They are closely matched: Apple iPhone 17 Pro scores 81/100 and Apple iPhone 16 Plus scores 80/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 point. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro leads Apple iPhone 16 Plus overall by 5 points (83 vs 78 out of 100).
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro stands out on Memory RAM capacity: 12 GB, Storage capacity: 256 GB, Display Refresh rate: 120 Hz.
- Best value: Apple iPhone 16 Plus (from $899) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro leads overall
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
83
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
78
Why it stands out
- Memory RAM capacity: 12 GB
- Storage capacity: 256 GB
- Display Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Head-to-head verdictAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jul 2026.
While both the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Apple iPhone 17 Pro earn identical overall scores of 79, they target different user priorities. The iPhone 17 Pro leads in pure capability, offering a superior 120Hz ProMotion display, a faster A19 Pro processor with vapor cooling, and a robust triple 48MP rear camera setup. Conversely, the iPhone 16 Plus appeals to those who want a larger screen experience, utilizing a 6.7-inch display paired with an A18 chip and highly dependable battery life. The 17 Pro is the premium choice for mobile photographers and gamers, while the 16 Plus is ideal for users seeking maximum screen size without the pro price.
- Display
- The iPhone 17 Pro features a faster 120Hz ProMotion display with advanced scratch resistance, whereas the iPhone 16 Plus offers a larger 6.7-inch panel but is capped at a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
- Rear Camera System
- The iPhone 17 Pro excels with three 48MP rear sensors that provide up to 8x optical-quality zoom and ProRes RAW video capture, while the iPhone 16 Plus uses a dual-camera system without a dedicated optical telephoto lens.
- Performance and Cooling
- Driven by the newer A19 Pro chip alongside an integrated vapor chamber thermal design, the iPhone 17 Pro delivers higher sustained speeds than the A18-powered iPhone 16 Plus.
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jun 2026.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
The iPhone 17 Pro is designed to be Apple's most advanced smartphone, targeting power users and professionals who require exceptional performance and camera capabilities. It is equipped with the A19 Pro chip and an immersive display intended for high-workload activities.
Best for professional photographyBest for high-end content creationBest for power users
Pros
- Boasts a heat-forged aluminum unibody structure, maximizing durability while maintaining a lightweight design.
- Features the A19 Pro chip, which uses vapor cooling to sustain high performance even during intensive processing tasks.
- The camera system is highly advanced, featuring 48MP rear lenses and an enhanced 'Center Stage' capability for improved video framing.
- Includes essential pro features like a customizable Action button and optimized Super Retina XDR displays with ProMotion up to 120Hz.
Cons
- The inclusion of advanced chips and specialized thermal systems suggests potentially high cost expectations.
- Some key hardware features, such as the exact battery capacity or specific RAM measurements, are not detailed beyond general performance claims.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is an option for users who want a larger iPhone size without purchasing the highest-tier Pro Max model. It features upgrades such as a new chipset, an Ultra wide camera, and added control buttons.
Best for users wanting larger phone sizeBest for those avoiding Pro Max tier spending
Pros
- Large display: Features a 6.7-in OLED Super Retina XDR display while being larger than models paired with a vanilla iPhone
- Camera system includes dual setups: It has both a wide and ultra-wide camera.
- Video recording capability is high quality, supporting 4K at 60 frames per second on both front and back cameras.
- The device features the Action button and the new Camera Control key.
Cons
- The display utilizes a 60 Hz refresh rate, which some users may find sluggish compared to modern high-refresh-rate Android screens.
- Some sources report ongoing questions regarding whether the device is worth buying if it was out for a period of time.
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Apple iPhone 17 Pro1,600,000
Apple iPhone 16 Plus1,640,000
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
Battery capacity
Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life
Apple iPhone 17 Pro3,998 mAh
Apple iPhone 16 Plus4,674 mAh
Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.
Physical Comparison
Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D
Apple iPhone 17 ProApple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus is 9 g (5%) heavier than Apple iPhone 17 Pro.
Review Videos
Hand-picked expert reviews for each product
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus comparison
Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Plus are compared side by side above across every spec in the smartphones category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 81/100 for Apple iPhone 17 Pro and 80/100 for Apple iPhone 16 Plus.
At launch, Apple iPhone 16 Plus was the more affordable option ($899) versus Apple iPhone 17 Pro ($1099). Weigh that against the overall scores (81/100 vs 80/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.
It's close — Apple iPhone 17 Pro (81/100) and Apple iPhone 16 Plus (80/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.
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