iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17: A Comprehensive Comparison of 16 and 17 Series

The iPhone series has always been at the forefront of smartphone innovation, with each new iteration offering unique features and improvements. With the recent launch of the iPhone 17, Apple fans are once again faced with the decision of whether to upgrade or stick with their current device. Besides, some users don't know whether they should buy iPhone 16 or iPhone 17. iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17, which is your best iPhone? Go ahead to get your answer.

Part 1: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 - Display and Design

Apple has always been known for its stunning displays and sleek designs, and the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 are no exception. Both phones boast OLED Super Retina displays that deliver vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional clarity. However, the iPhone 17 introduces a few enhancements over the iPhone 16.

Take a quick look at the comparison of iPhones' display and design:

Display

iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 17 (Standard Models)

Screen Size is a key change. The iPhone 16 had a 6.1-inch OLED screen. The iPhone 17 increases this to a slightly larger 6.3-inch display.

Refresh Rate is arguably the most impactful upgrade. The iPhone 16 was limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, a point of contention for many users. The iPhone 17 introduces ProMotion, providing an adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. This not only makes animations and scrolling incredibly smooth but also enables the Always-On Display feature, which was previously exclusive to Pro models.

The iPhone 17's display is notably brighter, with a peak outdoor brightness of up to 3000 nits, compared to the iPhone 16's 2000 nits. The iPhone 17 also features a new anti-reflective coating, making it easier to view in bright sunlight.

In durability, the iPhone 17 uses the new Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which Apple claims is three times more resistant to scratches than the Ceramic Shield on the iPhone 16.

iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone Air (Replaced Model)

The iPhone 16 Plus, with its 6.7-inch display, has been replaced in the iPhone 17 lineup by the new iPhone Air. The iPhone Air is a new, thinner, and lighter model with a 6.5-inch display. While both offer a large screen experience, the iPhone Air's design focuses on a slimmer profile.

iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro (Pro Models)

The iPhone 16 Pro had a 6.3-inch display. The iPhone 17 Pro maintains this size, with both models offering the ProMotion technology and Always-On Display.

Similar to the standard models, the iPhone 17 Pro's display gets a significant brightness boost to 3000 nits (vs. 2000 nits on the 16 Pro) and is protected by the new Ceramic Shield 2.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max (Pro Max Models)

The screen sizes remain consistent at 6.9 inches for both Pro Max models. Like the Pro, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a brighter display (3000 nits) and the more scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2.

Design

iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 17 (Standard Models)

The iPhone 17 is slightly taller and heavier due to the larger display and new components. The iPhone 16 measured 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches and weighed 6.00 ounces, while the iPhone 17 is 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches and 6.24 ounces.

The iPhone 16 introduced a vertical dual-lens camera module. The iPhone 17 retains this vertical layout but refines the design with a more pronounced, raised oval-shaped camera bump.

Both models feature a flat-edged design with an aluminum frame. The iPhone 16 offered colors like Black, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine. The iPhone 17 comes in a new color palette, including Black, Mist Blue, Lavender, Sage, and White.

iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone Air (Replaced Model)

The iPhone Air is notably thinner and lighter than the 16 Plus. It measures 6.18 x 2.99 x 0.28 inches and weighs just 6.35 ounces. This makes it a compelling choice for users who want a large display without the bulk and weight.

Unlike the vertical camera layout of the 16 Plus, the iPhone Air features a unique, small, pill-shaped camera bump that houses its dual-camera system. This design choice is meant to make the phone feel even more minimal and sleek.

In a nutshell, while the iPhone 16 Plus was a straightforward, larger version of its standard counterpart, the iPhone Air is a standalone model with its own design identity, prioritizing a thin, light, and comfortable form factor.

Tips: To protect your data on your old iPhone, you can back up your iPhone data to your laptop first. After getting the new iPhone, you can restore your backup data to the new device.

iPhone 16 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro (Pro Models)

As for frame material, the iPhone 16 Pro series was the first to use a titanium frame, known for its light weight and strength. The iPhone 17 Pro, however, reverts to an aerospace-grade aluminum frame, which is said to improve heat dissipation.

