Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Apple iPhone 17
The Verdict
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Apple iPhone 17 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple iPhone 17 is the cheaper of the two at $799 versus $899, a difference of about $100. The Apple iPhone 17 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPhone 16 Plus stands out for excellent battery life from large 4674 mah cell, while Apple iPhone 17 is praised for a19 chip with improved efficiency. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus if…
- →Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- →A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 if…
- →A19 chip with improved efficiency
- →Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- →48MP main camera with improved processing
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
Apple iPhone 17
Pros
- A19 chip with improved efficiency
- Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- 48MP main camera with improved processing
- ProMotion 120Hz display
Cons
- Still only 27W wired charging
- No telephoto lens
- 8GB RAM vs 12GB on Pro models
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Apple iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | iOS 19 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 174 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 147 x 71 x 7.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP, f/1.6, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 24 MP, f/1.9, Center Stage |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 3600 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 27W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 1179 x 2556 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | 6-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | 5-core GPU |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Apple A19 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Apple products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Apple iPhone 17.