iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: a first look

Quick takeaways on comparing the iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16

​​✨​ The iPhone 17 series is a real step up for Apple, compared to the merely incremental changes we've seen between previous generations. The iPhone 16s are still excellent modern smartphones, especially the Pro Max. However, they're now outperformed in a few ways. The iPhone 17s has a more powerful chipset for faster performance and significantly longer battery life. The top model has vast storage capacities, and all have upgraded camera suites. The powerful new Telephoto camera is a star performer. Aluminium replaces titanium, which is complemented by a vapour chamber to enhance cooling – a great new feature that we're sure will be much appreciated by iPhone lovers.

Why you can trust our comparison 

Because we're one of the largest online marketplaces for refurbished electronics, we get to examine and review every iPhone model. Our experts work with third-party refurbishers who completely overhaul and restore them, and their feedback gives us deep insights into every aspect – hardware, software, design, componentry. Each device is exhaustively tested against original benchmarks. Here's more about our quality standards.

We see it all, which allows us to offer informed opinions and objectively compare brands and models openly and honestly. Our only aim is to help you understand the features, benefits, and pros and cons of each device, so that you can make up your mind on which is best for you.

"Back Market is a great store where you can buy phones. They are honest about the fees, with no hidden costs. The prices are affordable. I buy all my phones and devices from Back Market." - Ruth J.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 base models: more speed, improved display

Despite officially being one generation old, the iPhone 16 base model is still an excellent smartphone option, especially with the reduced prices expected as the 17 series hits the shelves. Its processor is very fast, able to handle Apple's advanced technology. Its long battery life and sharp, multi-featured cameras remain a cut above most. It also supports Apple Intelligence, and you can expect several more years of support.

The iPhone 17 base model is one of the first major upgrades we've seen from Apple in a while. It has a faster processor and more internal storage. The new ProMotion display makes the screen brighter, and a new adaptive refresh rate has allowed Apple to include the Always-On display function found on the higher models. This is the first time a base model iPhone has had this ability. One of its other big drawcards is the introduction of an ultra-wide 48MP high-resolution camera, another big upgrade over the 16 series. The battery life is also significantly longer.

​​✨​ The iPhone 17 base model has above-class features, but the iPhone 16 remains a solid choice.

Main specifications: some long-awaited improvements

iPhone 16 base model

• Screen size: 6.1 in

• Display: Super Retina XDR

• Resolution: 2556x1179-pixels at 460 ppi

• Screen ProMotion: No

• Always-On display: No

• Casing: Aluminium

• Weight: 170g

• Dust and water resistance: IP68 rated

• Chip: Apple A18

• Storage: 128 GB

• Main camera: 48MP Fusion

• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

• Battery life: Up to 22 hours video playback / Up to 18 hours video streaming

• Dual SIM: Yes

• Apple Intelligence: Yes

• Colours: Ultramarine / Teal / Pink / White / Black

iPhone 17 base model

• Screen size: 6.3 in

• Display: Super Retina XDR

• Resolution: 2556x1179-pixels at 460 ppi

• Screen ProMotion: Yes

• Always-On display: Yes

• Casing: Aluminium

• Weight: 177g

• Dust and water resistance: IP68 rated

• Chip: Apple A19

• Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB

• Main camera: 48MP Dual Fusion with ultra-wide sensor

• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6

• Battery life: Up to 30 hours video playback / Up to 27 hours video streaming

• Dual SIM: Yes

• Apple Intelligence: Yes

• Colours: Lavender / Sage / Mist Blue / White / Black

​​✨​ The iPhone 17 has a faster chip, improved display, more storage and a longer battery life.

Pros and cons

✨​ Choose the iPhone 17 if you want faster performance with a vastly improved screen display.

