Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Apple iPhone 17

Our Verdict: This is an iPhone-to-iPhone comparison, so price, size and generation are the real separators. iPhone 16 Plus has the larger display, 6.7 inches against 6.3, while iPhone 16 Plus has the larger rated battery, 4674mAh to 3692mAh, a useful capacity lead; iPhone 17 is noticeably lighter at 177g versus 199g. The price gap is small enough that ecosystem and hardware priorities should carry more weight. The newer model is the cleaner long-term pick, but the older iPhone still works if value is the priority.

Total contract costs are about level, around £796 for either phone.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
4.5
12 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.3"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
2796 x 1290 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch
460 458
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A19 Pro
Battery
4,674 mAh 3,692 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm
Weight
199 grams 177 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£32.79/mo (£9.00 upfront) £29.99/mo (£59.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£482.00 £599.00

Prices updated 16 July 2026

Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
4.5
12 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.3"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2796 x 1290 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch 460 458
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A19 Pro
Battery 4,674 mAh 3,692 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm
Weight 199 grams 177 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £32.79/mo
£9.00 upfront
£29.99/mo
£59.00 upfront
SIM-free £482.00 £599.00
Prices updated 16 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus

24 Months

128GB

Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£32.79 per month, £9 upfront.

Apple iPhone 17
Apple iPhone 17

24 Months

256GB

White

Refurbished

50GB

Data

£29.99 per month, £59 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper on contract at £795.96 over the life of the deal from £32.79 per month with £9.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 17's 6.3", both screens are similarly sharp at around 460 pixels per inch, and the Apple iPhone 16 Plus uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Apple iPhone 17 has a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 17 has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £482.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone 17 comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Apple iPhone 17 use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Apple iPhone 17 uses the Apple A19 Pro.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

The Apple iPhone 17 is the more portable of the two: it's 22g lighter at 177 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Apple iPhone 17?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Apple iPhone 17 run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.