iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17e
6.3 mm narrower, 14.2 mm shorter and 30 g lighter.
Quick answer
Choosing between these models comes down to display space versus handling convenience. The iPhone 17e is significantly more compact, measuring 146.7 mm tall and 71.5 mm wide, which makes it much easier to grip and navigate with an average adult hand. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Plus measures 160.9 mm tall and 77.8 mm wide, demanding two hands for comfortable operation. Both devices share a depth of 7.8 mm, but the iPhone 16 Plus weighs 199 g, compared to the 169 g iPhone 17e. While the iPhone 16 Plus provides an expansive 6.7-inch display for reading and media, the 6.1-inch iPhone 17e is noticeably lighter in pockets and jackets.
- iPhone 17e is easier to hold with one hand thanks to its 71.5 mm width.
- iPhone 16 Plus offers a larger 6.7-inch screen for reading and videos.
- At 169 g, iPhone 17e pulls far less on lightweight pockets than the 199 g iPhone 16 Plus.
- Both devices share the same 7.8 mm thickness but neither fits median women's jeans pockets.
TRUE SCALE · 1.6 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 16 Plus: 160.9 by 77.8 by 7.8 millimetres, 199 grams. iPhone 17e: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 millimetres, 169 grams.
16 Plus, 17e shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
Height: 16 Plus 160.9 millimetres, 17e 146.7 millimetres.Height: 16 Plus 6.33 inches, 17e 5.78 inches.Width: 16 Plus 77.8 millimetres, 17e 71.5 millimetres.Width: 16 Plus 3.06 inches, 17e 2.81 inches.Depth: 16 Plus 7.80 millimetres, 17e 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 16 Plus 0.31 inches, 17e 0.31 inches.Weight: 16 Plus 199 grams, 17e 169 grams.Weight: 16 Plus 7.02 ounces, 17e 5.96 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 16 Plus | 17e |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 160.9 millimetres6.33 inches | 146.7 millimetres, 14.2 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.56 inches less |
| Width | 77.8 millimetres3.06 inches | 71.5 millimetres, 6.3 millimetres less2.81 inches, 0.25 inches less |
| Depth | 7.80 millimetres0.31 inches | 7.80 millimetres, the same0.31 inches, the same |
| Weight | 199 grams7.02 ounces | 169 grams, 30 grams less5.96 ounces, 1.06 ounces less |
| Volume | 97.6 cubic centimetres5.96 cubic inches | 81.8 cubic centimetres, 15.8 cubic centimetres less4.99 cubic inches, 0.97 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 88 percent | 86 percent, 2 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.7 inches | 6.1 inches, 0.6 inches less |
| Resolution | 1290 × 2796 | 1170 × 2532 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 457 pixels per inch, 2 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A18 | A19 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 26 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 128 – 512 GB | 256 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 899 dollars | 599 dollars, 300 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2024 | Mar 2026 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Also compared with iPhone 16 Plus
Questions about these phones
Is the iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 17e easier to use with one hand?
The iPhone 17e is much easier to use one-handed because its 71.5 mm width allows an average adult hand to reach across the display without adjusting grip.
How do the screen sizes compare between iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17e?
The iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch screen with 1290 × 2796 resolution, whereas the iPhone 17e has a smaller 6.1-inch screen with 1170 × 2532 resolution.
How much lighter is the iPhone 17e than the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 17e weighs 169 g, which is lighter than the 199 g iPhone 16 Plus.
Will the iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 17e fit in my pocket?
Both phones fit inside median men's jeans pockets, but neither fits inside median women's jeans pockets.
How thick are the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17e?
Both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17e have an identical depth of 7.8 mm.
Is it worth upgrading from iPhone 16 Plus to iPhone 17e for size alone?
It is worth switching to the iPhone 17e if you want a lighter, narrower phone that is easier to manage in one hand and pocket.