The iPhone 16 Pro had a square-shaped camera module. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max feature a new "Camera Plateau" design—a horizontal rectangular bump that stretches across the back of the phone. This new design is more symmetrical and provides better stability when the phone is laid on a flat surface.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max (Pro Max Models)

The design changes mirror those of the Pro models, including the switch back to an aluminum frame from titanium and the adoption of the new horizontal "Camera Plateau".

Part 2: iPhone 16 Series vs iPhone 17 Series - Camera System

It's great to focus on the camera systems, as this is often where the most significant generational upgrades happen. Here is a comprehensive comparison of the camera systems for all models across the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series.

iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 17 (Standard Models)

The iPhone 16 featured a dual-camera system with a vertical layout.

1. Main Camera: A 48MP main sensor, which was a significant upgrade from the 12MP sensor on the iPhone 15. It utilized pixel-binning to produce detailed 12MP photos by default but could also shoot in a full 48MP resolution. It also had an optical-quality 2x telephoto crop from the main sensor.
2. Ultra Wide Camera: A 12MP Ultra Wide sensor.
3. Front Camera: A 12MP TrueDepth front-facing camera.

The iPhone 17 refines the camera system, with a major focus on the Ultra Wide and front-facing cameras.

1. Main Camera: A 48MP main sensor, similar to the iPhone 16, but with an improved Photonic Engine for better low-light performance and color accuracy. It still offers the optical-quality 2x telephoto crop.
2. Ultra Wide Camera: Upgraded from 12MP to a 48MP Ultra Wide sensor. This is a massive leap, allowing for much more detail in wide-angle shots and improved macro photography.
3. Front Camera: A new 18MP Center Stage front-facing camera with a new square sensor. This camera offers a wider field of view and supports the "Center Stage" feature, which automatically keeps subjects centered in the frame during video calls and group selfies. It can also expand the frame for group selfies without physically rotating the phone.

iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone Air (Replaced Model)

iPhone 16 Plus has the exact same camera system as the standard iPhone 16: a 48MP main camera and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera on the back, and a 12MP TrueDepth front camera.

iPhone Air, this new model is designed to be ultra-thin and light, and its camera system reflects a new approach. It features a single, versatile 48MP Fusion Camera on the back. While it lacks the dedicated Ultra Wide camera of the other models, it is built with a larger 2.0μm quad-pixel sensor for excellent low-light performance. It also supports an optical-quality 2x telephoto crop. On the front, it features the same new 18MP Center Stage camera as the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup.

iPhone 16 Pro/16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 17 Pro/17 Pro Max(Pro and Pro Max Models)

The iPhone 16 Pro brought a significant upgrade by including the 5x optical telephoto lens previously exclusive to the Pro Max.

1. Main Camera: 48MP main sensor.
2. Ultra Wide Camera: 48MP Ultra Wide sensor.
3. Telephoto Camera: 12MP telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom.
4. Front Camera: 12MP TrueDepth camera.

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max's camera system is where the iPhone 17 series truly shines, marking a major overhaul for professional photographers and videographers.

1. Main Camera: A new 48MP main sensor with a larger sensor for improved light capture and low-light performance.
2. Ultra Wide Camera: A new 48MP Ultra Wide sensor, also with a larger sensor and improved optics.
3. Telephoto Camera: The biggest upgrade. The iPhone 17 Pro now has a 48MP telephoto lens. This new lens, with its next-generation tetraprism design, offers 4x optical zoom and an incredible 8x optical-quality zoom. This provides users with unprecedented flexibility for distant subjects.
4. Front Camera: The new 18MP Center Stage front-facing camera, bringing the same improvements found on the standard iPhone 17 models.

Part 3: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 - Performance and Processor

Performance is a key differentiator between the two generations. The iPhone 16 series introduced the A18 Bionic chip in the standard models and the more powerful A18 Pro Bionic chip in the Pro models. The iPhone 17 has pushed performance even further. The A19 Bionic chip powers the standard iPhone 17 models, with the A19 Pro Bionic chip in the Pro series and Air.

iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 17 (Standard Models)

The iPhone 16 is powered by the A18 Bionic chip, built on a 3-nanometer process. It features a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This chip provides excellent performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and basic AI features. It offers strong power efficiency and a thermal design for heat dissipation.

