iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Pro – Which one should you Buy?

iPhone 17 (2025) vs iPhone 16 Pro (2024)

Choosing between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 Pro can be surprisingly difficult in 2025. Despite the iPhone 17 being newer, both phones are now similarly priced, leaving buyers wondering where the real value lies: in updated features or in last year’s pro-level hardware?

After extensively testing both models, here’s a breakdown of their differences and a clear recommendation depending on your use case.

iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 17: Core Differences at a Glance

iPhone 16 Pro has a triple-camera setup with a 5x optical zoom lens, full pro photo controls including RAW support, and a LIDAR sensor for better depth mapping in photos and video.
iPhone 17 introduces a redesigned front-facing camera with advanced framing features, exclusive iOS 26 camera software, and finally includes a 120Hz display on the base model.
Both phones feature excellent battery life and nearly identical display quality.

iPhone 16 Pro Zoom Advantage: Optical vs Digital

The standout feature of the iPhone 16 Pro is its 5x optical telephoto lens. Unlike the digital crop used on the iPhone 17, the 16 Pro consistently captures sharper and more detailed zoom shots, especially at long distances.

5x Shot Comparison

Cropped in Comparison

Whether you're shooting landscapes, events, or portraits with background compression, the optical zoom on iPhone 16 Pro outperforms every time.

iPhone 16 Pro Camera Flexibility: ProRAW and HEIF Max

The iPhone 16 Pro supports RAW Max and HEIF Max formats, giving photographers full control over image data. This is critical if you plan to edit photos later. HEIF Max preserves more detail without massive file sizes, while RAW Max enables advanced color grading and contrast control.

iPhone 16 Pro Camera Resolution options

iPhone 16 Pro Raw

The iPhone 17 does not offer these options. Users can only toggle between 24MP and 48MP resolutions, with no manual format control.

iPhone 17 Camera Resolution options

iPhone 17 Selfie Camera: Wider, Smarter, Better

The iPhone 17 introduces a wider front camera that allows horizontal shots without physically rotating the device. It also supports Center Stage tracking in third-party apps—ideal for FaceTime, Zoom, or vlogging.

Comparison of iPhone 17 Vs 16 Pro Selfie Camera

This enhanced front camera makes the iPhone 17 an excellent choice for users who create selfie content or participate in frequent video calls.

iPhone 16 Pro Portrait Mode: Pro Look with LIDAR

Portrait shots on both phones look similar at 1x, but the iPhone 16 Pro takes the lead when switching to its 5x telephoto lens.

Portrait Comparison at 1x

Portrait Comparison at 5x

The result is better subject separation and more flattering proportions due to optical background compression—something the iPhone 17 cannot replicate with digital zoom.

iPhone 17 Build and Display: Now Catches Up

Apple finally brought the 120Hz ProMotion display to the base iPhone 17. The result is a buttery-smooth experience, matching the iPhone 16 Pro in clarity and outdoor visibility.

iPhone 17 120Hz ProMotion Display

Both phones offer nearly identical screen performance and solid build quality.

iPhone 16 Pro Video Capabilities: Log Format and Cinematic Edge

For video creators, the iPhone 16 Pro offers a key advantage: it supports Apple Log, enabling greater flexibility in color grading and improved dynamic range. The inclusion of a telephoto lens and LIDAR sensor also helps produce more realistic cinematic depth effects compared to the iPhone 17.

An image shot before applying the Apple Log

Shot with Steven Divish Lens - Apple Log

If you’re filming more cinematic or long-distance content, the 16 Pro still holds the advantage.

iPhone 16 Pro Consistency in Low Light

When using the ultra-wide camera in low light, the iPhone 16 Pro consistently delivers balanced tones and better sharpness. The iPhone 17 occasionally introduces color shifts or motion blur, likely due to more aggressive post-processing or software instability.

iPhone 17 Inconsistency due to Low Light

Motion Blur being introduced in iPhone 17 Image

Identical wide angle shot during daylight

During daylight, however, both phones perform almost identically on the ultra-wide camera.

iPhone 17 Exclusive iOS 26 Features

Several new features in iOS 26 are exclusive to iPhone 17, despite the 16 Pro having the hardware to run them. These include:

Dual Capture mode
Enhanced front-camera AI framing
Limited object tracking features in the camera

iPhone 17 Dual Capture Mode Demo

Object Tracking on iPhone 17

Several new features in iOS 26 are exclusive to iPhone 17, despite the 16 Pro having the hardware to run them. These include:

Dual Capture mode
Enhanced front-camera AI framing
Limited object tracking features in the camera

While frustrating for 16 Pro owners, these new tools make the iPhone 17 more appealing for users who shoot mostly with the front camera or enjoy the latest software experiences.

iPhone 16 Pro Still Holds Strong in 2025

Despite being a year older, the iPhone 16 Pro still offers a premium experience thanks to its camera hardware, manual controls, and professional features.

If your content includes Landscapes, Portraits, Cinematic videos & Zoom photography, the 16 Pro remains one of the strongest iPhones you can buy.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Pro: Which Should You Buy?

Choose iPhone 16 Pro if:

You shoot telephoto or cinematic content
You need RAW or HEIF Max photo formats
You want more consistency in low light
You need full pro camera controls

Choose iPhone 17 if:

You film yourself more than others
You use video calling frequently
You prefer latest software updates and front-camera features
You’re upgrading from a much older phone and want smoother UI

Final Thoughts

To make the right choice, open your current photo gallery and see what kind of photos and videos you take most often.

Content Credit: Steven Divish

If your content is mostly front-facing or casual, the iPhone 17 will likely make you happier. But if you want more control, better zoom, and cinematic power, the iPhone 16 Pro still punches above its price.