iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: Key differences compared
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If you want better cameras, better battery life, and improved performance then the iPhone 17 Pro is the one to choose. But the iPhone 16 Pro isn’t a bad iPhone if you can get a good deal.
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While the iPhone 16 to iPhone 17 sees Apple roll out some big improvements, like ProMotion and double the storage on its latest ‘base’ phone, the iPhone 16 Pro to iPhone 17 Pro jump is perhaps a little less consequential.
There are still improvements to be found, but they’re a little predictable: Better battery, improved cameras, and a brighter display.
Here’s our full comparison of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro where we consider whether it’s worth upgrading from one to the other. We also consider what to do if you find a deal on an iPhone 16 Pro, or a refurbished model: should you get it, or should you pay more for the newer model?
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: Design and Build
There is a noticeable difference in this year’s iPhone 17 Pro versus its predecessor, and it all has to do with the back of the device.
The camera cluster is gone, replaced by what Apple is calling the “plateau”, which houses the three sensors, the flash, and more. The Apple logo has been moved lower, too, slapped on top of a Ceramic Shield cover that Apple says makes the new phones more durable.
It’s more scratch-resistant thanks to the Ceramic Shield (version 2) on the front, too, but the rest of the phone isn’t made of Titanium anymore. Instead, Apple has gone back to aluminium, and you can buy the new model in Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange, or Silver (no black, this time).
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</button><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">iPhone 16 Pro (left) and iPhone 17 Pro (right)</figcaption></figure>
Foundry
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: Display
Even the iPhone 17 now has ProMotion for variable refresh rate, so this is no longer a distinction between the pro and standard iPhones.
There is a change to the iPhone 17 Pro screen compared to the 2024 model though: Brightness is improved, going up to 3,000 nits (instead of 2,000 nits). Paired with an anti-reflective cover, the iPhone 17 Pro is much easier to read outdoors.
And, as we covered above, Ceramic Shield 2 makes the display more scratch-resistant.
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Stephan Wiesend
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: Specs
There are far fewer differences between the iPhone 17 Pro and 16 Pro than there are between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17.
As with the iPhone 17, there is no longer a 128GB version. The processor jumps from A18 Pro to A19 Pro. Battery life is better. Bluetooth is improved. The camera, as you will see below, gets a pretty big update.
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| iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR (2622 x 1206), up to 120Hz refresh rate | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR (2622 x 1206), up to 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | A18 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Rear Camera | 48MP main, 48MP telephoto, 48MP ultrawide | 48MP main and ultrawide, 12MP telephoto |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth, f/1.9 | 18MP Center Stage selfie (f/1.9) |
| Video Recording | 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Cinematic mode, Action Mode, Spatial video, Wind noise reduction, Audio mix | 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Cinematic mode, Action Mode, Spatial video, Wind noise reduction, Audio mix |
| Biometric Security | Face ID | Face ID |
| Control options | Action button, Camera Control button | Action button, Camera Control button |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| LTE | 5G | 5G |
| Battery Life | 27 hours (video playback) | 33 hours (video playback) |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | Yes, with MagSafe (charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher) | Yes, with MagSafe (charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher)</ Comments In Channel   Download from Google Play  Download from App Store  United States00:00 00:00 x   iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: Key differences compared |