Here's a surprise: the iPhone 17 actually wins this category. Apple finally made its own wireless chip, and it's pretty good.
The N1 Chip Is a Big Deal
For years, Apple used Qualcomm modems for wireless stuff. With the iPhone 17, they introduced their own N1 chip that handles Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more.
Why does this matter? Apple can now fine-tune how all the wireless features work together. Better battery life for wireless tasks. Better integration with Find My and AirTags. It's one of those under-the-hood improvements that makes everything a little smoother.
Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6E
The iPhone 17 gets Wi-Fi 7. The iPhone 16 Pro has Wi-Fi 6E.
Real talk: right now, most people won't notice a difference. Your home router probably isn't Wi-Fi 7 yet. But if you're buying a phone to keep for 3-4 years, the iPhone 17 is better positioned for where Wi-Fi is heading.
5G Is Basically the Same
Both phones have all the 5G bands you'd expect:
- Sub-6GHz (the widespread coverage kind)
- mmWave (the crazy-fast-but-rare kind)
- Standalone 5G
Your 5G experience will depend way more on your carrier than which of these phones you pick.
Bluetooth Works the Same
Both have Bluetooth 5.3. Your AirPods will sound equally good on either phone.
Smart Home Stuff
Both support Thread for smart home gadgets, though the iPhone 17's N1 chip handles it more efficiently.
Bottom Line
For 5G and Bluetooth, they're basically identical. For Wi-Fi future-proofing and overall wireless efficiency, the iPhone 17 has a slight edge thanks to that new N1 chip.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
More Answers
If you're still curious about the , here are some other answers you might find interesting:
- Are iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 Pro cases and accessories compatible?
Nope, they're not interchangeable. Let me save you some frustration and explain what works and what doesn't. The camera bump on these two phones is completely...
- Will iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 17 get software updates longer?
Good news: both of these phones will get iOS updates for a long time. Apple is pretty great about this. Apple typically supports iPhones for about 5-6 years...
- Should I get the iPhone 17 Pro instead of choosing between iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17?
Wait, before you decide between iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17, have you thought about the iPhone 17 Pro? Hear me out. The iPhone 17 Pro is basically what happens...
- For photographers, should I buy iPhone 17 or iPhone 16 Pro?
As someone who cares about photography, let me make this simple: the iPhone 16 Pro is the better camera phone. It's not even close. The iPhone 16 Pro has a...
- Which is better for video recording: iPhone 17 or iPhone 16 Pro?
If you're making video content for YouTube, TikTok, or client work, the iPhone 16 Pro has features the iPhone 17 simply doesn't offer. The iPhone 16 Pro can...
- What are the storage options for iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16 Pro?
The storage situation is actually pretty different between these two phones. Let me break it down. iPhone 16 Pro options: 128GB: $999 256GB: $1,099 512GB:...
- Do iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 Pro have the same Apple Intelligence features?
Short answer: Yes, they have the same features. But there's some nuance worth understanding. Both phones get the full package: Writing Tools: Fix your emails,...
- Which is better for gaming: iPhone 17 or iPhone 16 Pro?
This one might surprise you: the older phone is actually better for gaming. Here's why. When you're deep into Resident Evil 4 or grinding through Genshin...
- What's the difference between iPhone 16 Pro titanium and iPhone 17 aluminum design?
These two phones feel genuinely different in your hand, and it's not just about the spec sheet. Let me break down what actually matters. The iPhone 16 Pro uses...
- How does the iPhone 17 display compare to the iPhone 16 Pro screen?
Here's some good news if you're torn between these two: the displays are basically identical now. Let me explain why that's actually a big deal. For years, you...
