Apple has officially launched the iPhone 17, bringing several meaningful upgrades while keeping the iPhone 16 in the lineup at a reduced price. If you’re trying to decide which model offers better value, we’ve compared the two base versions spec-for-spec to help you make the right choice.

Price: iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16

Apple prices the iPhone 17 at $799 (256GB) and $999 (512GB). Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 now starts at $699, but it’s only available with 128GB of storage.

👉 If price is your main concern, the iPhone 16 is $100 cheaper.

Winner: iPhone 16

Design and Build

At first glance, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 look nearly identical. Both feature:

Dynamic Island cutout
Flat sides and back
Vertical pill-shaped dual-camera setup
IP68 water and dust resistance
Aluminum frame

The differences are subtle:

Size & Weight: iPhone 16 measures 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches, 6.00 ounces; iPhone 17 is slightly taller and heavier at 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches, 6.24 ounces.
Durability: iPhone 16 uses Ceramic Shield, while iPhone 17 introduces Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple claims is three times more scratch-resistant.
Colors: iPhone 17 comes in Black, Mist Blue, Lavender, Sage, and White. iPhone 16 is available in Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine, and White.

Display

The screen is where the iPhone 17 clearly pulls ahead.

iPhone 17:
- 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
- 2,622 x 1,206 resolution (460 ppi)
- 1Hz–120Hz adaptive refresh rate (ProMotion)
- Peak brightness: 3,000 nits
- Anti-reflective coating
- Always-On Display support (first time on a standard iPhone)
iPhone 16:
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
- 2,556 x 1,179 resolution (460 ppi)
- 60Hz refresh rate
- Peak brightness: 2,000 nits
- No anti-reflective coating
- No Always-On Display

👉 The iPhone 16 display is solid, but the iPhone 17’s brighter, smoother, and always-on panel is a big step forward.

Winner: iPhone 17

Performance

iPhone 17: Powered by the new Apple A19 chip with iOS 26.
iPhone 16: Uses the Apple A18 chip, shipping with iOS 18.

While both are fast, the iPhone 17 promises better efficiency, speed, and future-proofing thanks to its newer processor.

Cameras

Both iPhones have dual rear cameras, but Apple upgraded the front-facing sensor on the iPhone 17.

iPhone 17: Rear – 48MP wide + 48MP ultra-wide; Front – 18MP
iPhone 16: Rear – 48MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide; Front – 12MP

The improved front camera on the iPhone 17 will appeal to selfie fans and video callers.

Winner: iPhone 17

Battery Life

iPhone 16: Tested at 17 hours, 47 minutes.
iPhone 17: Battery life not yet fully tested (TBD), but efficiency gains from the A19 chip may bring improvements.

Final Verdict: iPhone 17 or iPhone 16?

Choose the iPhone 17 if you want the best display, stronger durability, upgraded cameras, and future-proof performance.
Choose the iPhone 16 if you’re on a budget and don’t need the latest upgrades—the $100 savings makes it one of the best-value iPhones still available.

👉 If price is your top concern, the iPhone 16 wins. But if you want the best overall experience, the iPhone 17 is the smarter buy.