Subj : iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 which entry-level mobile is best? To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Sun Sep 21 2025 15:15:11 iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 which entry-level mobile is best? Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000 Description: The iPhone 17 has a lot of upgrades compared to the iPhone 16, but visually these are very similar phones. FULL STORY ======================================================================iPhone 17 The iPhone 17 finally catches up with Android by having a 120Hz refresh rate. This makes all the difference, as does its upgraded ultra-wide and selfie cameras, while performance improvements are also appreciated. Pros A 120Hz refresh rate New cameras Very powerful Cons No change to design Same RAM as before Bigger and heavier than iPhone 16 iPhone 16 The iPhone 16 is a step down from the iPhone 17 in most ways, notably its cameras and refresh rate. But it's also cheaper, smaller, and lighter, so it could remain a very appealing option for some buyers. Pros Lower price Same great main camera All-day battery life Cons Only 60Hz Older chipset Dated ultra-wide sensor The iPhone 17 is Apples entry-level iPhone model for 2025, but it has had some notable upgrades from last years base model, including a few weve waited years for such as a 120Hz-refresh-rate screen. On the other hand, quite a few things are the same or similar to last year, so this isnt a complete overhaul. So, has enough been done to justify a purchase? Or should you stick with the iPhone 16 ? Below, youll find a closer look at how these two phones compare, to help you decide. iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: specs comparison Before we do a deep dive into the specs and features of these phones, the chart below has a brief overview of their key specs, so you can see how they stack up at a glance. iPhone 17 iPhone 16 Dimensions and weight: 149.6 x 71.5 x 8mm and 177g 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm and 170g Display: 6.3-inch 120Hz 6.1-inch 60Hz Peak brightness: 3,000 nits 2,000 nits Chipset: A19 A18 RAM: 8GB 8GB Rear cameras: 48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide 48MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide Front camera: 18MP 12MP Battery: 3,692mAh 3,561mAh Storage: 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: price and availability Image 1 of 2 The iPhone 17 (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Image 2 of 2 The iPhone 16 (Image credit: Future) The iPhone 17 shipped on September 19, 2025, and its widely available around the world. The iPhone 16 launched at a similar time in 2024 and is also widely available, as Apple still sells it. As for the prices, the iPhone 17 starts at $799 / 799 / AU$1,399, for which youll get a model with 256GB of storage. Theres also a 512GB version for $999 / 999 / AU$1,799. The iPhone 16 used to start at the same $799 / 799 / AU$1,399 price, but since the launch of the iPhone 17 it has dropped to $699 / 699 / AU$1,249. However, thats with just 128GB of storage, so youre getting half as much as the iPhone 17 starts with. There used to also be a 256GB model of the iPhone 16 for $899 / 899 / AU$1,599 and a 512GB one for $1,099 / 1,099 / AU$1,949, but these have been discontinued. Winner: iPhone 16 unless you need the extra storage iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: design Image 1 of 2 The iPhone 17 (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Image 2 of 2 The iPhone 16 (Image credit: Future) While most of the iPhone 17 series has undergone a redesign, the iPhone 17 itself is very similar to the iPhone 16, with both phones having a glass back housing a dual-lens camera. Both also have an aluminum frame, a flat screen with a Dynamic Island cut-out at the top, an Action button, a Camera Control button, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. So whats different? Well the available colors differ a bit, with the iPhone 17 being sold in Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, and Lavender, while the iPhone 16 is available in Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine. The iPhone 17 also uses Ceramic Shield 2 on its screen, which supposedly offers three times better scratch resistance than the original Ceramic Shield on the iPhone 16s display. And their weights and dimensions differ slightly the iPhone 17 is 149.6 x 71.5 x 8mm and 177g, while the iPhone 16 is 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm and 170g. So the new phone is slightly taller, thicker, and heavier. Winner: iPhone 17 on account of the Ceramic Shield 2 iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: display Image 1 of 2 The iPhone 17 (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Image 2 of 2 The iPhone 16 (Image credit: Future) More has been changed with the iPhone 17s screen, as this phone has a 6.3-inch 1206 x 2622 OLED display with 460 pixels per