iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16e
2.9 mm shorter, 0.15 mm thinner and 10 g lighter.
Quick answer
Both phones share an identical 71.5 mm width, giving them the same horizontal grip in an average adult hand. iPhone 17 stands taller at 149.6 mm compared to 146.7 mm for iPhone 16e, while measuring 7.95 mm thick versus 7.8 mm. At 177 g, iPhone 17 carries an extra 10 g over the 167 g iPhone 16e, a minimal difference in a light jacket pocket. In measured jeans pockets, both models slide into men's median pockets but neither fits women's median pockets. Choosing iPhone 17 provides a 6.3 in screen instead of 6.1 in, offering more reading area within an almost identical physical footprint.
- Identical 71.5 mm widths mean both phones feel equally comfortable to grip across the palm.
- iPhone 17 gives 6.3 in of display while adding only 10 g over iPhone 16e.
- Both fit into men's median pockets, but neither fits into median women's jeans pockets.
TRUE SCALE · 1.7 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.2 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 17: 149.6 by 71.5 by 7.95 millimetres, 177 grams. iPhone 16e: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 millimetres, 167 grams.
17, 16e shown at 2.2 pixels per millimetre.
Height: 17 149.6 millimetres, 16e 146.7 millimetres.Height: 17 5.89 inches, 16e 5.78 inches.Width: 17 71.5 millimetres, 16e 71.5 millimetres.Width: 17 2.81 inches, 16e 2.81 inches.Depth: 17 7.95 millimetres, 16e 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 17 0.31 inches, 16e 0.31 inches.Weight: 17 177 grams, 16e 167 grams.Weight: 17 6.24 ounces, 16e 5.89 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 | 16e |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 149.6 millimetres5.89 inches | 146.7 millimetres, 2.9 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.11 inches less |
| Width | 71.5 millimetres2.81 inches | 71.5 millimetres, the same2.81 inches, the same |
| Depth | 7.95 millimetres0.31 inches | 7.80 millimetres, 0.15 millimetres less0.31 inches, 0.01 inches less |
| Weight | 177 grams6.24 ounces | 167 grams, 10 grams less5.89 ounces, 0.35 ounces less |
| Volume | 85.0 cubic centimetres5.19 cubic inches | 81.8 cubic centimetres, 3.2 cubic centimetres less4.99 cubic inches, 0.20 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 86 percent, 4 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.3 inches | 6.1 inches, 0.2 inches less |
| Resolution | 1206 × 2622 | 1170 × 2532 |
| Pixel density | 458 pixels per inch | 457 pixels per inch, 1 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A19 | A18 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 30 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 | 256 – 512 GB | 128 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 799 dollars | 599 dollars, 200 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Feb 2025 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Also compared with iPhone 17
Questions about these phones
Is iPhone 17 bigger than iPhone 16e?
iPhone 17 is slightly larger, measuring 149.6 mm tall and 7.95 mm deep compared to iPhone 16e at 146.7 mm tall and 7.8 mm deep, though both share a 71.5 mm width.
How does the weight compare between iPhone 17 and iPhone 16e?
iPhone 16e weighs 167 g, making it 10 g lighter than the 177 g iPhone 17.
Which phone has the larger display?
iPhone 17 features a 6.3 in display, whereas iPhone 16e features a 6.1 in display.
Is one-handed use easier on iPhone 16e than iPhone 17?
Horizontal reach is identical because both measure 71.5 mm wide, but reaching the top is slightly easier on iPhone 16e due to its 146.7 mm height compared to 149.6 mm on iPhone 17.
Do iPhone 17 and iPhone 16e fit in standard pockets?
Both phones fit inside men's median jeans pockets, but neither model fits inside women's median jeans pockets.
Is upgrading to iPhone 17 worth it for size alone?
Upgrading for size alone is rarely necessary because both have the same 71.5 mm width, though iPhone 17 provides a 6.3 in screen compared to the 6.1 in screen on iPhone 16e.