Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Plus lines up the September 2025 iPhone 17 with the September 2024 iPhone 16 Plus. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 17 leads iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Plus on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2622×1206, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak |
| Chip | A19Leads | A18 |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GBLeads | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Camera hardware | 48MP f/1.6 main, 48MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality cropLeads | 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop |
| Optical zoom | No optical telephotoTie | No optical telephotoTie |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 30 hours video playbackLeads | up to 27 hours video playback |
| Charging | 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapterLeads | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25W |
| Weight | 177 gLeads | 199 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 | Not listed | $899 launch price |
| Software | iOS 27 | iOS 18 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 17 if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, storage, camera hardware, battery, charging, and weight.
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if you want iOS 18 at launch.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 17 or iPhone 16 Plus?
iPhone 17 leads iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Plus on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Plus: which has the better battery?
iPhone 17 leads on battery. iPhone 17: up to 30 hours video playback. iPhone 16 Plus: up to 27 hours video playback.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Plus: which has the better camera?
iPhone 17 leads on camera hardware. iPhone 17: 48MP f/1.6 main, 48MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. iPhone 16 Plus: 48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 Plus cost at launch?
iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 Plus do not publish a comparable launch price figure. iPhone 17: Not listed. iPhone 16 Plus: $899 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 17 technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus technical specifications