Are you thinking of buying a new phone but are confused between the iPhone 17 vs the iPhone 16? If yes, this article has the answer! Apple has finally launched the iPhone 17 during the Apple event on September 9, 2025. It’s a big deal because this time, they really launched one! Be it the ProMotion display, latest chip, new camera technology, and more! The price of the base iPhone 17 is Rs. 82,900!
If you look at the price of the iPhone 16, you will get it at Rs. 70,000! So, is the Apple iPhone 17 worth paying extra bucks? In this article, we’ll figure that out and help you make a good decision! Let’s compare the Apple iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 in terms of design, screen, camera, and more.
Also read: Change These Camera Settings On Your iPhone 16 Pro Today!
Design And Build Quality: iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16
When it comes to design, both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 look the same. They have smooth, rounded edges. But there are some changes, let’s have a look at that:
Thinner Bezels and Lighter Build:
The screen on the iPhone 17 is more edge-to-edge. This is because the bezels are thinner. It uses a titanium frame instead of aluminium. This makes it stronger and a bit lighter. The iPhone 17 is heavier because of new parts.
New Frame Design:
The iPhone 17 has a new seamless frame. It means the edge between the frame and the back is smoother. This makes it more comfortable to hold. Early reviewers are even saying that you can keep this comfortably for extended periods. The iPhone 16 has sharper edges, which can be uncomfortable for a lot of people.
Colour Options:
The iPhone 17 comes in new colours like Black, Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, and White. Apple iPhone 16 had Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, Black, and White. The iPhone 17 also has a new matte finish on the back. This is because of the new Ceramic Shield 2. It doesn’t show fingerprints as much.
Camera Button Fix:
The Apple iPhone 16 had a new Camera Control button. But people did not like the placement of this because it was prone to accidental touches. The iPhone 17 moved it a bit to make it easier to use. The functionality is the same.
Verdict: The iPhone 17 looks and feels a little better than the iPhone 16. But there is no major change in terms of design and build.
Also read: 5 Reasons To Buy The Latest Apple iPhone 16e!
Camera Details: iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16
If you love taking photos or videos, the iPhone 17 has some improvements you will like.
Back Camera:
The Apple iPhone 17 has two powerful 48MP cameras on the back. There is a primary camera and a new ultrawide camera. The iPhone 16 also has a 48MP primary camera. But the ultrawide one is only 12MP. With iPhone 17, you get much better wide shots. It is especially in low light.
Selfie Camera:
The front camera on the iPhone 17 is now 24MP. It is a big jump from the iPhone 16’s 12MP. It also comes with a feature called Centre Stage. This keeps you in the frame during video calls, like on FaceTime. Selfies and videos look more precise and more detailed now compared to the iPhone 16.
AI Smart Capture:
The Apple iPhone 17 also features a new feature called “AI Smart Capture.” It uses smart technology to adjust your photos based on the light, movement, and subject. This helps a lot with action shots or low-light images.
Verdict: The new cameras on the iPhone 17 are a big win. You get new features like Centre Stage. This might be a good reason to upgrade from the iPhone 16.
Also read: iPhone 16 Hidden Features That Will Blow Your Mind!
Display: Apple iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16
One of the biggest improvements in the iPhone 17 is its display. Apple finally added new features that used to be only in the Pro models. Let’s have a look:
120Hz ProMotion and Always-On Display:
This is the most welcome change in the iPhone 17 display. You get a 120Hz ProMotion 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. The iPhone 16 only comes with a 60Hz display. It also has an Always-On display to check your lockscreen for basic information. This feature used to be there for Pro models. Now, it’s there for the base model as well.
Brighter Screen:
The iPhone 17 gets up to 3,000 nits bright. The iPhone 16 only goes up to 2,000 nits. This makes it easier to view the screen in sunlight.
Verdict: The screen on the iPhone 17 is a big step up. It is perfect if you like watching videos, playing games, or anything else. If display quality matters to you, this upgrade is definitely worth it!
