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Apple made the iPhone 17 available in September 2025, around one year after the 16 dropped. These drops come like clockwork, so it didn’t surprise anyone. Sometimes, it seems like Apple sticks to the schedule rather than waiting to release something innovative.
You can buy the iPhone 17 today, but should you? The iPhone 16 is similar and has dropped in price, so it might be a better investment. Also, since it’s been around longer, there are more cases and screen protectors to choose from, so you’re not stuck with the expensive options.
An Overview of the iPhone 16 Series
All 16 series phones have Super Retina XDR displays, are IP68 rated, support wifi 7 and are Bluetooth 5.3 compatible. They may not be the latest iPhone models anymore, but they are still sleek and powerful.
iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 improved upon earlier generations with an improved resolution, screen size and camera quality. It’s the first iPhone to have a Dynamic Island, which provides context-specific information like music volume, map directions, timers and alerts. It also has an Action button that you can set to control specific functions, like the camera or flashlight.
iPhone 16 Plus
Aside from the Action button, camera control button and Dynamic Island, the iPhone 16 was very similar to the 15. The Plus is more of the same, but is significantly larger, boasting a 6.7-inch screen. It also has an additional 12 megapixel (MP) ultra-wide back camera.
You can play videos for up to 27 hours before the battery dies, which is 7 hours longer than the iPhone 15 was capable of. Also, you can recharge half your battery within 30 minutes via USB-C, MagSafe, Qi or Qi2 wireless charging.
iPhone 16 Pro
Now that you can you buy the iPhone 17, the Pro and Pro Max are no longer available on Apple’s website. Apple always discontinues the Pro models as soon as it announces the new iPhone. Fortunately, you can still get one via Amazon’s certified renewed store.
The Pro’s video playback and charging speed are the same as the Plus. It’s also slightly smaller, but has a titanium frame, higher resoultion, better camera quality and larger storage capacity. It even has a studio-quality four-microphone array.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
The Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display with a 2,868 x 1,320 resolution. It weighs almost 8 ounces, making it one of the largest, heaviest iPhones. Its 6-core central processing unit (CPU) and 6-core graphics processing unit (GPU) ensure it can compute quickly.
Like with most Pro Max models, the cameras are the star of the show. This one has front, back, ultra-wide and telephoto cameras ranging from 12 to 48 MP. It has Dolby Vision and can record in 4K at 120 frames per second (fps). It has 0.5x, 1x, 2x and 5x optical zoom. Like the Pro, it also has a four-microphone array.
iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e starts at $599, $100 less than the base model. It comes in just two colors and only has two cameras. It’s also missing the Dynamic Island and camera control button. Unlike the other models, it can only reach 1,200 nits at peak brightness, not 2,000 nits. Still, it has the A18 chip with a 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU, so it’s performance is great.
An Overview of the iPhone 17 Series
You can buy the iPhone 17 today. All 17 series phones have Super Retina XDR displays, support wifi 7, are Bluetooth 6 compatible, reach up to 3,000 nits at peak brightness and have IP68 ratings. The other tech specs differ depending on the model.
iPhone 17
The base model kept the Dynamic Island feature. It also has ProMotion technology and an always-on display, which only the Pro and Pro Max in the 16 series. The 18 MP front camera is the best the Apple’s ever offered. The main, ultra-wide and telephoto back cameras are 48 MP. They can record in 4K at 120 fps and have an 8x optical zoom — the best of any iPhone.
Apple upgraded the classic Ceramic Shield with this series, which already has four times better drop resistance than previous iPhones’ protective glass coatings. The designers behind Gorilla Glass developed Ceramic Shield 2 for three times better scratch resistance.
iPhone 17 Pro
The iPhone 17 Pro is slightly larger than the base model, at 5.91 by 2.83 inches, and has a slightly better resolution. Its aluminum unibody and all-around Ceramic Shield provide four times better crack resistance. Its performance is also better, thanks to the A19 Pro chip and 6-core GPU with neural accelerators.
iPhone 17 Pro Max
At 6.43 by 3.07 inches, the Pro Max is the largest model in the 17 series. It weighs a whopping 9.22 ounces, but has an impressively large 6.9-inch display with a 2868 x 1320 resolution. Like the Pro, it has an aluminum unibody and Ceramic Shield 2 coating. Its chip and camera tech are also the same.
The main difference is it supports up to 39 hours of video playback, can charge up to 50% in 20 minutes and can support up to 2 TB of storage capacity. Deionized water is sealed within the internal vapor chamber to move heat away from the A19 Pro chip, improving performance.
iPhone Air
The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever, providing the power of the Pro without the bulk. At $999, it is $200 more than the base model. The titanium frame, Ceramic Shield coating and A19 Pro chip offer superior performance and durability. The catch is you get one 48 MP back camera instead of three. You can still record in 4K at 60 fps.
How the iPhone 16 and 17 Compare
The 16 and 17 base models may look similar, but have key display, camera quality and performance differences.
What’s in the Box?
Since 2020, Apple hasn’t shipped phones with headphones or a charging block. You’ll only get the iPhone and a USB-C charging cable. You can get the charging blocks on Apple’s website, but you’ll save if you get them elsewhere. There’s no 3.5 mm jack in the iPhone 16 or 17, so you’ll need a pair of USB-C or Bluetooth headphones.
