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Phone Comparison

Apple iPhone 16e vs Apple iPhone 17 Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 16e
Apple
Apple iPhone 16e
7.7 / 10
Compass Score
From 57 critic reviews
Full review →
Apple iPhone 17
Apple
Apple iPhone 17
8.7 / 10
Compass Score
From 49 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPhone 16e

An affordable, reliable phone with strong performance and solid battery life, designed for everyday needs.

+
Good
+ Affordable price point
+ 6.1-inch OLED screen
+ Long battery life
+ Includes new C1 modem
+ Latest A18 processor
−
Not
− No MagSafe support
− Single rear camera
− No Dynamic Island
− Lower brightness display
− Limited color options

iPhone 17

Consistent performance and a quality display make this a good choice for most users.

+
Good
+ 120Hz refresh rate
+ Faster charging
+ Double storage
+ Slick selfie camera
+ Same cost as before
−
Not
− Weak zoom capabilities
− Gets hot during gaming
− No new AI features
− Lags in telephoto performance
− Subdued color options
Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper iPhone 16e means giving up most on: Wired charging

iPhone 16e
iPhone 17
Price (MSRP)
$599
Price (MSRP)
$899
OS
iOS
OS
iOS
Processor
Apple A18 Hexa-core
Processor
Apple A19 Hexa-core
Camera zoom
β€”
Camera zoom
β€”
Battery life
11h 53m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
β€”
Wired charging
20W
Wired charging
40W
Wireless charging
7.5W
Wireless charging
25W
Display
Color, 60Hz
1200 nits peak
Display
Color
Software support
β€”
Software support
β€”
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
β€”
Weight
167g (5.9 oz)
Weight
177g (6.2 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

iPhone 16e
iPhone 17
DxOMark v6
β€”
DxOMark v6
157
photo 155 Β· video 162
AnTuTu v10
1.61M
AnTuTu v10
2.24M
GSMArena endurance
11h 53m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
β€”
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
β€”
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 16e
5.8" × 2.8"
iPhone 17
5.9" × 2.8"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 16e
0.3"
iPhone 17
0.3"
Height
5.8" (146.7 mm)
Height
5.9" (149.6 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.5 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.6 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.8 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8 mm)
Weight
167g (5.9 oz)
Weight
177g (6.2 oz)
Screen
6.1"
Screen
6.3"

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.

Common questions

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 16e or iPhone 17?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPhone 17 earns a Compass Score of 8.7 compared to 7.7 for the iPhone 16e. That 1-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 is faster, the iPhone 16e or iPhone 17?
The iPhone 17 scores 2,239,708 in AnTuTu benchmarks compared to 1,612,788 for the iPhone 16e, roughly 39% 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 16e or iPhone 17?
The iPhone 16e launches at $599, which is $300 less than the iPhone 17 at $899. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.
Should I buy the iPhone 16e or the iPhone 17?
Our critics' take on the iPhone 16e: "An affordable, reliable phone with strong performance and solid battery life, designed for everyday needs." On the iPhone 17: "Consistent performance and a quality display make this a good choice for most users." 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 →