iPhone 17: 1/1.56″
- Optical stabilization (OIS)
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- Ultra-wide camera
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- Telephoto camera
- iPhone 16: No
- iPhone 17: No
- Periscope lens
- iPhone 16: No
- iPhone 17: No
- Optical zoom
- iPhone 16: No
- iPhone 17: No
- Video recording
- iPhone 16: 4K 60 fps
- iPhone 17: 4K 60 fps
- Front camera
- iPhone 16: 12 MP
- iPhone 17: 18 MP(Better)
- Front camera 4K video
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
Battery
- Battery capacity
- iPhone 16: 3561 mAh
- iPhone 17: 3692 mAh(Better)
- Battery endurance (EU label)
- iPhone 16: 37:00 h
- iPhone 17: 41:00 h(Better)
- EU label cycles
- iPhone 16: 1000
- iPhone 17: 1000
- Wireless charging
- iPhone 16: 25 W
- iPhone 17: 25 W
- Reverse charging
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- Reverse charging type
- iPhone 16: Wired
- iPhone 17: Wired
Display
- Screen size
- iPhone 16: 6.1″
- iPhone 17: 6.3″
- Panel type
- iPhone 16: OLED
- iPhone 17: LTPO OLED(Better)
- Refresh rate
- iPhone 16: Unknown
- iPhone 17: 120 Hz
- Pixel density
- iPhone 16: 460 ppi
- iPhone 17: 460 ppi
- Peak brightness
- iPhone 16: 2000 nits
- iPhone 17: 3000 nits(Better)
- Resolution
- iPhone 16: 1179x2556
- iPhone 17: 1206x2622
- Screen protection
- iPhone 16: Ceramic Shield glass
- iPhone 17: Ceramic Shield 2
Design & durability
- Weight
- iPhone 16: 170 g(Better)
- iPhone 17: 177 g
- Thickness
- iPhone 16: 7.8 mm(Better)
- iPhone 17: 8 mm
- Dust & water resistance
- iPhone 16: IP68
- iPhone 17: IP68
- Back material
- iPhone 16: Glass
- iPhone 17: Glass
- Frame material
- iPhone 16: Aluminum
- iPhone 17: Aluminum
- EU repairability class
- iPhone 16: C
- iPhone 17: C
- EU drop resistance class
- iPhone 16: C
- iPhone 17: B(Better)
- EU energy class
- iPhone 16: B
- iPhone 17: A
Connectivity & features
- 5G
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- Wi-Fi
- iPhone 16: Wi-Fi 7
- iPhone 17: Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth
- iPhone 16: 5.3
- iPhone 17: 6.0(Better)
- USB speed
- iPhone 16: USB 2.0
- iPhone 17: USB 2.0
- USB port
- iPhone 16: USB-C 2.0
- iPhone 17: USB-C 2.0
- DisplayPort output
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- NFC
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- eSIM
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- Ultra-wideband (UWB)
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- Satellite connectivity
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- Stereo speakers
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- iPhone 16: No
- iPhone 17: No
- Fingerprint reader
- iPhone 16: None
- iPhone 17: None
- 3D face unlock
- iPhone 16: Yes
- iPhone 17: Yes
- Infrared blaster
- iPhone 16: No
- iPhone 17: No
- FM radio
- iPhone 16: No
- iPhone 17: No
- microSD slot
- iPhone 16: No
- iPhone 17: No
- Card slot
- iPhone 16: No
- iPhone 17: No
General
- Operating system
- iPhone 16: iOS 18
- iPhone 17: iOS 26
- Launch price
- iPhone 16: $ 486.94
- iPhone 17: $ 712.99
- Year
- iPhone 16: 2024
- iPhone 17: 2025
Show raw spec textHide raw spec text
Original text from the source spec sheet, for reference.
| — | iPhone 16 | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Network | ||
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3287 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3081 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3286 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - A3288 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3520 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3258 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3519 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - A3521 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3287 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3081 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3286 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3288 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3520 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3258 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3519 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3521 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Launch | ||
| Announced | 2024, September 09 | 2025, September 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September 20 | Available. Released 2025, September 19 |
| Body | ||
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in) | 149.6 x 71.5 x 8 mm (5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Ceramic Shield), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, glass back |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) |
| Display | ||
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM) | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.7 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 96.4 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1206 x 2622 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield glass (2024 gen) | Ceramic Shield 2 Anti-reflective coating |
| Platform | ||
| OS | iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 27.2 | iOS 26, upgradable to iOS 27.2 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 (3 nm) | Apple A19 (3 nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz) | Hexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4x2.60 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
| Memory | ||
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM NVMe | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM NVMe |
| Main Camera | ||
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec. | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera | ||
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec. | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec. |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Comms | ||
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort |
| Features | ||
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite |
| Battery | ||
| Type | Li-Ion 3561 mAh | Li-Ion 3692 mAh |
| Charging | Wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired | Wired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 20 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired |
| Misc | ||
| Colors | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine | Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender |
| Models | A3287, A3081, A3286, A3288, iPhone17,3 | iPhone18,3, A3520, A3258, A3519, A3521 |
| SAR | 1.08 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.24 W/kg (head) 1.41 W/kg (body) | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| Price | $ 486.94 / € 575.00 / £ 449.00 / ₹ 79,990 | $ 712.99 / € 777.01 / £ 682.65 / ₹ 92,900 |
| EU LABEL | ||
| Energy | Class B | Class A |
| Battery | 37:00h endurance, 1000 cycles | 41:00h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Free fall | Class C (90 falls) | Class B (180 falls) |
| Repairability | Class C | Class C |