Compare iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Pro
Which one is best for you?
The iPhone 17 is a newer phone, but the iPhone 16 Pro has Pro capabilities. When we compare the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 16 Pro, it’s clear both have strengths. The right choice for you will depend on which features are most important to you.
Some of the iPhone 16 Pros features are reflected in the baseline iPhone 17 model. So, the phones share some key traits including the ProMotion technology with refresh rates up to 120Hz and Always-On display. The phones also share Super Retina XDR displays of the same size – 6.3 inches. Super Retina XDR displays and ProMotion with refresh rates up to 120Hz. There’s a 20-gram difference in the device weights, despite their similar dimensions, with the iPhone 16 Pro heavier at 199 grams. Both phones have Apple Intelligence integrated, allowing you to benefit from artificial intelligence-powered productivity while protecting your privacy.
The iPhone 17 stands out when it comes to processing power and durability. iPhone 16 Pro runs on the A18 Pro chip, whereas the 17 has a A19 chip enabling better performance for longer. The 17 delivers up to 30 hours of video playback, slightly more than the 16 Pro’s 27 hours. The iPhone 17 also features the new Ceramic Shield 2 front, offering 3x more scratch resistance compared to the iPhone 16 Pro.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro offers advantages for photography and gaming enthusiasts who want more storage. It comes with a capacity range up to 1TB, double the maximum iPhone 17 capacity of 512GB. The 16 Pro supports a few features the iPhone 17 doesn’t have, like ProRAW for more creative freedom when editing photos, a 12-megapixel Telephoto lens, and up to 5x zoom compared to the iPhone 17’s 2x zoom. iPhone 16 Pro also features superior sensor-shift optical image stabilisation and a studio-quality four-mic array for more professional video recording. That said, the iPhone 17’s front camera is more advanced, with an 18MP lens (versus 12MP on the 16 Pro) and newly released features like Centre Stage, Dual Capture, and ultra-stabilised video for capturing group selfies and smooth footage.
Overall, the iPhone 17 is a great choice if you like using your front camera for photos and want better battery life and processing power, with a more hard-wearing screen. But, if you’re looking for a phone that supports zoom photography at a high quality and higher storage capacity, the iPhone 16 Pro may suit you better.