Wondering if the iPhone 17 is a big leap over the iPhone 16? We explore the design changes, camera upgrades, new display tech, performance differences, and whether it’s finally worth upgrading.
The iPhone 16 brought some interesting updates like the new Camera Control button, a faster A18 chip, and slight camera improvements, but those were hardly enough to satisfy users.
With outdated 60Hz displays, similar designs, and limited AI features at launch (and still), the iPhone 16 felt more like an afterthought than a revolutionary step in the right direction.
Now, all eyes are on the upcoming iPhone 17, which promises to finally bring bigger design changes, a much-needed display upgrade, and a sharper selfie camera. If you’re wondering how the iPhone 17 will stack up against the iPhone 16 — and whether it will finally deliver a big leap forward — you’re in the right place.
In this comparison, we’ll explore the key differences in design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, and software between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 based on everything we know so far.
The iPhone 16 stuck closely to Apple’s familiar design formula, with minor changes like the vertical camera layout to support Spatial Video and the addition of the Camera Control button.
The Camera Control button offered pressure and touch-sensitive shortcuts for zoom and focus, but in real-world use, it felt awkwardly placed and not essential for most users.
The iPhone 17, meanwhile, is expected to introduce a more noticeable design overhaul. A new splicing process will create a smoother transition between the frame and back glass, eliminating the harsher edges of older models for a more seamless feel in the hand.
Apple will also shrink the bezels significantly with the help of BRS (Border Reduction Structure) technology, making the screen feel even more immersive without growing the phone’s physical footprint.
As for colors, we expect the iPhone 17 to come in similar ones to the iPhone 16, although there’s a good chance we will see new ones. The iPhone 16 colors are Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine.
