Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 17
Verdict
Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 17 tie on the OH Rank at a score of 67. Apple iPhone 16 wins on Main Camera; Apple iPhone 17 wins on Performance and Battery. Apple iPhone 16 is 0.1mm wider than Apple iPhone 17. Apple iPhone 17 is the more recent release, from Sep 19, 2025.
Score Breakdown
Performance /15
Battery /15
Screen /15
IP Protection /15
Main Camera /15
Selfie /5
Video /5
SD Memory /5
Software /5
Desktop Replacement /5
TOTAL
67
67
Apple iPhone 16
71.6mm (2.82in) · Sep 2024 · Rank #125
11+6+11+12+12+5+5+0+5+0 = 67
EDITORIAL: This round Apple upgraded itâs non-Pro modelsâ chips to match the Pro level. They are now better then ever. iPhone 16 is a great option for anyone needing great photos and videos from a compact iPhone. The screen is still only 60htz (no one else makes phones with such slow refresh rate any more) but this is a flagship grade phone in every other way
PROs
fast performance led by A18 chip, up to 6m of water submersion, good photos and excellent videos from a 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide plus a 12MP Selfie â all with PDAF, 6 years of iOS updates
CONs
improved but still barely a day of battery endurance, slow charging, only 60Hz when every other maker offers 120Hz screen refresh rate, no expandable storage or desktop replacement (updated Mar 30, 2025)
Apple iPhone 17
71.5mm (2.81in) · Sep 19, 2025 · Rank #115
13+7+11+12+9+5+5+0+5+0 = 67
* TOP Software* TOP Selfie* TOP Video Recording
EDITORIAL: The vanilla 17 gets a new A19 (3nm) chip along with now minimum 256GB of fast memory. In one of the biggest upgrades to an iPhone, Apple finally put in a 120Hz LTPO Retina OLED screen with advanced anti-glare coating. The resolution and Dolby Vision are the same as on the 17 Pro. Ultrawide camera is upgraded to 48MP and the new 18MP selfie is shared with Pro models too. In a true Apple fashion, battery tech is the same with just 130mAh more power. Taking the upgraded screen into account explains noticably worse battery endurance compared to iPhone 16.
PROs
fast A19 performance with a minimum of 256GB NVMe storage, sub-90min 30W charging (25W wireless), iPhone 17 Pro level 460ppi LTPO OLED screen with a proper 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision, IP68 protection (to 6m), reliable photos from a 48MP 26mm OIS main + 48MP 13mm ultrawide (both with PDAF), excellent photos from a new 18MP OIS PDAF Center Stage selfie, great videos front and back, stable and mature iOS with up to 6 years of updates
CONs
sub-24hr endurance from a 3692mAh Lithium battery, no SDmemory slot, no desktop replacement feature, slow USB-C 2.0 port tho there is a DisplayPort support, Siri laggs Android competition
Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.
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