Apple
Apple iPhone 16
Best for: Lower entry price, smaller screen
Maker's list price £799 · source
Check price at Apple 3 more stores belowfirst productApple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 17Smartphones compared: specs, who each suits, and where to buy
Updated 15 October 2026 · Specs from Apple's official pages
Pick the iPhone 16 if you want Apple's cheapest current 6.1-inch flagship and 128GB is enough; pick the iPhone 17 if you'll use the 120Hz screen, longer battery and double the base storage.
Apple
Apple iPhone 17
Best for: Smoother screen, longer battery
Maker's list price £899 · source
Check price at Apple 3 more stores belowsecond productStore links may earn us a commission. It never changes your price or the order stores appear in.
Specs side by side
Only the specs that matter for this decision, read from each manufacturer's spec page.
SpecApple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 17
Display6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion up to 120Hz, Always-On
ChipA18A19
Rear cameras48MP Fusion Main + 12MP Ultra Wide48MP Fusion Main + 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide
Front camera12MP TrueDepth18MP Center Stage
Base storage128GB256GB
Video playbackUp to 22 hoursUp to 30 hours
Wireless chargingMagSafe up to 25W (30W adapter); Qi2 up to 25WMagSafe up to 25W (30W adapter); Qi2 up to 25W
ButtonsAction button + Camera ControlAction button + Camera Control
Sources: Apple iPhone 16 · Apple iPhone 17
Where to buy
Stores that sell each one. Prices move daily, so each button opens the store's own page.
StoreiPhone 16iPhone 17
Store links may earn us a commission. It never changes your price or the order stores appear in.
Strengths and trade-offs
Apple iPhone 16
- £100 less than the iPhone 17 at Apple's UK prices
- Has the Action button and Camera Control, like the iPhone 17
- 48MP main camera and A18 chip are still current-generation hardware
- Base model has 128GB, half the iPhone 17's starting storage
- Apple quotes up to 22 hours of video playback against 30 on the iPhone 17
Apple iPhone 17
- 6.3-inch ProMotion display up to 120Hz with Always-On
- Starts at 256GB storage
- 48MP Ultra Wide and 18MP Center Stage front camera
- £100 more than the iPhone 16 at Apple's UK prices
- Slightly bigger screen won't suit everyone who wants a compact phone
How to choose
The questions that decide it, in the order most people should ask them.
Work out how much storage you need
The iPhone 16 starts at 128GB and the iPhone 17 at 256GB. If you shoot a lot of video or keep big apps, compare the iPhone 16 at 256GB against the base iPhone 17 rather than base against base.
Decide whether the screen matters
The iPhone 17 adds ProMotion up to 120Hz and an Always-On display. You notice it most when scrolling and gaming. If your current phone is 60Hz and that doesn't bother you, the iPhone 16 does the job.
Check battery needs
Apple rates the iPhone 17 for up to 30 hours of video playback against 22 hours for the iPhone 16. Heavy users who struggle to reach bedtime will feel that gap.
Think about how long you'll keep it
The iPhone 17 is a year newer, with the A19 chip. If you keep phones for four or five years, the newer model should stay current for longer.
Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 17 — common questions
Is the iPhone 17 bigger than the iPhone 16?
Yes, slightly. The iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch display and the iPhone 16 a 6.1-inch one, so the iPhone 17 is the better pick for a bigger screen in a standard-size phone.
Do both phones have Camera Control and the Action button?
Yes. Apple lists both the Action button and Camera Control on the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17, so neither phone misses out on these controls.
Is the iPhone 16 still sold by Apple in the UK?
Yes. As of October 2026, Apple UK still lists the iPhone 16 alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air, with a starting price of £799 for 128GB.
Which has the better selfie camera?
The iPhone 17. It has an 18MP Center Stage front camera, while the iPhone 16 has a 12MP TrueDepth camera. Center Stage lets you take landscape selfies while holding the phone upright.
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