Now that the iPhone 17 has arrived, you could be questioning whether or not to purchase Apple’s newest system or rating final 12 months’s iPhone 16 at a $100 low cost. To assist with that call, this is a breakdown of how the 2 telephones examine.The iPhone 17 begins at $829 (or $799 for those who activate with a provider), the identical because the iPhone 16 when it got here out — with the important thing distinction being that the iPhone 17 begins with the next 256GB storage choice, versus 128GB on the iPhone 16.The iPhone 16 is now obtainable at a $100 low cost. So, is it value saving some cash, or must you splurge on the newest telephone?Here’s what to find out about every telephone, from the cameras to the shows to the batteries. Watch this: iPhone Air Review: A Joy to Hold, at a Cost
10:06 Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based opinions. Add CNET as a most well-liked Google supply.Screen variationsSome of the most important modifications between the iPhone 16 and 17 should do with the show.Apple says it shrunk the borders across the display on the iPhone 17, increasing the show from 6.1 inches on the iPhone 16 to 6.3 inches on the iPhone 17 with out increasing its dimensions. The new Ceramic Shield 2 cowl on the iPhone 17 provides 3x higher scratch resistance, based on the corporate. The baseline iPhone 17 will get a show with a 120Hz refresh charge, versus the 60Hz show on the iPhone 16. That means the iPhone 17 lastly helps an always-on show, so you’ll be able to look on the time, your notifications and Live Activities with out waking the display. The iPhone 17 additionally features an anti-reflective coating and a 3,000-nit peak brightness, in comparison with 2,000 nits on the iPhone 16. That ought to make it simpler to see your telephone in shiny daylight. Camera variationsBoth the iPhone 16 and 17 have a 48-megapixel wide-angle digital camera. But the iPhone 17 upgrades the ultrawide digital camera from 12 megapixels on final 12 months’s telephone to 48 megapixels. The front-facing digital camera additionally will get an improve, going from 12 megapixels on the iPhone 16 to 18 megapixels on the iPhone 17. There’s a brand new Center Stage function for the selfie digital camera that may robotically alter from a portrait orientation to panorama to verify everyone seems to be within the shot. That means you do not have to manually rotate your telephone to its aspect anymore when there are extra individuals to slot in the body. Both the iPhone 16 and 17 have a Camera Control button on the aspect to rapidly launch the digital camera, snap some pictures and use Apple’s Visual Intelligence device to be taught extra about what’s round you.Processor and RAMThe iPhone 17 packs an A19 chip, an improve from the A18 chip within the iPhone 16. One key distinction is that the iPhone 17 begins at 256GB, whereas the iPhone 16 began at 128GB for a similar $829 worth when it debuted. Both telephones additionally assist the Apple Intelligence suite of AI capabilities, which incorporates writing instruments, picture mills and notification summaries. Battery lifeApple would not share particular battery specs, but it surely does measure longevity through video playback hours. The iPhone 16 helps as much as 22 hours of video playback, based on Apple, whereas the iPhone 17 bumps that as much as 30 hours. In CNET’s 45-minute endurance check, which incorporates streaming, scrolling by means of social media, becoming a member of a video name and enjoying video games, the iPhone 17’s battery went from full to 98%. That’s simply over the 97% the iPhone 16 scored final 12 months. And in a three-hour streaming check over Wi-Fi, which includes watching a YouTube video in full-screen mode at full brightness, the iPhone 17’s battery went from full to 89%. In comparability, the iPhone 16 dropped to 86%.Anecdotally, the iPhone 17’s battery lasts over a day, even after taking images, scrolling by means of social media, watching movies, texting, sending emails and extra. The identical could be stated in regards to the iPhone 16, so that you probably will not really feel an enormous distinction between the 2 with regards to day-to-day actions. A brand new AI-powered Adaptive Power function arriving with iOS 26 will help preserve the battery by making “small performance adjustments,” like “allowing some activities to take a little longer,” based on Apple. The iPhone 17 arrives with the upcoming working system onboard, however you may additionally be capable of obtain iOS 26 on the iPhone 16, in addition to some older iPhones, as soon as it turns into obtainable publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both system.Color choices and designWhat’s on the within could also be most vital, however individuals additionally care what their telephone seems like. Like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 is available in a spread of enjoyable colours: black, white, mist blue, sage (a light-weight inexperienced) and lavender.For comparability, the iPhone 16 is offered in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine.Both telephones have an aluminum body.Check out the spec chart beneath for a breakdown of every telephone.Apple iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16 Apple iPhone 17Apple iPhone 16Show measurement, tech, decision, refresh charge 6.3-inch OLED; 2,622 x 1,206 pixel decision; 1-120Hz variable refresh rate6.1-inch OLED; 2,556 x 1,179 pixel decision; 60Hz refresh ratePixel density 460ppi460 ppiDimensions (inches) 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inDimensions (millimeters) 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 177 g (6.24 oz)170 g (6 oz.)Mobile software program iOS 26iOS 18Camera 48-megapixel (vast) 48-megapixel (ultrawide)48-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)Front-facing digital camera 18-megapixel12-megapixelVideo seize 4K4KProcessor Apple A19Apple A18RAM + storage RAM N/A + 256GB, 512GBRAM N/A + 128GB, 256GB, 512GBExpandable storage NoneNone (Face ID)Battery Up to 30 hours video playback; as much as 27 hours video playback (streamed). Fast cost as much as 50% in 20 minutes utilizing 40W adapter or greater through charging cable. Fast cost as much as 50% in 30 minutes utilizing 30W adapter or greater through MagSafe Charger.Up to 22 hours video playback; as much as 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wi-fi charging as much as 25W with 30W adapter or greater; Qi2 as much as 15WFingerprint sensor None (Face ID)None (Face ID)Connector USB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneParticular options Apple N1 wi-fi networking chip (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2×2 MIMO), Bluetooth 6, Thread. Action button. Camera Control button. Dynamic Island. Apple Intelligence. Visual Intelligence. Dual eSIM. 1 to 3000 nits brightness show vary. IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, mist blue, sage, lavender.Apple Intelligence, Action button, Camera Control button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits show brightness vary, IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine.US worth begins at $829 (256GB)$829 (128GB)
