Compare iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: specs, performance, camera, battery, design, and pricing. Determine if upgrading is worth it in 2025.
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| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.3 inches | 6.3 inches |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2622 x 1206 pixels | 2622 x 1206 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz ProMotion |
| Brightness | ≈ 3,000 nits peak | 2,000 nits peak |
Deciding between iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro? The iPhone 17 Pro introduces the new A19 Pro chip, upgraded camera system with improved AI processing, larger battery, and refined design. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro remains a powerful flagship with excellent performance and features. This comparison helps you decide if the upgrade is worth it based on performance, camera, battery life, and pricing.
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| Peak Brightness Improvement |
| Higher peak brightness |
| Baseline |
| Processor | A19 Pro (3nm) | A18 Pro (3nm) |
| Performance Improvement | ~10–15% faster CPU | Baseline |
| GPU Performance | ~15–20% faster GPU | Baseline |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB |
| RAM Advantage | +4GB more memory | Baseline |
| Storage Options | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Main Camera | 48MP Fusion f/1.78 | 48MP Fusion f/1.78 |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP ultra-wide | 12MP ultra-wide |
| Ultra-Wide Improvement | Upgraded from 12MP to 48MP | Baseline |
| Telephoto Camera | 48MP telephoto | 12MP 5x telephoto |
| Zoom Capability | Advanced hybrid optical/digital | 5x optical zoom |
| Front Camera | 18MP f/1.9 | 12MP f/1.9 |
| AI Camera Features | Enhanced Apple Intelligence photography | Standard computational photography |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 120fps ProRes | 4K up to 60fps ProRes |
| Battery Capacity | ≈ 4,450 mAh (estimated) | 3,274 mAh |
| Battery Improvement | ~35% larger battery | Baseline |
| Battery Life | Up to 2 days typical use | Up to 1–1.5 days typical use |
| Charging Speed | 27W wired / 15W MagSafe | 27W wired / 15W MagSafe |
| Dimensions | 150 x 71.9 x 8.25mm (estimated) | 150 x 71.9 x 8.25mm |
| Weight | ≈ 206g (estimated) | 187g |
| Build Material | Titanium + Ceramic Shield 2 | Titanium + Ceramic Shield |
| Durability | Improved Ceramic Shield 2 | Ceramic Shield |
| Water Resistance | IP69 | IP68 |
| Operating System | iOS 19 | iOS 18 (upgradeable) |
| Apple Intelligence | Full Apple Intelligence suite | Apple Intelligence (baseline) |
| On-Device Processing | Optimized with A19 Pro | Supported |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Base Model Price | US$1,099 (256GB) | US$999 (256GB at launch) |
| Price Difference | +US$100 | Baseline |
| Mid-Range Price | US$1,199 (512GB) | US$1,099 (512GB) |
| Premium Price | US$1,299 (1TB) | US$1,199 (1TB) |
| Trade-in Value | Strong trade-in value | Strong trade-in value |
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Better performance | A19 Pro delivers ~15% faster real-world tasks | A18 Pro still excellent |
| Upgraded camera sensors | 48MP ultra-wide & telephoto | 12MP ultra-wide & telephoto |
| Much larger battery | ~35% larger capacity | Good but smaller battery |
| Enhanced AI features | Advanced Apple Intelligence features | Baseline AI features |
| Improved water resistance | IP69 | IP68 |
| More RAM | 12GB for better multitasking | 8GB RAM |
| Future-proofed | Better long-term software support | Still excellent but older chip |
| iOS 19 optimization | Optimized for new features | Needs OS update |
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| More expensive | +US$100 higher than 16 Pro | Lower price |
| Incremental design changes | Looks similar to previous model | Same design language |
| Camera gains may feel subtle | Biggest changes in ultra-wide | Strong camera system still |
| Upgrade not essential | Best for heavy users only | Still performs extremely well |
| Storage pricing unchanged | Same cost structure | No real benefit in storage tiers |
| Most AI features shared | Not all exclusives matter to users | Shares many AI features |
| Heavier device | Slightly heavier than 16 Pro | Lighter at 187g |
| Battery benefits vary | Heavy users notice more gains | Daily use still fine |