Benefits and features: a new landmark for a base model iPhone

The iPhone 16 base model still benefits from its advanced features, and its lower price is an attractive proposition compared to the iPhone 17. Its chip is still highly capable, although it does suffer from limited internal storage. Its camera is also extremely capable. The display is now outdated, however – surpassed by the superior 17 series. But overall, it remains every bit as useful, as long as you can do without features like an Always-On display. That said, many people will want to upgrade to get the iPhone 17's improved camera system.

iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: changes inside and out

The iPhone 17 Pro introduces some welcome improvements over its predecessor. It has a sleeker design with thinner bezels for a more comfortable grip. It also has a brand-new modernised camera housing, whereas the iPhone 16 still has the traditional Apple square camera housing. There's not much difference in size and weight, and the screen resolutions are the same. The iPhone 17 Pro also boasts a more powerful chip, with Apple claiming that it runs 40% faster than the one in the iPhone 16.

​​✨​ The new iPhone 17 Pro camera housing is a noticeable improvement.

Main specifications: the next generation has arrived

iPhone 16 Pro

• Screen size: 6.3 in

• Display: Super Retina XDR

• Resolution: 2622x1206-pixels at 460 ppi

• Screen ProMotion: Yes

• Always-On display: Yes

• Casing: Titanium

• Weight: 199g

• Dust and water resistance: IP68 rated

• Chip: Apple A18 Pro

• Storage: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB

• Main camera: 48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra-Wide, 12MP Telephoto

• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

• Battery life: Up to 27 hours video playback / Up to 22 hours video streaming

• Dual SIM: Yes

• Apple Intelligence: Yes

• Colours: Desert Titanium / Natural Titanium / White Titanium / Black Titanium

iPhone 17 Pro

• Screen size: 6.3 in

• Display: Super Retina XDR

• Resolution: 2622x1206-pixels at 460 ppi

• Screen ProMotion: Yes

• Always-On display: Yes

• Casing: Aluminium

• Weight: 177g

• Dust and water resistance: IP68 rated

• Chip: Apple A19 Pro

• Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB

• Main camera: 48MP Fusion, 48MP Fusion Ultra-Wide, 48MP Fusion Telephoto

• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6

• Battery life: Up to 31 hours video playback / Up to 28 hours video streaming

• Dual SIM: Yes

• Apple Intelligence: Yes

• Colours: Cosmic Orange / Deep Blue / Silver

​​✨​ The iPhone 17 Pro introduces a new world of camera technology.

Pros and cons

✨​ The iPhone 16 Pro still holds up, but the iPhone 17 Pro benefits from more advanced technology.

Benefits and features: more power, less robust casing

The iPhone 16 Pro is an exceptionally capable smartphone that will still be up to speed for a good few years. It also retains a titanium casing, which is a stronger material than the aluminium used in the iPhone 17 Pro. It has the same screen size and resolution, and there's not much difference when it comes to overall size and weight. And while the new series has a faster chip, in reality the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip still has performance to burn, so in most scenarios you won't notice a huge difference. It also has just as much storage, up to 1 TB. As one Reddit reviewer commented:

"So glad I bought a 16 Pro and have nothing to be jealous about for the next year." 

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: a brighter, faster redesign

The first thing you'll notice about the iPhone 17 Pro Max is that it looks very different to its predecessor. The body has been ergonomically redesigned. It's slightly thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro Max and although the screen is the same size, it has a new anti-reflective coating. It also has a new back camera strip that's more streamlined than the iPhone 16 Pro Max's conventional camera island. It also has a ceramic shield to protect against bumps and drops. However, as with the iPhone 17 Pro, it dispenses with the titanium casing of the 16 series in favour of aluminium. Although this isn't as resilient, it'sdesigned to dissipate heat more effectively using a vapour chamber – another new development. Both the models have a larger screen than other models, sharing the same display specs.

​​✨​ The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a distinctive new design.

