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Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Apple iPhone 17e Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Apple
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
8.5 / 10
Compass Score
From 54 critic reviews
Full review →
Apple iPhone 17e
Apple
Apple iPhone 17e
7.8 / 10
Compass Score
From 36 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPhone 16 Pro

Offers robust features but lacks innovation, maintaining the same design with marginal upgrades that may not justify an upgrade for recent models.

+
Good
+ 5x optical zoom
+ Upgraded ultrawide lens
+ New camera control button
+ Slightly larger screen
+ Better battery efficiency
−
Not
− Incremental updates
− No Apple Intelligence yet
− Pricey accessories
− Similar design to predecessor
− Low resolution selfie camera

iPhone 17e

Premium mid-range choice with robust performance and essential features, ideal for sensible investment.

+
Good
+ MagSafe support
+ Higher storage base
+ Improved performance
+ Durable design
+ Good battery life
−
Not
− Only 60Hz screen
− Single rear camera
− Limited camera features
− No camera control button
− Slower charging
Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper iPhone 17e means giving up most on: Wired charging, Display

iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 17e
Price (MSRP)
$999
Price (MSRP)
$699
OS
iOS
OS
iOS
Processor
Apple A18 Pro Hexa-core
Processor
Apple A19 Hexa-core
Camera zoom
—
Camera zoom
—
Battery life
14h 17m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
15h 30m
GSMArena Active Use
Wired charging
45W
Wired charging
20W
Wireless charging
25W
Wireless charging
15W
Display
Color, 120Hz
2000 nits peak
Display
Color, 60Hz
1200 nits peak
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Weight
199g (7 oz)
Weight
169g (6 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 17e
DxOMark v5
157
photo 157 · video 159
DxOMark v5
—
AnTuTu v10
1.81M
AnTuTu v10
2.26M
GSMArena endurance
14h 17m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
15h 30m
Active Use
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
7/10
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 16 Pro
5.9" × 2.8"
iPhone 17e
5.8" × 2.8"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 16 Pro
0.3"
iPhone 17e
0.3"
Height
5.9" (149.6 mm)
Height
5.8" (146.7 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.5 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.5 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.3 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.8 mm)
Weight
199g (7 oz)
Weight
169g (6 oz)
Screen
6.3"
Screen
6.1"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Also compared

Related comparisons

Other head-to-head matchups for the phones on this page.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro
8.5
VS
Apple iPhone 18 Pro
8.9
Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Compare →
Common questions

iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 17e: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17e?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPhone 16 Pro earns a Compass Score of 8.5 compared to 7.8 for the iPhone 17e. That 0.7-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Which phone has a better display, the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17e?
The iPhone 16 Pro runs at 120Hz and the iPhone 17e at 60Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations, and gaming feel noticeably smoother on the iPhone 16 Pro. Screen sizes are 6.3" and 6.1" respectively. Peak brightness hits 2,000 nits on the iPhone 16 Pro and 1,200 nits on the iPhone 17e, which affects outdoor readability.
Which lasts longer on a charge, the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17e?
In GSMArena's standardised endurance test, the iPhone 17e scored 15h 30m of active use compared to 14h 17m for the iPhone 16 Pro. That gives the iPhone 17e a measurable edge in screen-on time between charges. Keep in mind that real-world battery life varies with signal strength, screen brightness, and app usage patterns.
Which is faster, the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17e?
The iPhone 17e scores 2,262,704 in AnTuTu benchmarks compared to 1,808,835 for the iPhone 16 Pro, roughly 25% higher in raw throughput. That gap is most noticeable in heavy gaming, video rendering, and large multitasking sessions. For everyday tasks like messaging and web browsing, both phones will feel responsive.
Which phone is more affordable, the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17e?
The iPhone 17e launches at $699, which is $300 less than the iPhone 16 Pro at $999. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.
Which is easier to repair, the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17e?
Both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17e score 7/10 on iFixit's repairability scale. Neither has a meaningful advantage in repair accessibility. Parts availability and repair cost should be similar for both devices.
Should I buy the iPhone 16 Pro or the iPhone 17e?
Our critics' take on the iPhone 16 Pro: "Offers robust features but lacks innovation, maintaining the same design with marginal upgrades that may not justify an upgrade for recent models." On the iPhone 17e: "Premium mid-range choice with robust performance and essential features, ideal for sensible investment." Both phones have clear strengths in different areas; scroll through the comparison above to see which trade-offs align with your priorities.

Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated November 2026. Suggest a correction →