Size and Weight
The base models are almost the same size and weight, with the 17 being slightly taller and heavier. Of course, the Plus, Pro and Pro Max models are all significantly larger. The iPhone Air is the exception to the trend — it’s the thinnest phone Apple’s ever made.
Technical Specs
Although Apple made the iPhone 17 available in September 2025, just one year after the 16 released, it represents a huge technological leap. It went from an A18 chip to an A19 chip. The base model has a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU with neural accelerators.
Storage Capacity
The iPhone 16 has a 128 GB storage capacity. If you want 256 GB, you’ll need to get the Plus. The budget 16e model is a good middle-of-the-road option, ranging from 128 to 512 GB. The Pro and Pro Max reach up to 512 GB. The iPhone 17 starts at 512 GB, which is a huge leap. Despite its small size, the air offers up to 1 TB. You can get double that with the Pro Max.
Camera Quality
The 17 series has 48 MP cameras across the board, while the 16 only has the one. A 48 MP camera will capture higher resolution photos and videos, but the files take up more space. A 48 MP RAW file — which only the 16 Pro Max, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max can capture — is best for exporting, editing and grading photos and videos.
Power and Battery
Both series have USB-C charging. Whether the phone supports MagSafe, Qi and Qi2 depends on the model. The 16 can play up to 22 hours of video before dying, which is barely better than the 15. The 17’s video playback can reach up to 30 hours. The 17 also charges significantly faster. Moreover, the Pro models support USB 3 for 20 times faster data transfers.
Comparing Key Features at a Glance
You can buy the iPhone 17 now, but you should compare models first. Is the iPhone 16 a better investment? Take a look at the tech specs to understand which one better suits your needs. Aside from these criteria, you should consider factors like eSIM availability and color selection.
| iPhone Model | iPhone 16 | iPhone 17 |
| Starting Price | $699 as of 2025 | $799 as of 2025 |
| Frame and Front | Aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield 2 front |
| Size and Weight | 5.81 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide and weighs 6 ounces | 5.89 inches tall, 2.81 inches wide and weighs 6.24 ounces |
| Display Resolution | 2556 x 1179 at 460 ppi | 2622 x 1206 at 460 ppi |
| Camera Quality | 12MP front, 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide | 18MP front, 48MP back , 48MP ultra-wide |
| Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x and 2x optical zoom | 0.5x, 1x and 2x optical zoom |
| Video Playback | Up to 22 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Charging Speed | Up to 50% in 30 minutes | Up to 50% in 20 minutes |
| Storage Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB to 512 GB |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | Yes |
The 16 and 17 Series “Budget” Models
It might be time to upgrade now that the the iPhone 17 is available. The 16e is a great option if you’re on a budget but like Apple’s ecosystem. Although the Air costs slightly more than the 17, it offers Pro-level features at a relatively affordable price.
| iPhone Model | iPhone 16e | iPhone Air |
| Starting Price | $599 as of 2025 | $999 as of 2025 |
| Frame and Front | Aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield front | Titanium frame, Ceramic Shield 2 front and Ceramic Shield back |
| Size and Weight | 5.78 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide and weighs 5.88 ounces | 6.15 inches tall, 2.94 inches wide and weighs 5.82 ounces |
| Display Resolution | 2532 x 1170 at 460 ppi | 2736 x 1260 at 460 ppi |
| Camera Quality | 12MP front and 48MP back | 18MP front and 48MP back |
| Optical Zoom | 1x and 2x optical zoom | 1x and 2x optical zoom |
| Video Playback | Up to 26 hours | Up to 27 hours (40 with the iPhone Air MagSafe battery) |
| Charging Speed | Up ot 50% in 30 minutes | Up to 50% in 30 minutes |
| Storage Capacity | 128 to 512 GB | 256 GB to 1 TB |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | Yes |
Should You Wait for a Sale to Buy One?
You can buy the iPhone 17 today for $799, which is what the 16 cost at release. Apple rarely runs sales on iPhones. Now that the 16 has dropped by $100, it might be a good investment. The 16e is even more affordable, but may not have all the bells and whistles.
Consider storage capacity before you buy. Typically, Apple increases the price by $100 for every jump in space, which usually ranges from 128 to 512 GB. The Pro, Pro Max and Air models are the exception because they’re considered premium. The 17 Pro Max jumps in price by $200 to $300 for each increase in storage space.
Whether you want to save or are looking to buy a discontinued iPhone 16 Pro, Amazon sells renewed iPhones for well under the base prices. You can get a like-new phone for a great deal. The Amazon Renewed program has qualified suppliers inspect, test, refurbish and clean pre-owned phones to return them to their original factory condition.
All Amazon Renewed purchases are covered by a satisfaction guarantee and a 365-day return period. Some items get a free 11-month limited warranty for defects. If there’s a problem, the company will offer a repair, replacement or refund.
Deciding Between the iPhone 16 and 17
The 17 series may seem like more of the same, but the unassuming frame hides cutting-edge technologies. You could buy the iPhone 17 for yourself or as a gift. This sleek, powerful phone is perfect for the holiday season, especially if you find a great Black Friday deal at Best Buy or on Amazon. Whatever you decide, you’re bound to enjoy your purchase.
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