The standard iPhone 17 is equipped with the new A19 Bionic chip, which is also built on a 3-nanometer process but with a more advanced architecture. It features the same 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU configuration, but with an updated design that includes Neural Accelerators built into each GPU core. This gives the A19 Bionic a performance edge, particularly for generative AI tasks. The new chip, combined with an Apple-designed N1 wireless networking chip, also improves power efficiency and battery life.

iPhone 16 Plus vs. iPhone Air (Replaced Model)

The iPhone 16 Plus is powered by the A18 Bionic chip, the same as the standard iPhone 16.

The iPhone Air introduces a new performance tier. It is powered by the A19 Pro chip, the same chip found in the high-end iPhone 17 Pro models. However, to accommodate its ultra-thin design, its A19 Pro chip has a slightly different configuration with one less GPU core than the one in the Pro models. This allows the iPhone Air to deliver pro-level performance for a wide range of tasks, from gaming to on-device AI, while maintaining its lightweight form factor.

iPhone 16 Pro/16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 17 Pro/17 Pro Max (Pro and Pro Max Models)

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the A18 Pro chip. This was the top-tier processor for its generation, with a more powerful GPU and a higher-performing Neural Engine than the standard A18 Bionic. It enabled advanced features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and more complex on-device machine learning.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the new A19 Pro chip. This is the most powerful chip Apple has ever created for a smartphone. It features a new 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and an even faster 16-core Neural Engine. The A19 Pro delivers up to 40% better sustained performance than the A18 Pro, thanks to a new internal design with an Apple-designed vapor chamber for enhanced thermal management. This allows the iPhone 17 Pro to run demanding AAA games and large local language models with unprecedented fluidity.

Part 4: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 - Connectivity and Battery

Their connectivity and battery are different. Here is the comparison in detail:

Connectivity

iPhone 16 Series

1. Wi-Fi: All models support Wi-Fi 7.
2. Bluetooth: All models support Bluetooth 5.3.
3. USB-C: iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: USB 2.0 (480 Mbps); iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps).
4. SIM: Supports Dual eSIM in the US, and a nano-SIM with eSIM in other regions. In mainland China, they support Dual nano-SIM.

iPhone 17 Series

1. Wi-Fi: Features a new Apple-designed N1 wireless chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7.
2. Bluetooth: The new N1 chip also enables support for the latest Bluetooth 6 standard.
3. USB-C: iPhone 17 and iPhone Air: USB 2.0 (480 Mbps); iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max: USB 3 (10 Gbps).
4. 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).

By the way, iPhone Air supports eSIM + eSIM only.

Battery

iPhone 16 Series

Capacity & Playback (Video):

1. iPhone 16: 3,561 mAh, up to 22 hours.
2. iPhone 16 Plus: 4,674 mAh, up to 27 hours.
3. iPhone 16 Pro: 3,582 mAh.
4. iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,685 mAh, up to 24 hours.
5. Charging: All models support MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W and Qi2 wireless charging. Fast wired charging delivers a 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter.

iPhone 17 Series

Capacity & Playback (Video):

1. iPhone 17: 3,692 mAh, up to 30 hours.
2. iPhone Air: Up to 27 hours.
3. iPhone 17 Pro: 4,252 mAh, up to 33 hours.
4. iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5,088 mAh, up to 39 hours, marking Apple's best battery performance ever on an iPhone.
5. Charging: All models support up to 25W MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. They also introduce support for fast wired charging up to 40W, which can achieve a 50% charge in just 20 minutes.

Part 5: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 - Price and Value

Compare the price and value of all the models of iPhone 16 and iPhone 17.

