iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17
Last updated
Specs from Apple.com
Category Scorecard
Size Comparison
Scaled at 1.2px per mm. iPhone 17 is 2.0mm taller and 0.15mm thicker. iPhone 16 cases will not fit.
Full Specifications
| Specification | iPhone 16 | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch year | 2024 | 2025 |
| Display | 6.1-inch · OLED · 60Hz | 6.3-inch · OLED · 120Hz |
| Display type | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2556x1179 | 2622x1206 |
| PPI | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz ProMotion |
| Brightness | 1,000 nits typical; 1,600 nits peak HDR; 2,000 nits peak outdoors | 1,000 nits typical; 1,600 nits peak HDR; 3,000 nits peak outdoors |
| HDR display | Yes | Yes |
| True Tone | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | No | Yes |
| Notch style | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Chip | A18; 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine | A19; 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Main camera | 48MP, f/1.6, OIS | 48MP, f/1.6, OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 12MP | 48MP, f/2.2, 120° field of view |
| Telephoto camera | No dedicated telephoto; 2x optical-quality Telephoto option is enabled by the 48MP Fusion Main sensor | No dedicated telephoto; 12MP optical-quality 2x Telephoto is enabled by the 48MP Fusion Main sensor |
| Front camera | 12MP | 18MP 18MP Center Stage, f/1.9 |
| Video max | 4K/60fps | 4K/60fps |
| Battery (video) | Up to 22 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Apple fast-charge adapter requirement | 20W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim; maximum device draw not published | 40W-or-higher adapter for Apple's fast-charge claim; maximum device draw not published |
| MagSafe charging | Yes, 25W | Yes, 25W |
| Connector | USB-C (USB 2, up to 480Mb/s) | USB-C (USB 2, up to 480Mb/s) |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 7 | WiFi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Crash Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic Island | Yes | Yes |
| Camera Control | Yes | Yes |
| Action Button | Yes | Yes |
| Night Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | Yes |
| Apple lineup status | In Apple's current lineup, checked 2026-09-14 | In Apple's current lineup, checked 2026-09-14 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Frame / back | aluminum / glass | aluminum / color-infused glass |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm | 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm |
| Weight | 170 g | 177 g |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
The 120Hz display, battery, and camera step from iPhone 16 to iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 brings 120Hz ProMotion and an Always-On Display to the standard line, raises the ultrawide camera from 12 MP to 48 MP, improves rated video playback from 22 to 30 hours, and uses the A19 chip with Bluetooth 6.0. Apple lists a 40W-or-higher adapter for the iPhone 17 fast-charge claim versus 20W-or-higher on the iPhone 16; maximum device draw is not published. At the same $799 launch price, choose the iPhone 17 when its display and battery gains matter.
Display
The display is the main upgrade. The iPhone 17 gets a 6.3-inch ProMotion 120Hz OLED with Always-On Display — the first time these features have appeared on the standard (non-Pro) iPhone. The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch 60Hz panel with no Always-On. The screen also grows from 6.1 to 6.3 inches, matching the Pro's size.
Performance
The A19 in the iPhone 17 succeeds the A18, with 6 CPU cores and 5 GPU cores. Both chips fully support Apple Intelligence, so the AI feature set is comparable. The A19's improvements are most visible in sustained GPU performance for gaming, faster machine learning inference for on-device AI features, and better efficiency for the Always-On display without hammering battery life. The A19 also enables Bluetooth 6.0, a first for iPhone.
Camera
Both phones have a 48MP f/1.6 main camera, but the iPhone 17 raises the ultrawide from 12MP to 48MP — matching the main lens in resolution and enabling sharper wide-angle shots and lossless crops from the ultrawide. The front camera also jumps from 12MP to 18MP, an improvement for selfies and FaceTime. Both retain the 2x optical-quality zoom via in-sensor crop, and both support Camera Control.
Battery
iPhone 17 rates at 30 hours of video playback versus 22 hours on the 16 — a 36% increase. Apple lists a 40W-or-higher adapter for the 17 fast-charge claim versus 20W-or-higher for the 16; maximum device draw is not published. MagSafe remains at 25W on both.
Design & Build
The iPhone 17 is 2mm taller (149.6mm vs 147.6mm), 0.15mm thicker (7.95mm vs 7.8mm), and 7g heavier (177g vs 170g) than the 16. Both use aluminum frames with glass backs and carry IP68. The 17 adds the Action Button that was previously exclusive to the Pro lineup, giving you a hardware shortcut button in addition to Camera Control. The 16's slightly more compact footprint may appeal to those who prefer the smaller form, but the 17's extra screen real estate justifies the size increase.
Value
Both launched at $799. The 17 drops the 128GB base option; minimum storage is 256GB. Compare live listings with matching storage, condition, and battery health. The 17 offers a higher storage floor and newer hardware; the 16 remains a capable option for used buyers who prioritize a lower live price.
Who Should Buy Which: iPhone 17's display versus iPhone 16's value
Buy the iPhone 16 if…
- You find it much cheaper used than the 17
- You prefer the smaller 6.1" form factor for one-handed use
- You bought it recently and the 17's features don't justify the upgrade cost
- The 60Hz display isn't something you've ever noticed or cared about
Buy the iPhone 17 if…
- You want 120Hz ProMotion and Always-On Display — finally on a standard iPhone
- Battery life is a daily frustration and you want real two-day endurance
- You shoot wide-angle photos and want 48MP ultrawide quality
- You video call frequently and want the 18MP front camera upgrade
Case Compatibility
iPhone 16 cases will NOT fit iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 is 2.0mm taller (149.6mm vs 147.6mm) and 0.15mm thicker (7.95mm vs 7.8mm). This height difference alone is enough to misalign all button cutouts and the camera module position. Budget for new cases — none of your existing iPhone 16 cases will carry over.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest upgrades from iPhone 16 to iPhone 17?
The iPhone 17 makes major strides in three areas: display (120Hz ProMotion and Always-On, up from static 60Hz on a larger 6.3" screen), battery (30 hours vs 22 hours of video playback; a 40W-or-higher adapter on the 17 versus 20W-or-higher on the 16, which is Apple's requirement language rather than a published device-draw maximum), and camera (48MP ultrawide vs 12MP, and 18MP front camera vs 12MP). The A19 chip and Action Button are also new additions.
Will iPhone 16 cases fit iPhone 17?
No. The iPhone 17 is 2mm taller (149.6mm vs 147.6mm) and 0.15mm thicker (7.95mm vs 7.8mm). These differences mean iPhone 16 cases will have misaligned camera cutouts and button openings. You'll need new cases when upgrading to the 17.
Does iPhone 17 have ProMotion 120Hz?
Yes. The iPhone 17 is the first standard (non-Pro) iPhone to feature a ProMotion adaptive 120Hz display along with Always-On Display. The iPhone 16 remains at 60Hz, so scrolling, animations, and gaming look smoother on the 17.