iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: What’s Actually New
Apple’s dropped the iPhone 17, and the big question is simple: how much better is it than the iPhone 16? Some changes are genuinely useful; others are just Apple flexing for headlines. I’ve been testing both side by side to see what’s actually new, what’s worth caring about, and what you can safely ignore. Here’s the straight-talking breakdown.
1. Design & Display
The iPhone 16 was already a tidy-looking slab of glass and metal, but the 17 smooths a few edges. Bezels are slimmer, the notch has finally been binned off, and the front looks cleaner overall. The big win? ProMotion 120Hz is now standard, so scrolling and swiping feels buttery instead of sticky. Plus, the always-on screen makes it look a bit more alive on your desk.
Is it night and day? Nah. But once you’ve had 120Hz, going back feels like rubbing sandpaper on your eyeballs.
Winner: iPhone 17 – smoother screen, cleaner front, and always-on perks.
2. Performance & Power
The 16’s A18 chip was no slouch, but the iPhone 17 packs the new A19 with beefed-up brains for AI and multitasking. Everyday stuff like messages and TikTok feel the same, but fire up a game or edit a chunky 4K video, and you’ll clock the extra oomph.
There’s also a fancy new N1 networking chip, which makes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth more stable. You might not notice until you’re streaming in a packed café and your mate’s phone keeps dropping signal, while yours soldiers on.
Winner: iPhone 17 – not revolutionary for casual use, but future-proof and noticeably faster for heavy lifting.
3. Cameras: Snaps & Zooms
Here’s where things get tasty. The 16 gave us a solid 48MP main cam, but the 17 levels up with dual 48MP shooters (main and ultra-wide). Translation: more detail, sharper low-light shots, and fewer potato-looking zooms.
They’ve also chucked in a better front cam (18MP), so your selfies and video calls don’t look like they were taken on a toaster. And with the telephoto baked into the regular model, you don’t need to shell out for a Pro Max just to zoom properly anymore.
Winner: iPhone 17 – sharper cameras all-round, front and back.
4. Battery: More Juice, Less Stress
The 16 was decent, lasting most of the day with a bit left in the tank. But the iPhone 17? Absolute champ. We’re talking 30 hours of video playback - easily a full day and then some, even if you’re hammering it with streaming, socials, and sat-nav.
Charging’s quicker too - 50% in around 20 minutes if you’ve got a chunky enough charger. Less time tethered to the wall, more time faffing about online.
Winner: iPhone 17 – longer-lasting and faster-charging.
5. The Little Extras
- Ceramic Shield 2: posher glass that’s less scratch-happy in your pocket.
- Apple Intelligence: still rolling out, but the 17’s faster chip makes the AI bits run smoother.
- Emergency SOS via satellite: still here — hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s comforting if you go hiking or get stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Most of these feel like polishing rather than headline features, but it’s polish that helps the 17 shine a bit brighter.
Winner: iPhone 17 – mostly minor, but useful extras.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Which One to Choose?
If you can’t be arsed reading every last detail, here’s the no-BS cheat sheet: iPhone 17 vs 16, side by side, with clear winners.
|
Feature |
iPhone 16 |
iPhone 17 |
Winner |
|
Display |
6.1" OLED, 60Hz, no always-on |
6.3" OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, always-on, slimmer bezels |
iPhone 17 |
|
Processor |
A18 chip |
A19 chip + N1 networking (better AI, smoother multitasking) |
iPhone 17 |
|
Cameras |
48MP main + 12MP ultra-wide |
Dual 48MP (main + ultra-wide) + telephoto + 18MP front cam |
iPhone 17 |
|
Battery life |
~22 hrs video playback |
~30 hrs video playback, faster charging (50% in 20 mins) |
iPhone 17 |
|
Build |
Ceramic Shield |
Ceramic Shield 2 (stronger scratch resistance) |
iPhone 17 |
|
Extras |
Satellite SOS, crash detection, MagSafe |
Same + smarter AI integration, cooler internals |
iPhone 17 |
So, Worth the Upgrade or Not?
- On an iPhone 12, 13, or 14? This is a massive glow-up. New screen, cameras, battery - you’ll notice straight away.
- On a 16? If your battery’s knackered or you do loads of gaming and content creation, the 17 is tempting. Otherwise, your 16’s still got plenty of life left.
- On a 16 Pro or Pro Max? The jump feels smaller. Unless you’ve got upgrade cash burning a hole in your pocket, you’re safe to wait.
Final Verdict
The iPhone 17 isn’t a total reinvention - it’s Apple doing what they do best: polishing, tweaking, and nudging things forward just enough to make you think about it. The 120Hz display and battery life are proper standouts, and the camera boost is hard to ignore. But if you’ve only just snagged a 16, don’t feel left behind.
Before You Decide…
Is the iPhone 17 worth upgrading from the iPhone 16?
If you care about better battery life, smoother 120Hz display, and sharper cameras, the iPhone 17 is a clear step up. But if you’re happy with your 16 and it’s still running well, you’re not missing out on anything revolutionary.
What’s the biggest difference between iPhone 16 and iPhone 17?
The iPhone 17’s standout upgrades are its ProMotion display, improved battery life, and upgraded dual 48MP cameras. These are the changes you’ll actually notice day to day.
Does the iPhone 17 have better battery life than the iPhone 16?
Yes — the iPhone 17 pushes video playback to around 30 hours (vs 22 on the iPhone 16) and charges faster too (50% in about 20 minutes with the right charger).
Are the iPhone 17 cameras better than the iPhone 16?
Definitely. The iPhone 17 has dual 48MP lenses (main + ultra-wide) plus a better telephoto option and upgraded front camera. The iPhone 16 is still solid, but the 17 wins for detail and low-light performance.
Should I upgrade if I already own the iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max?
Probably not. The improvements are nice but not massive compared to the Pro models. Unless your battery’s worn out or you crave the new features, you can comfortably stick with your 16 Pro.
How much faster is the iPhone 17 compared to the iPhone 16?
In everyday use, you might not feel much difference. But under heavy loads like gaming, video editing, or AI features, the iPhone 17’s A19 chip and N1 networking chip make it smoother and more future-proof.
| Read More: |
| iPhone 17 UK Price Breakdown: Deals, Contracts & Pre-Order Options |
| Should You Upgrade to iPhone 17 from iPhone 14 or 15? |
| iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Should You Upgrade? |
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