If you’re deciding between the newest iPhone 17 and a discounted iPhone 16, the choice hinges on a handful of upgrades. The newer model starts at $829 with 256 GB of storage, while the older phone is now available for a $100 discount.
At a Glance
- Price parity: both phones launch at $829.
- Storage jump: iPhone 17 begins at 256 GB, double the 128 GB base on the iPhone 16.
- Display upgrade: 6.3-inch OLED with 120 Hz on the iPhone 17 versus 6.1-inch, 60 Hz on the iPhone 16.
- Battery life: up to 30 hours video playback on the iPhone 17, compared to 22 hours on the iPhone 16.
Display and Visual Experience
Apple reduced bezel width on the iPhone 17, expanding the screen from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches without changing the phone’s overall dimensions. The new OLED panel supports a variable refresh rate up to 120 Hz, a first for the series. Because of the higher refresh rate, the iPhone 17 now offers an always-on display, letting users glance at time, notifications, and Live Activities without waking the screen.
Additional visual enhancements include:
- A Ceramic Shield 2 cover that claims three-times better scratch resistance.
- An anti-reflective coating and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, up from 2,000 nits on the iPhone 16.
- A new “Dynamic Island” interface that integrates notifications and activities into the notch area.
Camera Improvements
Both phones share a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera, but the iPhone 17 upgrades the ultra-wide sensor from 12 MP to 48 MP. The front-facing camera also increases from 12 MP to 18 MP. Apple added a new Center Stage feature that automatically adjusts the selfie orientation from portrait to landscape, keeping everyone in frame without manual rotation.
The side-mounted Camera Control button is present on both models, offering quick access to the camera and Apple’s Visual Intelligence tools.
Processor, RAM, and AI Features
The iPhone 17 is powered by the A19 chip, an upgrade from the A18 found in the iPhone 16. While Apple does not disclose RAM sizes, both devices support the Apple Intelligence suite, which includes writing tools, image generators, and notification summaries.
Because the iPhone 17 starts with 256 GB of storage, users get more space for apps, photos, and media at launch. The iPhone 16’s base configuration offers 128 GB, with higher tiers available.
Battery Life and Power Management
Apple reports video playback times of up to 30 hours on the iPhone 17, versus 22 hours on the iPhone 16. In a 45-minute endurance test conducted by News Of Los Angeles, the iPhone 17’s battery dropped from full to 98 % after a mix of streaming, social media, video calls, and gaming, compared to 97 % on the iPhone 16.
A three-hour Wi-Fi streaming test showed the iPhone 17’s battery at 89 % after a full-screen YouTube video at full brightness, while the iPhone 16 fell to 86 %. Both devices support fast charging: the iPhone 17 reaches 50 % in 20 minutes with a 40 W adapter, and the iPhone 16 charges to 50 % in 30 minutes with a 30 W adapter.
Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 will introduce an Adaptive Power feature that can conserve battery by making small performance adjustments.
Design, Colors, and Build
Both phones feature an aluminum frame and IP68 water resistance. The iPhone 17 comes in black, white, mist blue, sage, and lavender, while the iPhone 16 is available in black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine.
The iPhone 17’s dimensions are 5.89 × 2.81 × 0.31 inches (149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm) and it weighs 177 g (6.24 oz). The iPhone 16 measures 5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 inches (147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm) and weighs 170 g (6 oz).
Pricing and Availability
- iPhone 17: Starts at $829 with 256 GB of storage.
- iPhone 16: Now available at a $100 discount, starting at $829 for the 128 GB model.
Both devices ship with the latest iOS version at launch-iPhone 17 with iOS 26 and iPhone 16 with iOS 18, which can be updated to iOS 26 once it becomes public.
Key Takeaways
| Feature | iPhone 17 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 6.3-inch OLED, 120 Hz | 6.1-inch OLED, 60 Hz |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 12 MP |
| Battery life | Up to 30 hours video | Up to 22 hours video |
| Starting storage | 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Price | $829 | $829 (discounted $100) |
The iPhone 17 offers noticeable upgrades in display, camera, and battery performance, while the iPhone 16 remains a compelling choice for those who want a lower-cost entry into the latest iPhone ecosystem. Choosing between the two depends on how much value you place on the newest features versus the savings from a discounted older model.
