Phone Comparisons: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Forget incremental upgrades; we’re diving into the Apple ecosystem to pit the future against the recent past: the iPhone 17 Pro versus the iPhone 16 Pro. Spotting the difference between Apple’s annual iterations can feel like searching for a single grain of sand on a beach. But fear not! This year, a key design element – which we’ll dissect shortly – makes identifying the newer model surprisingly straightforward.

Beyond the specs, a battle of titans is about to begin. Prepare for a deep dive comparing design aesthetics, screen brilliance, raw processing power, battery endurance, camera prowess, and sonic fidelity. Ready to crown a champion? Let’s begin.

Table of Contents

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Specs
Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Design
Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Display
Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Performance
Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Battery
Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Cameras
Audio

Specs

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

$1,099.99 from Apple

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

$999 at

View Specifications

Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Design

At first glance, these smartphones could be twins. Face forward, you’re met with nearly identical flat displays, each punctuated by the now-familiar pill-shaped Dynamic Island. The curve of the corners? Mirror images. The bezels? Razor-thin and consistently uniform. The right side houses the power/lock button, twinned with a dedicated camera control. Shift your gaze left, and you’ll find the volume controls standing guard alongside the customizable Action key. Spot the difference? Good luck.

Flip them, and the distinction leaps out. The iPhone 17 Pro boasts a prominent camera bar housing its three lenses. The iPhone 16 Pro, while also sporting a trio of cameras in a similar arrangement, forgoes the bar, opting instead for a camera island. Despite this difference, both phones share a sleek, flat backplate.

Forget titanium versus aluminum – it’s déjà vu all over again. The iPhone 17 Pro and its predecessor, the 16 Pro, are virtually twins. Same dazzling display, dimensions so similar you’d need calipers (and a magnifying glass) to tell them apart – we’re talking differences smaller than a grain of sand. Okay, the 17 Promightbe 0.5mm chunkier and feel a featherweight 7 grams heavier. But let’s be real, both are sleek, slippery customers demanding a case. At least you can dunk either in a pool without worry; IP68 certification has your back. In short: squint, and you’ve seen both.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Display

Behold the iPhone 17 Pro, where visuals ignite on a breathtaking 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR display. Prepare for immersive clarity on its perfectly flat expanse, dynamically adapting from a fluid 120Hz to a power-sipping 1Hz. Dive into Dolby Vision and HDR10 realms, basking in an astounding 3,000 nits of peak brightness. An edge-to-edge canvas boasting a 90% screen-to-body ratio showcases a razor-sharp 2622 x 1206 resolution. The 19.5:9 aspect ratio crafts cinematic moments in the palm of your hand. Fortified by Ceramic Shield 2 and an advanced anti-reflective coating, this display doesn’t just show it captivates.

Prepare to feast your eyes on the iPhone 16 Pro’s stunning 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display. Brace yourself for visuals that practically leap off the flat surface, dynamically adjusting with an adaptive refresh rate from a buttery-smooth 1Hz to a lightning-fast 120Hz. HDR10 and Dolby Vision compatibility unlock a world of vibrant color and detail, all illuminated by a blazing 2,000 nits of peak brightness. This nearly bezel-less display boasts a 90% screen-to-body ratio and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, presenting a crisp 2622 x 1206 resolution that’s shielded by next-generation (2024) Ceramic Shield glass, ready to face the daily grind.

While both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro boast vibrant displays with excellent viewing angles, and offer robust protection alongside sharp visuals, the iPhone 17 Pro pulls ahead in a few key areas. Imagine trying to read your phone under the blazing sun. The iPhone 17 Pro’s screen becomes noticeably brighter, cutting through the glare. Plus, its anti-reflective coating, though not quite as groundbreaking as Gorilla Armor or its successor, offers a tangible improvement in outdoor visibility compared to the iPhone 16 Pro.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Performance

Imagine the raw power of the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro. At its heart lies the brand-new Apple A19 Pro, a beast of a chip forged using cutting-edge 3nm technology. This isn’t just an incremental upgrade; it’s a generational leap. Boasting a 6-core GPU and a whopping 12GB of RAM paired with lightning-fast NVMe storage, the A19 Pro chews through demanding tasks with ease. Compare that to last year’s iPhone 16 Pro, powered by the still-capable A18 Pro. While also a 3nm chip with a 6-core GPU, the A18 Pro and its 8GB of RAM simply can’t match the sheer speed and efficiency of its successor. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to expand the storage on either device.

