iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: Should You Upgrade?
iPhone 17 Pro was runner-up Best Camera at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards; iPhone 16 Pro won the same category in 2024. The 17 Pro is a refinement, not a reinvention — and the discounted 16 Pro now looks like a real value play. Here's the round-by-round.
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 17 Pro
Apple · 2025 · From $999
iPhone 16 Pro
Apple · 2024 · From $999
Round wins
iPhone 17 Pro: 5 · iPhone 16 Pro: 1 ·Ties: 1
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Apple A18 Pro |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Camera | 48MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 12MP 5x telephoto | 48MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 12MP 5x telephoto |
| Battery | 3,700 mAh | 3,582 mAh |
| OS | iOS 19 | iOS 18 |
| Starting price | $999 | $999 |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display
Winner: iPhone 17 ProiPhone 17 Pro is roughly 15% brighter than the 16 Pro at peak. Both are 6.3-inch ProMotion OLED. Marginal but real.
Performance
Winner: iPhone 17 ProA19 Pro is ~20% faster CPU and ~25% faster GPU than A18 Pro, with better sustained-load thermals. For typical use you won't notice; for AI workloads you will.
Camera
Winner: iPhone 17 ProSame fundamental hardware (triple 48MP). The 17 Pro adds improved computational pipelines — better dynamic range, less aggressive face smoothing. Side-by-side stills are subtly improved; video is functionally identical.
Battery
Winner: iPhone 17 ProiPhone 17 Pro lasts roughly 30–60 minutes longer in mixed use thanks to A19 Pro efficiency. Modest.
Apple Intelligence
TieBoth fully support Apple Intelligence. iOS 19 brings deeper integration but runs identically on both chips for most features.
Software longevity
Winner: iPhone 17 ProiPhone 17 Pro has roughly one extra year of iOS support runway. Both will see major iOS updates well into the 2030s.
Price
Winner: iPhone 16 ProiPhone 17 Pro: $1,099. iPhone 16 Pro: $899 (roughly $200 off). The 16 Pro is the value pick.
Final verdict
If you're on an iPhone 14 Pro or earlier, upgrade to the 17 Pro. If you're on the 16 Pro, skip the 17 Pro entirely — the upgrades are real but incremental, and the 16 Pro will get iOS support through 2030+. For new buyers, the 16 Pro at $899 (roughly $200 off launch) is the smarter buy unless you specifically need the A19 Pro chip or refined cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone 17 Pro worth upgrading from iPhone 16 Pro?
Probably not. The improvements are real but incremental — better thermals, slightly brighter display, refined camera processing. iPhone 16 Pro will be supported through 2030+. Skip the upgrade unless you specifically want the A19 Pro chip.
iPhone 16 Pro vs 17 Pro: which is the better buy in 2026?
If price-sensitive, the 16 Pro at $899 (winner of MKBHD's 2024 Best Camera) is the better value. If you want the latest, the 17 Pro at $1,099 is a refined product but not transformative.
How long will the iPhone 16 Pro be supported?
Apple typically supports iPhones for 5–7 years of major iOS updates. The 16 Pro should receive iOS support through approximately 2029–2031.