iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17
Shop iPhone
iPhone 16 Plus
Starting at
£588.00£799.00 new
iPhone 17
Starting at
£713.34£799.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17?
iPhone 16 Plus vs 17 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Plus starts at £588, £125.34 less than the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Refresh rate
- Chipset: Apple A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17.
- The iPhone 16 Plus has a bigger battery: 4674 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
- The iPhone 16 Plus has a bigger screen: 6.7 inch vs 6.3 inch.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 specs
The iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 differ mainly in screen size and quality, battery capacity, chipset, and camera detail. The iPhone 16 Plus has a larger 6.7 inch screen with a 60 Hz refresh rate and a higher battery capacity, making it suitable for those who prefer a bigger display and longer battery life. The iPhone 17 offers a smaller 6.3 inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate for smoother motion, a newer Apple A19 chipset, and a higher resolution front camera, making it a good choice for users who value speed, sharper selfies, and a more compact phone. Storage options vary slightly, with the iPhone 16 Plus including a 128GB choice.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 price
Colour
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 Plus has a larger 4674 mAh battery compared to the iPhone 17's 3692 mAh. This means the 16 Plus can generally provide longer battery life between charges, which benefits users who rely on their phone for extended periods without access to power.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 performance
Performance differences lie in chipset generation and storage options. Both devices have the same RAM capacity, which supports smooth everyday use.
Chipset
The iPhone 16 Plus uses the Apple A18 chipset built with a 3 nm process, while the iPhone 17 features the Apple A19 chipset. The newer chipset in the iPhone 17 is suited for users who want the most recent processing technology for tasks like gaming or demanding apps.
Memory and Storage
Both phones come with 8 GB of RAM, which keeps everyday apps running smoothly. The iPhone 16 Plus offers more storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, while the iPhone 17 is available in 256GB and 512GB only. Buyers needing a smaller capacity might prefer the iPhone 16 Plus.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 screen
Screen quality varies in size, refresh rate, resolution, and display type. These differences affect visual experience and handling comfort.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 16 Plus has a larger 6.7 inch screen with a resolution of 1290 by 2796 pixels, offering more space for watching video or reading. The iPhone 17 has a smaller 6.3 inch screen with a resolution of 2622 by 1206 pixels, which means a different screen shape and pixel arrangement that suits users looking for a more compact phone.
Refresh Rate
The iPhone 17 features a 120 Hz refresh rate, which provides smoother motion during scrolling and animations. The iPhone 16 Plus has a 60 Hz refresh rate, suitable for everyday use but less fluid in fast-moving visuals.
Screen Type
The iPhone 16 Plus uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, known for vibrant colours and deep blacks. The iPhone 17 has a Super Retina XDR screen.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 camera
Audiovisual features include front and main cameras. Both phones share the same main camera capabilities, but the front camera differs.
Front Camera
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 12 megapixel front camera, suitable for standard selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 steps up to an 18 megapixel front camera, capturing more detail and better suited for users who prioritise selfie quality.
Main Camera
Both phones have a 48 megapixel main camera, offering similar photo and video capabilities for everyday use and creative photography.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 size and design
Miscellaneous specs cover physical dimensions, weight, connectors, and network features that affect comfort and compatibility.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 16 Plus measures 160.9 mm in height, 77.8 mm in width, and weighs 199 g, making it larger and heavier. The iPhone 17 is more compact at 149.6 mm tall and 71.5 mm wide, weighing 177 g. This suits users seeking a lighter, easier-to-handle phone.
Carrier and Network
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks, offering broad compatibility with carriers and fast mobile internet.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 17: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16 Plus if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £588, £125.34 less than the iPhone 17
- you want a bigger battery (4674 mAh vs 3692 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.3 inch)
Buy the iPhone 17 if
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (177 g vs 199 g)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 16 Plus often praise its battery life and overall quality. Many say the phone looks and feels like new, with excellent condition and no visible scratches. Some note a larger screen size suits them well, and battery life stands out compared to previous phones. A few customers mention needing to visit an Apple Store for software updates or minor setup steps, but overall satisfaction with the device itself is high.
For the iPhone 17, customers highlight the phone's like-new condition with full battery health and minimal signs of use. Users appreciate the compact size and report smooth performance. Some mention the ease of setup after adjusting regional settings. Many express surprise at the value, noting it feels comparable to a new phone for less cost. The model suits those upgrading from older phones who want a newer generation with a smaller form factor.
Both devices appeal to buyers looking for high-quality refurbished iPhones. The 16 Plus suits users who prefer a larger screen and longer battery life, while the iPhone 17 fits those wanting a newer chipset, higher front camera resolution, and a lighter, smaller phone.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 FAQs
iPhone 16 Plus vs 17 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Apple A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17. The iPhone 16 Plus has a bigger battery: 4674 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
The iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper refurbished, from £588 compared with £713.34 for the iPhone 17.
The iPhone 16 Plus has a bigger battery: 4674 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 16 Plus is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 17 is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17 adds a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz), a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels) and a lighter build (177 g vs 199 g). Refurbished, it costs £125.34 more (from £713.34 vs £588).
Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Plus comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 in 256GB and 512GB.
