The iPhone 16 Plus is the better fit if a larger screen is your priority: its display measures 6.7 inches, compared with 6.3 inches on the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 is one generation newer, adds a 120Hz ProMotion display, uses the A19 chip, starts with twice the storage, and includes a Center Stage front camera. There is no reliable current price difference to quote from the launch prices available: they are from different countries and years.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17: Specs comparison
| Specification | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | Announced September 9, 2024; available starting September 20, 2024. | Announced September 9, 2025; available starting September 19, 2025. |
| Display | 6.7-inch OLED, 2796 × 1290 pixels at 460 ppi. Apple technical specifications | 6.3-inch OLED with ProMotion. Apple’s 2025 announcement |
| Chip | A18 | A19 |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB | 256GB or 512GB |
| Rear cameras | 48MP Fusion main camera with an optical-quality 2× option; Ultra Wide camera supports macro photography. | 48MP Dual Fusion system, including a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera. |
| Front camera | Not stated in the cited comparison sources. | Center Stage front-camera system. |
| Apple battery specification | No matched 16 Plus figure is cited here. | Up to 30 hours of video playback, or up to 27 hours of streamed video playback. Apple technical specifications |
The practical trade-off is straightforward: choose the 16 Plus for more screen area, or the 17 for newer display and camera features and more storage at the entry level. The 6.7-inch figure is measured diagonally; the larger screen also means a physically larger phone to handle.
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Which display is better for you?
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus for screen size
Its 6.7-inch OLED is the larger choice for reading, watching video, and viewing content without moving to a Pro model. Apple lists its resolution as 2796 by 1290 pixels at 460 pixels per inch. Apple’s iPhone 16 Plus specifications
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Choose the iPhone 17 for ProMotion
The iPhone 17’s 6.3-inch display is smaller, but it supports ProMotion, Apple’s higher-refresh-rate display technology. That makes the 17 the more feature-rich display choice, while the 16 Plus remains the better match for buyers who value a bigger viewing area over compact handling.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Storage: the iPhone 17 starts at 256GB
The iPhone 16 Plus is offered in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB configurations; the iPhone 17 starts at 256GB and is also available in 512GB. This matters if you keep many photos, videos, games, or downloaded files on the phone: the 17’s base configuration provides twice the nominal storage of the 16 Plus base model. Compare the same capacity when checking offers, since a low price for a 128GB 16 Plus is not directly equivalent to a 256GB iPhone 17.
Camera differences
iPhone 16 Plus: macro-capable Ultra Wide
The 16 Plus has a 48MP Fusion main camera with an optical-quality 2× option, plus an Ultra Wide camera that supports macro photography. That gives it a useful close-up capability for photographing small subjects.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
iPhone 17: upgraded rear system and Center Stage front camera
Apple specifies a 48MP Dual Fusion rear-camera system, including a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, and a Center Stage front-camera system for the iPhone 17. These are specification differences, not evidence by themselves that every photo will be better in every situation. Apple’s launch announcement describes its front camera as “our best front camera yet”; that is Apple’s marketing claim, not an independent comparative test. Apple Newsroom UK, September 9, 2025
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Apple rates the iPhone 17 for up to 30 hours of video playback and up to 27 hours of streamed video playback. These are Apple’s stated maximums, not results from an independent test against the 16 Plus. The cited specifications do not provide a matched iPhone 16 Plus battery figure, so they do not establish which lasts longer in comparable real-world use.
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
For charging, Apple says the iPhone 17 supports fast charging with separately available adapters. The iPhone 16 Plus box includes a USB-C charge cable but not a power adapter. Check the box contents and charging requirements for the specific regional model before buying an adapter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price difference: launch prices are not a current comparison
Apple’s iPhone 16 Plus launch price was $899 in the United States in 2024; Apple’s iPhone 17 launch price was £799 in the United Kingdom in 2025. Those historical prices use different currencies, countries, and launch dates, so subtracting them or presenting them as a direct price comparison would be misleading. Apple’s 2024 U.S. announcement Apple’s 2025 U.K. announcement
Rank #4
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
To work out which is the better value where you live, compare current offers using the same storage capacity and condition. Also check whether the phone is carrier-locked, whether a displayed price depends on trade-in credits, how tax is handled, and what warranty applies. Current local prices and stock vary; the historical launch figures above do not establish today’s market price.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
Which one should you buy?
- Pick the iPhone 16 Plus if a 6.7-inch display is your deciding factor and you are comfortable with its A18 chip and 128GB base configuration.
- Pick the iPhone 17 if you prefer the newer A19 generation, ProMotion, a Center Stage front camera, or 256GB as the starting storage option.
- Compare offers before deciding on value. Check the same storage, condition, seller type, carrier status, trade-in terms, taxes, and warranty rather than relying on launch prices from different regions.
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.
