iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: a real upgrade or more of the same?

By Aleksandar Anastasov

Updated: Aug 28, 2025, 7:44 AM

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Apple iPhone

Diagonally split image with one phone on each side.

Apple’s iPhone 16 brought some updates like the Camera Control button, the faster A18 chip, and modest camera tweaks. But with its outdated 60Hz display, familiar design, and limited AI features, many saw it as an iterative update at best.

The iPhone 17, however, looks to be a more meaningful step. Apple is expected to finally give the base iPhone a 120Hz ProMotion screen, slimmer bezels, and a sharper 24 MP selfie camera.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 expected differences:

iPhone 17*	iPhone 16
6.3" OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, thinner bezels	6.1" OLED, 60Hz, thicker bezels
A19 chip (3nm N3P)	A18 chip (3nm N3E)
8 GB RAM	8 GB RAM
24 MP selfie camera	12 MP selfie camera
~3,600 mAh stacked battery	3,561 mAh battery
35W wired	20W wired
25W Qi2.2 wireless	25W MagSafe wireless
New spliced seamless frame	Sharper edges

Table of Contents:

Design
Display
Performance
Camera
Battery
Specs
Summary

We might finally see 120Hz on a non-Pro iPhone

The iPhone 16 stuck closely to Apple’s familiar formula, with the main changes being a vertical dual-camera bump for Spatial Video and the new Camera Control button. While versatile, the button’s placement felt awkward, and people have been using it so little that Apple is reportedly considering tweaking or reworking it.

But the new version of the Camera Control button probably won't appear until the iPhone 18. Instead, the iPhone 17 is said to adopt a new “splicing” frame design that smooths out the transition between the frame and back, making it more comfortable in hand. We also expect to see slimmer bezels, since the display is said to be the same as on the iPhone 16 Pro.

iPhone 17*	iPhone 16
Thickness ~6.25 mm	Thickness 7.8 mm
Dimensions ~147 × 71 mm	Dimensions 147.6 × 71.6 mm
Weight ~170 g	Weight 173 g

Color options remain uncertain, but leaks suggest new purple and possibly more saturated shades compared to the pastel tones of the iPhone 16 colors.

Display Differences

The iPhone 16’s 60Hz display was already behind the curve when it launched, and Apple’s rivals have long since moved to 120Hz. That finally changes this year. The iPhone 17 will not only get ProMotion but also use Samsung’s newer M14 OLED material, promising better efficiency.

iPhone 17*	iPhone 16
Size 6.3"	Size 6.1"
Brightness 2000 nits (peak)	Brightness 2000 nits (peak)

Always-On Display could come to the standard model, but this remains speculative, as it won't have the same variable refresh rate as the Pro iPhones, which can go as low as just 1Hz. Face ID continues to be the only biometric option, and we don't expect a smaller Dynamic Island this year.

Performance and Software

A19 chip brings refinements, but AI remains a question mark

The iPhone 17 will move to the A19, still on a 3nm process but with refinements for efficiency and AI workloads. RAM is expected to stay at 8 GB, though rumors of a 12 GB option linger. The base model also misses out on the vapor chamber cooling rumored for the new iPhone 17 Pro, meaning it will probably be worse at sustaining high performance for long periods of time.

iPhone 17*	iPhone 16
Chip A19	Chip A18
Process 3nm N3P	Process 3nm N3E
RAM, Storage 8/128GB 8/256GB 8/512GB LPDDR5X RAM NVMe storage	RAM, Storage 8/128GB 8/256GB 8/512GB LPDDR5X RAM NVMe storage

The iPhone 17 will launch with iOS 26, which introduces the flashy new “Liquid Glass” design language and long-overdue quality-of-life features like Call Screening, Live Translate, and smarter Messages. The iPhone 16 will also get the update and those features with it on the same day as the iPhone 17's launch.

Camera

New image sensor for the selfie camera

The rear cameras remain virtually unchanged, with the iPhone 17 expected to reuse the same main and ultra-wide sensors. That means rear photo quality will likely be very close to the iPhone 16’s.

iPhone 17*	iPhone 16
Main 48 MP, f/1.6 26 mm 1/1.56" sensor size	Main 48 MP, f/1.6 26 mm 1/1.56" sensor size
Ultrawide 12 MP, f/2.2 13 mm Unknown sensor size	Ultrawide 12 MP, f/2.2 13 mm Unknown sensor size
Telephoto None	Telephoto None

The real upgrade is up front: the new 24 MP selfie camera. This should deliver sharper video calls, more detailed selfies, and better streaming — addressing long-standing complaints about soft iPhone selfies.

Battery Life and Charging

Slightly larger battery, better thermals, and easier repairability

With the iPhone 17, Apple is making some small but meaningful changes. Battery capacity is expected to increase slightly to around 3,600 mAh, and Apple is said to introduce a new stacked battery design. This would allow for improved thermal performance and energy density, which could lead to more consistent battery life under heavy use.

Also, the A19 chip is expected to be more power efficient, so we might see small improvements to the battery life.

iPhone 17*	iPhone 16
Battery size ~3,600 mAh	Battery size 3,561 mAh
Charging speeds 35W wired 25W Qi2.2 USB-C 2.0	Charging speeds 25W wired 25W MagSafe wireless charging USB-C 2.0

Wired charging is said to increase to 35W, while wireless charging remains capped at 25W, though now with Qi2.2 certification for compatibility with third-party accessories.

Specs Comparison

Here's an overview of the expected iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 specs:

iPhone 17*	iPhone 16
Size, weight ~147 × 71 mm, ~6.25 mm thick, ~170 g	Size, weight 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm, 173 g
Screen 6.3" OLED 120Hz	Screen 6.1" OLED 60Hz
Processor A19 3nm	Processor A18 3nm
Versions: 8/128 GB 8/256 GB 8/512 GB LPDDRX5	Versions: 8/128 GB 8/256 GB 8/512 GB LPDDRX5
Cameras: 48 MP main 12 MP ultra 24 MP front	Cameras: 48 MP main 12 MP ultra 12 MP front
Battery: ~3,600 mAh	Battery: 3,561 mAh
Charging: USB-C 35W wired 25W Qi2.2 wireless	Charging: USB-C 20W wired 25W MagSafe wireless

Summary

The iPhone 17 is shaping up to be the upgrade the iPhone 16 should have been. The jump to ProMotion, slimmer bezels, and a sharper selfie camera finally modernize the standard iPhone. Performance and battery life are expected to improve slightly, though Apple’s refusal to move past 8 GB RAM doesn't bode well for AI support.

The iPhone 16 remains a capable phone, but with its 60Hz display and older selfie camera, it feels severely outdated. The higher refresh rate alone will make the iPhone 17 feel like a completely different device if you are coming from an older base iPhone, even the iPhone 16. Besides that, you will also have much better wired charging and hopefully slightly better battery life.

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Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.

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