The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The iPhone 16 is the smaller, lighter phone (6.1 inches, 170g). The Xiaomi 17T is bigger and heavier (6.59 inches, 200g) with a 120Hz AMOLED screen, a 5x telephoto camera and a 6,500mAh battery. The price gap depends on where you live. The only Xiaomi price available is UK-specific, so this article doesn’t claim a single universal difference. It shows how to work out your own.
Specs side by side
Apple’s figures come from its official iPhone 16 technical specifications page. The Xiaomi 17T figures are as reported in TechRadar’s 2026 review. Official Xiaomi specification pages were not available to check, so treat the Xiaomi column as review-reported and confirm it for your market.
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| Attribute | Apple iPhone 16 | Xiaomi 17T (per TechRadar) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 2556 × 1179, 460 ppi | 6.59-inch AMOLED, 2756 × 1268, 120Hz |
| Chip | Apple A18 | MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra |
| RAM | Not listed on the Apple page used | 12GB |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main (with 2x optical-quality zoom option), 12MP ultra-wide | 50MP main, 50MP 5x telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide |
| Battery | Up to 22 hours video playback (Apple claim) | 6,500mAh |
| Wired charging | 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W+ adapter and USB-C cable (Apple claim; adapter sold separately) | 67W; no comparable charge-time test reported |
| Height / weight | 147.6mm / 170g | 157.6mm / 200g |
| Storage | 128GB on the Apple page; Apple’s UK support listing also shows 256GB and 512GB | 256GB, 512GB |
What the differences mean in use
Size and weight
The Xiaomi is 10mm taller and 30g heavier. If one-handed use and pocketability matter most, the iPhone 16 has the clear edge. If you want more screen for video and reading, the 17T’s 6.59-inch panel is the bigger canvas.
Display
The Xiaomi’s panel is larger, higher in pixel count and reported at 120Hz, which gives smoother scrolling. Apple’s page for the iPhone 16 gives resolution and pixel density but not a refresh rate in the figures used here, so check Apple’s page for the current figure before comparing smoothness.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Cameras
On paper the Xiaomi has the more distinctive hardware: a dedicated 5x telephoto lens. The iPhone relies on a 48MP main camera with a 2x zoom option and a 12MP ultra-wide. Megapixel counts and lens reach don’t determine image quality. Processing, video and low-light results do, and a spec sheet can’t settle that. Look at independent camera tests before ranking them.
Battery and charging
Apple quotes video playback hours (up to 22), while Xiaomi’s figure is battery capacity (6,500mAh) in the review. These are different measures, so they don’t show which phone lasts longer. The 67W rating suggests faster wired charging on the Xiaomi, but no charge-time test was reported. Apple’s own claim is 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W-or-higher adapter, or with a 30W-or-higher adapter and a MagSafe charger. Both accessories are sold separately.
Rank #2
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Price difference: how to compare it
TechRadar reported UK prices for the Xiaomi 17T of £649 for 256GB and £699 for 512GB, and UK availability at the time of its review. Those are dated, single-market figures. A current same-market iPhone 16 price wasn’t available, so no gap is stated here. Subtracting a UK Xiaomi price from a US, Indian or euro-zone iPhone price would be meaningless.
- Pick your country and a single seller type (manufacturer store, carrier or retailer).
- Match storage: the 17T starts at 256GB, so compare it with a 256GB iPhone 16, not the 128GB base model.
- Note whether each listing is new, refurbished or carrier-locked, and what warranty it carries.
- Add accessories you’d need to buy. Apple’s fast-charging claim assumes a separately sold adapter and cable.
- Subtract the totals on the same day.
Because the 17T’s lowest storage tier is 256GB, matching storage is the step that most changes the comparison.
Rank #3
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Which should you choose?
- iPhone 16: you want a compact, lighter phone, you prefer iOS or already use Apple devices, and you value the A18 and Apple’s published hardware documentation.
- Xiaomi 17T: you want a larger 120Hz screen, 5x telephoto hardware, a larger battery and 12GB RAM, and you’re comfortable with Android. Confirm specifications and availability for your market first, since the details here are review-reported and the price is UK-only.
Neither phone wins on specs alone. Platform preference, size and your local price decide it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
