Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Apple iPhone 17e

Our Verdict: The iPhone 16 Plus takes the lead for lower current deal pricing and the larger screen, which gives it the stronger headline appeal. It backs that up with 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 4674mAh battery and 3,723 active deals, while the iPhone 17e counters with 169g weight. Current active deals start around £485 for the iPhone 16 Plus, versus about £550 for the iPhone 17e. Your choice should come down to priorities: the iPhone 16 Plus for lower current deal pricing and the larger screen, or the iPhone 17e for a noticeably lighter body.

The 17e is the cheaper one to own: around £656 over a typical contract, £140 less than the 16 Plus.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
3.9
11 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.1"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
2796 x 1290 1170 x 2532
Pixels Per Inch
460 457
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A19 (3 nm)
Battery
4,674 mAh 4,005 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/6
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight
199 grams 169 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) £25.99/mo (£0.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£508.00 £545.57

Prices updated 16 July 2026

Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
3.9
11 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.1"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2796 x 1290 1170 x 2532
Pixels Per Inch 460 457
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A19 (3 nm)
Battery 4,674 mAh 4,005 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/6
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight 199 grams 169 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
£25.99/mo
£0.00 upfront
SIM-free £508.00 £545.57
Prices updated 16 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus

24 Months

128GB

White

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£32.79 per month, £9 upfront.

Apple iPhone 17e
Apple iPhone 17e

24 Months

256GB

Soft Pink

25GB

Data

Exclusive Deal Details

£25.99 per month, with FREE phone.

Deal not available directly from Carphone Warehouse's website

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper on contract at £656.16 over the life of the deal from £25.99 per month with £0.00 upfront.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 17e's 6.1", both screens are similarly sharp at around 460 pixels per inch, and both use Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone 17e 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 17e?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £508.00.

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

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

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 17e is the more portable of the two: it's 30g lighter at 169 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm.

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

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 17e run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.