Price

iPhone 16 Series

1. iPhone 16: $699 USD for 128GB
2. iPhone 16 Plus: $899 USD for 256GB
3. iPhone 16 Pro: Starting price at $999 USD for 128GB
4. iPhone 16 Pro Max: Starting price at $1,099 USD for 256GB
5. iPhone 16e: $599 USD for 128GB; $699 USD for 256GB; $899 USD for 512GB

iPhone 17 Series

1. iPhone 17: $799 USD for 256GB; $899 USD for 512GB
2. iPhone 17 Pro: $1099 USD for 256GB; $1299 USD for 512GB; $1499 USD for 1TB
3. iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1199 USD for 256GB; $1399 USD for 512GB; $1599 USD for 1TB; $1999 USD for 2TB

Value

With the release of the iPhone 17 series, comparing its value against the iPhone 16 series is a key consideration for new buyers and upgraders. The "value" of each phone depends on what a user prioritizes: price, features, or a balance of both.

With the release of the iPhone 17, Apple has dropped the price of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to a starting point of $699 and $899. This makes the iPhone 16 an excellent value for budget-conscious buyers who want a premium iPhone experience without the latest features. While it lacks the iPhone 17's ProMotion display, new cameras, and latest chip, it remains a powerful and capable device with a great camera system and strong performance.

The iPhone 17 is presented as a strong value this year. It offers a significant number of upgrades over its predecessor while maintaining the same starting price. The key value-adds include a larger 6.3-inch display with ProMotion and an always-on feature, a more scratch-resistant "Ceramic Shield 2" front, a faster A19 chip, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and an improved 18MP front-facing camera. Crucially, the base model now starts with 256GB of storage, effectively doubling the storage for the same price as the iPhone 16's launch price.

Part 6: Q&A About iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17

Q1: Which is better, iPhone 17 or iPhone 16 Pro?

Choosing between the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 16 Pro is a classic dilemma: do you go for the newer standard model or the one-year-old Pro model? The answer depends on your specific needs, especially in the areas of photography, performance, and screen quality.

For serious photographers who need a telephoto lens for portraits and long-distance shots, the iPhone 16 Pro is the better choice. However, the iPhone 17's new 48MP ultrawide camera and the upgraded 18MP front camera make it a strong contender for everyday photography and video calls.

Q2: Which is better, iPhone Air or iPhone 16e?

iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever made (5.6mm), featuring a sleek, premium titanium frame and a durable Ceramic Shield back. It has a larger 6.5-inch display. The iPhone 16e is an affordable entry-level phone. Furthermore, iPhone 16e is significantly more affordable than the iPhone Air, making it the best option if budget is your primary concern.

Part 7: Transfer Data from Old Phone to New iPhone in 1 Click

Once you've made your decision and have your new iPhone 16 or iPhone 17, you'll need to transfer your data. While Apple's built-in migration tools are useful, a one-stop program like iReaShare Phone Transfer can offer a stable solution via USB without a network, allowing you to move data from Android to iOS and from iOS to iOS. By the way, this software also supports data migration between Android devices.

Main features of iReaShare Phone Transfer:

* Support transferring data not only between devices with the same operating system (iOS to iOS, Android to Android) but also between different ones (Android to iOS, iOS to Android).

* Allow you to transfer all your selected data with a single click.

* Transfer various data types, including contacts, calendar, books, bookmarks, etc.

* Compatible with a broad range of devices, including most generations of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, as well as major Android brands like Samsung, Google, Huawei, TCL, OnePlus, Motorola, Tecno, Xiaomi, and others.

* Support iOS 5.0 or higher, and Android 6.0 or later.

Download iReaShare Phone Transfer.

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You can watch the video guide to transfer your data to your new smartphone:

Conclusion

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 both offer impressive features, but the iPhone 17 takes things to a new level with its enhanced performance, camera system, and design. If you're due for an upgrade and want the latest tech, the iPhone 17 is the way to go. However, if you're happy with the performance and features of the iPhone 16, it still remains an excellent choice, especially with its more affordable pricing.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your specific needs and budget. Either way, both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 will deliver a premium smartphone experience. After getting your new iPhone, you can use iReaShare Phone Transfer to complete the data transfer as easily as ever.

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Elowen Wilson Senior Editor

Elowen has been specializing in iOS devices and data transfer for over three years. She is very familiar with all generations of iPhones and iPads, so she is able to provide readers with all kinds of useful guides and tips about iOS backup, data recovery, unlocking, system repair, etc.