Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 lines up the September 2024 iPhone 16 with the September 2025 iPhone 17. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 17 leads iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556×1179, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2622×1206, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads |
| Chip | A18 | A19Leads |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GBLeads |
| Camera hardware | 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop | 48MP f/1.6 main, 48MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality cropLeads |
| Optical zoom | No optical telephotoTie | No optical telephotoTie |
| Front camera | 12MP | 18MP Center Stage |
| Battery | up to 22 hours video playback | up to 30 hours video playbackLeads |
| Charging | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25W | 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapterLeads |
| Weight | 170 gLeads | 177 g |
| Water resistance | IP68Tie | IP68Tie |
| Software support | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window |
| Launch price | $799 launch price | Not listed |
| Software | iOS 18 at launch | iOS 27 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 16 if you want iOS 18 at launch. It leads on weight.
Choose the iPhone 17 if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, storage, camera hardware, battery, and charging.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 16 or iPhone 17?
iPhone 17 leads iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17: which has the better battery?
iPhone 17 leads on battery. iPhone 16: up to 22 hours video playback. iPhone 17: up to 30 hours video playback.
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17: which has the better camera?
iPhone 17 leads on camera hardware. iPhone 16: 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. iPhone 17: 48MP f/1.6 main, 48MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 cost at launch?
iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 do not publish a comparable launch price figure. iPhone 16: $799 launch price. iPhone 17: Not listed.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 16 technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 17 technical specifications