Should You Upgrade from the iPhone 16 to the iPhone 17?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the iPhone 16 to the iPhone 17, 1 year apart.
Yes — the iPhone 17 is a worthwhile upgrade
The iPhone 17 is 1 year newer than the iPhone 16, and the BeastScore rises from 71.7 to 76.9. The biggest improvements: display rated 26 points higher, 131 mah bigger battery, 20w faster wired charging. Trade-offs to know: 7 g heavier.
What you gain with the iPhone 17
- +Display rated 26 points higher
- +131 mAh bigger battery
- +20W faster wired charging
- +0.2" larger screen
- +Smoother display (+60Hz refresh rate)
- +1,000 nits brighter peak display
What you give up
- −7 g heavier
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 71.7 | 76.9 | +5.2 (7%) |
| Performance score | 80 | 80 | No real change |
| Camera score | 82 | 82 | No real change |
| Battery score | 58 | 58 | No real change |
| Display score | 64 | 90 | +26 (41%) |
| Battery capacity | 3,561 mAh | 3,692 mAh | +131 mAh (4%) |
| Wired charging | 20W | 40W | +20W (100%) |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | No real change |
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.3" | +0.2" (3%) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | +60Hz (100%) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits | +1,000 nits (50%) |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP | No real change |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | No real change |
| Weight | 170 g | 177 g | +7 g (4%) |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 | No real change |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the iPhone 16 to the iPhone 17?
Yes — the iPhone 17 is a worthwhile upgrade. The iPhone 17 is 1 year newer than the iPhone 16, and the BeastScore rises from 71.7 to 76.9. The biggest improvements: display rated 26 points higher, 131 mah bigger battery, 20w faster wired charging. Trade-offs to know: 7 g heavier.
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17?
Display rated 26 points higher: 64 on the iPhone 16 vs 90 on the iPhone 17.
Does the iPhone 17 have a bigger battery than the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 17 has a 3,692 mAh battery versus 3,561 mAh on the iPhone 16 (+131 mAh (4%)).
Who should upgrade to the iPhone 17?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.