inch, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The iPhone 16 on the other hand has a 6.1-inch 1179 x 2556 OLED screen with 460 pixels per inch, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. So the iPhone 17s screen is bigger, has a much higher refresh rate which our iPhone 17 review described as a really nice upgrade and can get significantly brighter. Its refresh rate can also drop much lower than the iPhone 16s when a high refresh rate isnt needed, which means it can support always-on display too, which the iPhone 16 doesnt. This all adds up to a sizeable upgrade for the iPhone 17 on the display front in fact it's one of its biggest advantages over the older model. Winner: iPhone 17 iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: cameras Image 1 of 2 The iPhone 17 (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Image 2 of 2 The iPhone 16 (Image credit: Future) The iPhone 17 also has some upgraded cameras, as its packing a 48MP f/1.6 main sensor, a 48MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (with a 120-degree field of view), and an 18MP f/1.9 front-facing camera with Center Stage. The latter feature means you can take photos in portrait or landscape without physically turning the phone. The iPhone 16 has the same 48MP f/1.6 main camera, but it then has a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (with a 120-degree field of view), and a 12MP f/1.9 front-facing camera (without Center Stage). So its ultra-wide and selfie cameras are less capable. However, both phones can record video in up to 4K quality at up to 60fps, or in 1080p at up to 240fps. Our iPhone 17 review praised its cameras, describing them as excellent and plenty versatile, so this is one element thats well worth considering an iPhone 17 for. Winner: iPhone 17 iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: performance and software Image 1 of 2 The iPhone 17 (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Image 2 of 2 The iPhone 16 (Image credit: Future) The iPhone 17 is also a more powerful phone than the iPhone 16, with a new A19 chipset in place of its predecessors A18. That change delivers great performance according to our iPhone 17 review, though both phones have 8GB of RAM, and the iPhone 16 remains a speedy handset so consider whether you actually need all the extra power in the iPhone 17. Both phones also run iOS 26 , though being new, the iPhone 17 will probably be supported with software updates for longer. Winner: iPhone 17 iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: battery Image 1 of 2 The iPhone 17 (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Image 2 of 2 The iPhone 16 (Image credit: Future) Finally, we come to the battery, and thats been upgraded for the iPhone 17 too. This phone has a 3,692mAh one, which is up from 3,561mAh in the iPhone 16. Of course, it also has a bigger screen to power, and neither capacity is especially large. So hows the life? Well, Apple claims the iPhone 17 can last for up to 30 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 16 is only rated for 22. So thats a huge eight-hour difference. However our iPhone 17 review didnt see much change, stating that it can still last all day, but no major improvement. So take Apples claims with a pinch of salt. Either way, charging speeds should be slightly higher with the new phone, as Apple claims you can juice the iPhone 17 up to 50% in around 20 minutes (if using a 40W or higher charger), while the iPhone 16 will take around 30 minutes to reach the same charge level. Winner: iPhone 17 iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: verdict (Image credit: Apple / Future) As you'd expect, the iPhone 17 wins in almost every category, but some upgrades are more significant than others. On the screen and cameras front, at least, there are big reasons to choose the newer phone; with the former, youre finally getting a 120Hz refresh rate and an always-on display, plus the screen is bigger and brighter than before. With the latter, the ultra-wide and front-facing cameras have both been substantially improved. Beyond that, the iPhone 17 also has a bigger battery, faster charging, more power, and better scratch resistance. Plus, you get double the storage for the same price as the iPhone 16 launched at though the iPhone 16 is cheaper now. Beyond its lower price, the only real on-paper upside to the iPhone 16 is that its slightly smaller and lighter. So if a compact phone matters to you, thats worth factoring in. But in most ways that matter, the iPhone 17 looks to match or beat it. You might also like 5 hidden features in iOS 26, including iMessage polls and faster Reminders After a week with the iPhone 17, I'm convinced it's the best-value iPhone ever The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the best iPhone I've ever tested and I love it even in Cosmic Orange ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/iphone-17-vs-iphone-16 --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .