Look, I get it. The new iPhone 17 is shiny and tempting. But if you're rocking an iPhone 16 Pro, pumping the brakes here is actually the smart play.
You'd Be Giving Up Some Good Stuff
Here's the thing: your iPhone 16 Pro has a 5x telephoto lens that takes gorgeous zoomed photos. The standard iPhone 17? No telephoto at all. You'd literally be trading down in the camera department.
That titanium frame on your 16 Pro isn't just for looks. It's premium, durable, and houses a LiDAR scanner that makes low-light photos and AR apps work way better.
What the iPhone 17 Actually Brings
There are some genuine upgrades worth noting:
- That buttery 120Hz screen finally made it to the base iPhone
- 256GB of storage right out of the box (your 16 Pro probably started at 128GB)
- A much better selfie camera with that new Center Stage tech
- Fresh aluminum design if you're into that aesthetic
My Honest Take
Unless one of those iPhone 17 features is calling your name, hold onto that 16 Pro. It's still a beast of a phone.
But if you've got upgrade fever and the budget allows, look at the iPhone 17 Pro instead. That's where you'll get meaningful improvements over what you have now. The jump from 16 Pro to regular 17 just doesn't add up for most people.
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...
- How does iPhone 17 5G and wireless connectivity compare to iPhone 16 Pro?
Here's a surprise: the iPhone 17 actually wins this category. Apple finally made its own wireless chip, and it's pretty good. For years, Apple used Qualcomm...
- 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...