Forget performance anxiety. These phones are powerhouses. Daily tasks? They devour them. Multitasking mayhem? They laugh in its face. Honestly, splitting hairs over performance differences is pointless. Both deliver a seamless experience, making any upgrade purely about bells and whistles, not raw speed.

Gaming on the iPhone 17 Pro? Expect a cooler experience, thanks to that aluminum armor. It even outpaces its older sibling in heat dissipation. But hold on! The iPhone 16 Pro is no slouch. It tackles the same graphic-intensive titles, delivering high-octane gameplay without breaking a sweat. Unless you’re obsessed with keeping things icy, the 16 Pro brings the heat where it counts.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Battery

The iPhone 17 Pro boasts a tale of two batteries, a secret weapon deployed based on where you buy it. In the US and other eSIM-embracing countries, you’ll find a hefty 4,252mAh power cell. But if you opt for the nano SIM version, you’re looking at a slightly smaller 3,998mAh. Compare that to the iPhone 16 Pro’s singular 3,582mAh offering, and it’s clear: whichever model you choose, the iPhone 17 Pro packs a seriously upgraded battery.

The iPhone 17 Pro laughs in the face of the charger. Thanks to a collaborative effort between a new, power-sipping chip and a revamped battery, Apple has delivered a noticeable jump in longevity. While the iPhone 16 Pro already boasted respectable battery performance, the 17 Pro simply outclasses it. We’re talking potential two-day usage for some – a true rarity in the modern smartphone world. And yes, this isn’t just theoretical; we put the eSIM model through its paces, and the results were, frankly, stunning.

The iPhone 17 Pro: Faster Charging, Bigger Battery, No Charger Included.

Despite packing a larger battery, the iPhone 17 Pro leaves its predecessor in the dust when it comes to charging speed. While the wattage dances dynamically during the process, it peaks at a blistering 29W – a level the iPhone 16 Pro could only dream of. This translates to a full charge in roughly an hour and 20 minutes, shaving a full 20 minutes off the older model’s charging time. Wireless charging enthusiasts will be pleased to know both phones support 25W MagSafe charging, along with 4.5W reverse wired charging. The catch? You’ll need to supply your own power brick, as neither phone includes one in the box.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Cameras

Forget megapixels, focus on magic. The iPhone 17 Pro reimagines mobile photography with a trio of 48MP lenses, each a portal to stunning visuals. The main camera, boasting a 1/1.28-inch sensor, captures light like never before, revealing detail you never knew existed. Then, step back and embrace the world with the 48MP ultrawide lens, its expansive 120-degree field of view transforming landscapes into immersive masterpieces. Finally, bring distant subjects into breathtaking clarity with the 48MP periscope telephoto lens, wielding a powerful 4x optical zoom to shrink the distance and magnify the moment.

The iPhone 16 Pro: a tale of two cameras. While its main and ultrawide lenses mirror the might of the 17 Pro, a closer look at the telephoto reveals a different story. Nestled within its sleek frame lies a 12MP periscope telephoto camera, sporting a 1/3.06-inch sensor and offering a respectable 5x optical zoom. It’s a capable performer, but the 17 Pro’s telephoto lens steals the show.

While both models sport similar camera hardware, the newer iteration unveils subtle, yet noticeable, enhancements in photo quality. Colors pop with greater vibrancy, lending a more authentic feel to your snapshots. However, the real magic unfolds when utilizing the periscope telephoto lens, particularly when the lights dim. Here, the newer model truly shines, capturing low-light scenes with remarkable clarity and detail, surpassing its predecessor in leaps and bounds.

Audio

The iPhone 16 Pro doesn’t just whisper; it roars. Its speakers pack a punch the 17 Pro can’t match. Think richer, fuller sound, and a volume cranked up just a notch higher. It’s not a seismic shift, but close your eyes, and the 16 Pro’s audio prowess is undeniable.

Ditch the dongle! Both the iPhone 17 Pro and its predecessor, the 16 Pro, have kissed the headphone jack goodbye. Plug your USB-C headphones directly into either device for wired listening. Cutting the cord? The iPhone 17 Pro leaps ahead with lightning-fast Bluetooth 6.0, while the 16 Pro still offers a solid wireless experience with Bluetooth 5.3. Choose your audio adventure!

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