Also read: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: The Ultimate Comparison
Performance: Apple iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16
The iPhone 17 has the powerful A19 Chip. The iPhone 16 uses the A18 Chip. Apple claims that A19 is about 20% more powerful. But is it worth the extra money? Let’s find out:
A19 Chip Vs A18 Chip
| Feature / Metric | A18 / A18 Pro (iPhone 16) | A19 / A19 Pro (iPhone 17) |
|---|---|---|
| Process node | 3 nm (TSMC N3E) | 3 nm enhanced (TSMC N3P) |
| CPU Performance | Baseline; 30% faster vs A16 Bionic | 10–15% faster vs A18 |
| GPU Performance | A18: 40% faster vs A16; A18 Pro: +20% vs A17 Pro | A19: 15% faster GPU; A19 Pro: 20–25% improvement |
| Power Efficiency | Improved relative to A16 | More capable NPU (rumoured enhancements) |
| NPU | 16-core, 35 TOPS; 2× A16 Bionic | More capable NPU (rumored enhancements) |
| RAM | 8 GB (both variants), Pro adds cache | 8 GB (iPhone 17), 12 GB (Air / Pro models) |
| Release Timing | Announced Sep 9, 2024 | Expected Sep 9, 2025 for A19 series |
The A19 Chip is definitely worth spending the extra money. It is faster, uses less battery, and handles AI better. It is a solid upgrade. Both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 have 8GB of RAM.
Also Read: Apple iPhone 16 Vs iPhone 15: Expected Features And Upgrades!
Battery & Charging: Apple iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16
Battery life is super important. The iPhone 16 battery can last you almost a whole day from light to moderate usage. The iPhone 17 makes some great changes here.
Battery Life:
The iPhone 17 can play videos for up to 30 hours. It is a big jump from the iPhone 16’s 22 hours. It has a slightly bigger battery, and the new A19 chip helps save power too. This means the battery lasts longer, so you don’t have to charge it as often.
Faster Charging:
The iPhone 17 charges way faster than the iPhone 16. It supports 40W wired charging (the iPhone 16 only had 20W). For wireless charging, it goes up to 50W with Qi2.2. It is much faster than the iPhone 16’s 25W MagSafe. The iPhone 17 can provide 8 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging.
Verdict: If battery is a big deal, it only makes sense to buy the iPhone 17. There is fast charging too.
Also read: Things Missing In iPhone 16e Compared To iPhone 16! Full List Revealed!
Reasons To Go For The Apple iPhone 17
Let’s check out the reasons to go for the iPhone 17 (Apple iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16).
| Why Upgrade | What You Get with iPhone 17 |
|---|---|
| Smoother ProMotion Display | The screen feels faster and looks better with 120Hz and Always-On |
| Better Camera With Centre Stage | New 48MP wide and 24MP selfie cameras with AI that makes photos look great |
| Longer battery life | Battery lasts longer and charges faster |
| Faster and smarter | New A19 chip and smart features make everything quicker and easier |
| Using iPhone 14 or Older | Big upgrade in speed, screen, and camera if you have iPhone 14 or older |
Conclusion
In the end, I can say that if you already have an iPhone 16, it does not make sense to upgrade to the iPhone 17. The iPhone 16 still works well and has iOS 26 with Apple intelligence. But, if you are thinking of buying a new phone between the iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16, you can go for the iPhone 17.
It’s powerful, comes with a large battery, and has a good camera with Centre Stage. Let me know what you think about the latest Apple iPhone 17 launch in the comments section below. I would love to hear your thoughts.
If you’ve just bought a new phone and don’t know what to do with your old phone, then here’s your answer. Sell old mobile to Cashify and get the best price for it. If you are planning to buy a new phone, check out Cashify’s refurbished mobile phones. You can get your favourite phone at almost half price with six-month warranty, 15 days refund and free delivery.
