iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: is a used 16 Pro the smarter buy?
Everything that changed between the 16 Pro and the 17 Pro, what it costs to have it, and whether a QDN Certified 16 Pro with a 15-month warranty is the better deal.
The short answer
Apple sells the iPhone 17 Pro new from $1,099. A QDN Certified 16 Pro starts at $718, so you keep about $381 in your pocket. For that you give up a newer chip, the newer cameras and longer battery life. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 16 Pro is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17 Pro.
iPhone 16 Pro
QDN Certified, 15-month warranty
from $718$999
7 in stock · launched at $999
Shop used 16 ProiPhone 17 Pro
New from Apple and carriers
$1,099
Apple’s launch price. Not sold by QDN.
What actually differs
Only the rows where the two phones are not identical. A tick marks the side that wins the row.
The 17 Pro runs the A19 Pro, a generation ahead of the A18 Pro. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.
17 Pro wins
Cameras: the 16 Pro has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 12 MP telephoto; the 17 Pro has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 48 MP telephoto.
17 Pro wins
The 16 Pro zooms to 5× optically; the 17 Pro stops at 4×. For concerts, sport and kids on a stage, the longer lens is the one you will use.
16 Pro wins
Battery: Apple rates the 17 Pro at up to 33 hours of video playback against 27 for the 16 Pro. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.
17 Pro wins
The 16 Pro has a titanium frame; the 17 Pro is aluminum.
Preference
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: full spec sheet
Apple’s published specifications. Highlighted rows differ.
- Released
- 20242025
- Display
- 6.3″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island6.3″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island
- Chip
- A18 ProA19 Pro
- RAM
- 8 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)12 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it)
- Rear cameras
- 3: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide · 12 MP telephoto3: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide · 48 MP telephoto
- Optical zoom
- 5× telephoto4× telephoto
- Battery
- Up to 27 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)Up to 33 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery)
- Charging port
- USB-C (USB 3)USB-C (USB 3)
- Frame
- TitaniumAluminum
- Weight
- 199 g206 g
- 5G
- YesYes
- Satellite SOS
- YesYes
- Apple Intelligence
- YesYes
- Action button
- YesYes
- Camera Control
- YesYes
- Apple launch price
- $999$1,099
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |
| Display | 6.3″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island | 6.3″, 120 Hz ProMotion, Dynamic Island |
| Chip | A18 Pro | A19 Pro |
| RAM | 8 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it) | 12 GB (reported; Apple does not publish it) |
| Rear cameras | 3: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide · 12 MP telephoto | 3: 48 MP main · 48 MP ultra wide · 48 MP telephoto |
| Optical zoom | 5× telephoto | 4× telephoto |
| Battery | Up to 27 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery) | Up to 33 h video playback (Apple's figure, new battery) |
| Charging port | USB-C (USB 3) | USB-C (USB 3) |
| Frame | Titanium | Aluminum |
| Weight | 199 g | 206 g |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | Yes |
| Action button | Yes | Yes |
| Camera Control | Yes | Yes |
| Apple launch price | $999 | $1,099 |
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iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: common questions
What is the biggest difference between the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro?
The 17 Pro runs the A19 Pro, a generation ahead of the A18 Pro. Day to day both feel quick; the gap shows in games, video export and how many years of iOS updates lie ahead.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro worth the extra over the iPhone 16 Pro?
Apple sells the iPhone 17 Pro new from $1,099. A QDN Certified 16 Pro starts at $718, so you keep about $381 in your pocket. For that you give up a newer chip, the newer cameras and longer battery life. If none of those changes how you use a phone, the 16 Pro is the smarter buy; it still runs the current iOS and comes with a 15-month warranty, which is longer than Apple's standard one year on the 17 Pro.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 16 Pro or the iPhone 17 Pro?
Cameras: the 16 Pro has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 12 MP telephoto; the 17 Pro has 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra wide, 48 MP telephoto.
Which has the better battery?
Battery: Apple rates the 17 Pro at up to 33 hours of video playback against 27 for the 16 Pro. On a used phone the listing's battery health matters as much as this number.
Do both support Apple Intelligence?
Yes, both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro support Apple Intelligence.
Does QDN sell the iPhone 17 Pro?
Not yet. We sell QDN Certified pre-owned iPhones from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro appears here so you can see exactly what a used 16 Pro gives up against Apple's current line-up.
Related comparisons
Used iPhone 16 Pro from $718
Each QDN listing is one specific phone: storage, colour and battery health shown up front. Inspected, unlocked, 15-month warranty, free US shipping.
- 15-month warranty
- Free US shipping
- Case, protector & cable included