iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XS
Shop iPhone
iPhone 16 Pro
Starting at
£737.50£999.00 new
iPhone XS
Starting at
£138.35£559.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone XS?
iPhone 16 Pro vs XS comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone XS starts at £138.35, £599.15 less than the iPhone 16 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro is the newer model, released in 2024.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS.
- The iPhone 16 Pro has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPhone 16 Pro has a bigger battery: 3582 mAh vs 2658 mAh.
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XS specs
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone XS offer different features suited to different users. The iPhone 16 Pro has a larger, higher resolution screen and more RAM, supporting more apps running smoothly. It also has a bigger battery and newer chipset for stronger performance, plus 5G mobile network compatibility. The iPhone XS has a smaller screen and fewer storage options, but it is lighter and more compact. Camera resolutions are higher on the iPhone 16 Pro, which suits those wanting more detail in photos. Buyers looking for a device with enhanced performance and screen quality will prefer the iPhone 16 Pro, while those wanting a smaller phone with good core features may find the iPhone XS fits well.
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XS price
Colour
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XS battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design. Other factors like battery size and phone dimensions differ between the two.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 Pro has a battery capacity of 3582 mAh, which offers longer use between charges for those who need extended battery life. The iPhone XS has a 2658 mAh battery, suitable for everyday use but with less capacity to support heavy or extended activity.
Software Updates
This ensures ongoing support regardless of which model you choose.
Physical Size and Weight
The iPhone 16 Pro measures 149.6 mm in height, 71.5 mm in width, and 8.3 mm in depth, weighing 199 g. The iPhone XS is smaller and lighter at 143.6 mm height, 70.9 mm width, 7.7 mm depth, and 177 g weight. The XS suits those preferring a more compact and lighter phone.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XS performance
Performance depends on chipset power, memory, and storage options. These determine how smoothly apps run and how much space is available for files and apps.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 16 Pro features the Apple A18 Pro chipset paired with 8 GB RAM, supporting demanding apps and multitasking. The iPhone XS has the Apple A12 Bionic chipset with 4 GB RAM, which handles everyday apps smoothly but with fewer resources for extensive multitasking.
Storage Options
The iPhone 16 Pro offers a wide range of storage choices from 128GB up to 1TB, suitable for users needing ample space for media and apps. The iPhone XS comes with 64GB or 256GB storage options, fitting users with moderate storage needs.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XS screen
Screen quality affects how much you see and how sharp and vibrant images appear. Screen size, resolution, and type all contribute to the viewing experience.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 16 Pro has a larger 6.3 inch screen with a resolution of 1206 x 2622, providing a roomier display and sharper image detail for video or browsing. The iPhone XS has a 5.8 inch screen at 1125 x 2436 resolution, offering a compact display suited to users who prefer a smaller phone.
Screen Type
The iPhone 16 Pro uses LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED technology for potentially smoother refresh rates and excellent colour accuracy. The iPhone XS uses Super Retina OLED, offering vivid colours and deep blacks. Both screens provide high-quality viewing but the 16 Pro suits those who want the latest screen tech.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XS camera
Audiovisual features focus on camera quality, impacting photo and video detail from both front and main cameras.
Main Camera Resolution
The iPhone 16 Pro has a 48 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail and allowing higher resolution photos. The iPhone XS has a 12 megapixel main camera, which produces good images suitable for everyday photography.
Front Camera Resolution
The iPhone 16 Pro offers a 12 megapixel front camera, helpful for clearer selfies and video calls. The iPhone XS front camera is 7 megapixels, which is adequate for casual use.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XS size and design
Other differences include network compatibility, connectors, and SIM options, which affect connectivity and daily convenience.
Mobile Network
The iPhone 16 Pro supports 5G mobile networks, suited to users who want faster internet speeds where 5G coverage is available. The iPhone XS works on 4G networks, fitting those with standard mobile internet needs.
Connector Type
The iPhone XS has a Lightning connector, compatible with many existing Apple accessories.
SIM Configuration
Both phones support Physical SIM plus eSIM, allowing flexibility in mobile plans and dual SIM use.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone XS: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3582 mAh vs 2658 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 5.8 inch)
Buy the iPhone XS if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £138.35, £599.15 less than the iPhone 16 Pro
- you want a lighter build (177 g vs 199 g)
What our customers say
Customers who own the iPhone 16 Pro often describe it as looking like new with excellent battery health around 94 to 95 percent. They appreciate the pristine condition of the screen, back, and camera parts. Many mention smooth performance, with some noting the phone feels almost new even when bought refurbished. Positive comments also highlight the larger screen and better camera quality, with one customer noting the camera is way better than on their old phone. There are occasional reports of battery or heating issues but these seem uncommon.
Owners of the iPhone XS report the phone feeling like new and running smoothly, with battery health often noted as good and lasting a decent amount of time. The compact size is appreciated, and the camera receives positive remarks for its quality. Some customers mention minor marks or small issues with the front camera or screen, but overall satisfaction with the device condition and performance is common.
The iPhone 16 Pro suits those wanting a larger, sharper display and higher camera resolution with strong performance. The iPhone XS fits buyers who prefer a smaller, lighter phone with solid core features and good battery life.
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone XS FAQs
iPhone 16 Pro vs XS comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS. The iPhone 16 Pro has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone XS is cheaper refurbished, from £138.35 compared with £737.50 for the iPhone 16 Pro.
The iPhone 16 Pro has a bigger battery: 3582 mAh vs 2658 mAh.
The iPhone 16 Pro has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 16 Pro is still supported and can run iOS 27. Updates for the iPhone XS ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
The iPhone 16 Pro adds more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger battery (3582 mAh vs 2658 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 5.8 inch). Refurbished, it costs £599.15 more (from £737.50 vs £138.35).
Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone XS in 64GB and 256GB.