Main specifications: few differences, but they're significant

iPhone 16 Pro Max

• Screen size: 6.9 in

• Display: Super Retina XDR

• Resolution: 2868x1320-pixels at 460 ppi

• Screen ProMotion: Yes

• Always-On display: Yes

• Casing: Titanium

• Weight: 227g

• Dust and water resistance: IP68 rated

• Chip: Apple A18 Pro

• Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB

• Main camera: 48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra-Wide, 12MP Telephoto

• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

• Battery life: Up to 33 hours video playback / Up to 29 hours video streaming

• Dual SIM: Yes

• Apple Intelligence: Yes

• Colours: Desert Titanium / Natural Titanium / White Titanium / Black Titanium

iPhone 17 Pro Max

• Screen size: 6.9 in

• Display: Super Retina XDR

• Resolution: 2868x1320 -pixels at 460 ppi

• Screen ProMotion: Yes

• Always-On display: Yes

• Casing: Aluminium

• Weight: 231g

• Dust and water resistance: IP68 rated

• Chip: Apple A19 Pro

• Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB

• Main camera: 48MP Fusion, 48MP Fusion Ultra-Wide, 48MP Fusion Telephoto

• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6

• Battery life: Up to 37 hours video playback / Up to 33 hours video streaming

• Dual SIM: Yes

• Apple Intelligence: Yes

• Colours: Cosmic Orange / Deep Blue / Silver

​​✨​ The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers exceptional battery life and double the storage.

Pros and cons

✨​ The iPhone 17 Pro Max takes the already powerful iPhone 16 Pro Max a notch up.

Benefits and features: more power under the hood

We'd still happily buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Never mind that there's a new generation out – this smartphone will still stand its ground for several more years. Most of its features are on par with the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Although a few differences are pretty significant, they're not deal-breakers at all. You get the same screen size, display and resolution, and virtually the same camera suite. The only really noticeable differences are that the A18 Pro chip is less powerful than the A19 Pro, and the newer model has a lot more storage, plus incredible battery life.

Shopping tips for iPhones

The traditional way of getting your hands on a late model iPhone at a more affordable price is to wait for a new model to be released. With the iPhone 17's arrival you can look for discounts on iPhone 16s at retail stores as they clear their shelves for the new stock that people have been waiting for. Of course there's also the other option: waiting for one of the big annual sales like Cyber Monday.

But there's a smarter way to get an iPhone with all the latest bells and whistles – opt for a refurbished model. There's no compromise on quality and performance and you'll pay way less than you would for practically the same thing as a new phone. Browse our complete iPhone selection to see what's on offer.

Benefits of buying refurbished smartphones

There are two big advantages to choosing a refurbished iPhone over a new one. The first is that you can save up to 50% compared to the price of a new one – without sacrificing quality and capabilities. Every refurbished iPhone has been completely restored, inside and out. Worn or damaged components have been replaced, and we only sell them if they passed rigorous tests to ensure that they perform up to the original new benchmarks. We're so confident of this that we give you an automatic 1-year warranty with every device you purchase.

In the words of a recent customer:  

"I was a little bit skeptical about getting a refurbished phone, but when I received it, I was so surprised about the quality of the phone. It looks and works like a brand-new phone."

- Rose S. 

Second, refurbished devices reduce electronic waste, helping to combat environmental damage. We are loud and proud supporters of ending the culture of disposable tech and creating a more sustainable market ecosystem. We've attained B Corp status for our dedication to this, and our commitment to social responsibility, accountability and transparency. By choosing refurbished over new you'll be making your own contribution to helping our planet.

Trade in your old devices for cash

Save even more on a refurbished iPhone by trading in any device that you're no longer using. It's quick and easy. Give us the specs in a short form and we'll immediately generate a quote from one of the third-party refurbishers. If you accept, ship your device to us on our dime, and you'll have your payment within 5 working days.

Save money on refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 17

*Back Market prices taken at the date of publication – these are subject to change.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: final thoughts

Given the choice of an iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16, we really think that this time Apple has come with a true next-generation upgrade. While the differences aren't comprehensive, the new chip performs faster, and the premium models have so much storage space you won't know what to do with it – especially if you already use Apple Cloud. The extensive battery life is another thing that's worth writing home about. And when it comes to photography, the iPhone 17 is head and shoulders above its predecessor.

While everyone’s chasing the newest model, those in the know are doing something smarter. The iPhone 16 Pro Max still delivers flagship performance, and when you get it refurbished, you’re not just saving cash – you’re saving a device from landfill. It’s like scoring last season’s luxury drop… at outlet prices.