If you care about a modern and future-proof smartphone, the choice is simple — iPhone 17. It brings the biggest changes: a smooth 120 Hz ProMotion display, a new 24 MP selfie camera, faster charging (up to 35 W wired and 25 W wireless) and a slightly larger battery of 3692 mAh, which together translates to convenience and longer device longevity. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 remains a very good choice for those looking to save money while still getting a powerful smartphone with a solid 12 MP camera and a classic 60 Hz display.
And tonight, there will be an Apple Event “Awe Dropping”, during which the iPhone 17 will debut. The premiere starts on September 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (7:00 PM in Poland), and the live stream can be watched on the Apple website, in the Apple TV app, or on the official YouTube channel.
Comparison Table: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17
| Feature | iPhone 16 | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ OLED, 60 Hz | 6.3″ OLED, 120 Hz ProMotion |
| Processor | Apple A18 | Apple A19 |
| RAM | 6–8 GB | 8 GB |
| Main Camera | 48 MP + 12 MP ultra-wide | 48 MP + 12 MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 12 MP | 24 MP |
| Battery | ~3560 mAh | ~3690 mAh |
| Wired Charging | up to ~25 W | up to 35 W |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe 15 W | MagSafe/Qi2 25 W |
| System | iOS 25 (upgrade to iOS 26) | iOS 26 (Apple Intelligence expanded) |
Design and Display
Appearance and Ergonomics
- iPhone 16: Apple opted for a proven design with an aluminum frame and glass back. The phone is solid, but has quite noticeable bezels around the display, and the overall look is practically unchanged from its predecessor. Dynamic Island remains the center of interaction, but in the base model, we won’t find any additional visual changes.
- iPhone 17: the design has been slightly refreshed. The bezels are even thinner, allowing the smartphone to offer a larger display (about 6.3 inches instead of 6.1) while maintaining similar dimensions. Dynamic Island has been retained, but according to leaks, it will be better integrated with the iOS 26 interface. The phone looks more modern and sleeker, which will be especially noticeable when directly compared to the iPhone 16.
Display and Smoothness
- iPhone 16: OLED display with a diagonal of 6.1″ and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. It still offers good color quality and high brightness, but the smoothness of animations lags behind the competition — even cheaper phones in 2025 often offer 90–120 Hz.
- iPhone 17: a huge qualitative leap, as Apple introduces ProMotion 120 Hz technology for the first time in the base model. This makes scrolling, switching apps, and gaming much more comfortable. This is one of the main reasons why users of the iPhone 16 may consider upgrading.
Performance and Software
Processor and RAM
- iPhone 16: the A18 chip, efficient and energy-saving, handles any application or game without issues. Supported by 6–8 GB of RAM, which is sufficient for multitasking.
- iPhone 17: the new A19 chip made with an improved manufacturing process. Besides better performance, it also provides greater energy efficiency and stronger support for AI tasks. This means that the iPhone 17 will maintain smoothness in daily use for a longer time and gain an advantage “for the future.”
iOS and Apple Intelligence
- Both phones run on iOS 26, but the difference lies in the details:
- iPhone 16 will handle basic functions of Apple Intelligence (e.g., text summaries, simple graphic generation).
- iPhone 17 thanks to A19 will gain access to more advanced features: intelligent photo and video editing, even better real-time translations, and a new “Liquid Glass” interface.
Cameras
Rear Setup
- iPhone 16: the configuration consists of a main 48 MP sensor and a 12 MP ultra-wide. It’s a solid setup, offering great daytime photos and good quality at night.
- iPhone 17: the camera setup remains the same on paper, but Apple improves the image processing algorithms. We can expect more natural colors, better stabilization in videos, and slightly brighter night photos.
Front Camera
- iPhone 16: 12 MP, sufficient for selfies and video calls, but compared to the competition in 2025, this was already considered a modest parameter.
- iPhone 17: doubles the resolution to 24 MP. The result? Clearly sharper selfies, better portrait mode performance, and video quality at a level that content creators and those frequently using FaceTime or Zoom will appreciate.
Battery and Charging — Latest Leak
Data from the Chinese Regulator
Well-known leaker ShrimpApplePro revealed documents from the Chinese telecommunications regulatory office, to which Apple submitted the iPhone 17 series. They indicate:
- iPhone 16: battery 3561 mAh,
- iPhone 17: battery 3692 mAh.
This is an increase of 131 mAh (~3.7%). It may seem small, but combined with the more energy-efficient A19 chip, the difference in real usage time may be more noticeable than the numbers suggest.
Charging Speed
- iPhone 16: maximum of about 25 W wired and 15 W via MagSafe.
- iPhone 17: up to 35 W wired and 25 W wireless (Qi2/MagSafe).
In practice, this means significantly shorter charging times, especially when using more powerful chargers. The 25 W wireless charging is also a significant step forward — we will charge the phone faster in the car, on the desk, or by the bed.
Who is the iPhone 16 for, and who is the iPhone 17 for?
The iPhone 16 will be better for:
- people who want a cheaper iPhone with still top performance,
- users of older models (12/13),
- those who do not mind a 60 Hz display and a standard selfie camera.
👉 In this case, good protection is enough – check out, for example, cases for iPhone 16 or tempered glass for iPhone 16 to keep your phone serving you as long as possible.
The iPhone 17 will be better for:
- people expecting a smooth 120 Hz display,
- users who take a lot of selfies and video calls (24 MP),
- those who want faster charging and longer software support,
- people thinking about a future-proof phone with better AI integration.
👉 If you plan to purchase this model, think about protection right away – for example, cases for iPhone 17, tempered glass for iPhone 17 or camera glass for iPhone 17. This way, your new smartphone will maintain its perfect appearance from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the iPhone 17 have a much better battery than the iPhone 16?
No. The capacity has only increased by about 131 mAh (3561 → 3692 mAh). This gives about a 3.7% difference, but thanks to the more energy-efficient A19 processor and faster charging, the iPhone 17 realistically lasts a bit longer and charges faster.
Does the iPhone 17 support a 120 Hz display?
Yes. This is one of the biggest novelties in the base model — the 120 Hz ProMotion display comes to the iPhone 17 for the first time. The iPhone 16 only had 60 Hz.
Is the iPhone 16 still worth buying in 2025?
Yes. It is still a very powerful phone with the A18 chip, good cameras, and support for iOS 26. After the iPhone 17 premiere, it can be found at a lower price, making it an attractive option for those looking to save.
What is the difference in cameras between the iPhone 16 and 17?
The rear camera setup is very similar (48 MP main + 12 MP ultra-wide). The biggest change concerns the front camera — from 12 MP in the iPhone 16 to 24 MP in the iPhone 17, which improves selfies and video calls.
Does the iPhone 17 charge faster than the iPhone 16?
Yes. The iPhone 16 supports wired charging up to about 25 W and MagSafe 15 W. The iPhone 17 has 35 W wired and 25 W wireless (Qi2/MagSafe), which means shorter charging times.
Does the iPhone 17 have better support for artificial intelligence (Apple Intelligence)?
Yes. The iPhone 16 supports basic Apple Intelligence functions, while the iPhone 17, thanks to the A19 chip and greater AI power, unlocks a fuller set of options, such as advanced summaries, graphic editing, or intelligent real-time translations.
Is it worth upgrading from the iPhone 16 to the 17?
It depends. If you have an iPhone 16 and are satisfied, the change is not necessary. But if you miss the smoothness of the display, a better selfie camera, and faster charging, the iPhone 17 will be an attractive upgrade.
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