Head to head · October 2026
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro is 34 g heavier than iPhone 17, with 6 more hours of video.
Pick iPhone 17 for
- Light in the pocket
- Budget
- Slim and sleek
From $899
Pick iPhone 18 Pro for
- Battery first
- Photography
- Keeping it for years
From $1,199
Our verdict
Which one should you buy?
Choose iPhone 17 if…
- weight matters: it is 34 g lighter.
- price decides it: it starts $300 lower at Apple.
- you like a slim phone: 7.95 mm thin.
Choose iPhone 18 Pro if…
- battery life comes first: up to 36 hours of video against 30.
- you shoot a lot of photos: Triple 48MP rear cameras against Dual 48MP.
- you keep phones for years: the newer A20 Pro chip will get software updates for longer.
Side by side
Next to each other, to scale.
Screen size
6.3″ vs 6.3″
Both have a 6.3-inch screen. iPhone 17 is 2622 × 1206 pixels at 460 ppi; iPhone 18 Pro is 2622 × 1206 at 460 ppi.
| Screen | iPhone 17 | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Diagonal | 6.3″ | 6.3″ |
| Approx. area | 97.2 cm² | 97.2 cm² |
| Resolution | 2622 × 1206 | 2622 × 1206 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
Price
$899 vs $1,199
iPhone 17 is the cheaper one: it starts at $899 at Apple in the US, $300 less than iPhone 18 Pro at $1,199. The table shows every storage option and what each gigabyte costs.
| Storage | iPhone 17 | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 256 GB | $899 · $3.51/GB | $1,199 · $4.68/GB |
| 512 GB | $1,099 · $2.15/GB | $1,399 · $2.73/GB |
| 1 TB | — | $1,799 · $1.76/GB |
| 2 TB | — | $2,399 · $1.17/GB |
Full specifications
Every figure, side by side.
| Spec | iPhone 17 | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2025 | 2026 |
| Apple sells it new | Yes, from $899 | Yes, from $1,199 |
| Height | 149.6 mm | 150 mm |
| Width | 71.5 mm | 71.9 mm |
| Thickness | 7.95 mm | 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 177 g | 211 g |
| Display | 6.3″ | 6.3″ |
| Resolution | 2622 × 1206 at 460 ppi | 2622 × 1206 at 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz ProMotion | 120 Hz ProMotion |
| Top of screen | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Unlock | Face ID | Face ID |
| Chip | A19 | A20 Pro |
| Rear cameras | Dual 48MP | Triple 48MP |
| Video playback | Up to 30 h | Up to 36 h |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB |
| US price by storage | 256 GB $899 ($3.51/GB) · 512 GB $1,099 ($2.15/GB) | 256 GB $1,199 ($4.68/GB) · 512 GB $1,399 ($2.73/GB) · 1 TB $1,799 ($1.76/GB) · 2 TB $2,399 ($1.17/GB) |
| Colors | 5: Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender | 4: Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy |
Sources: Apple technical specifications for iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro; US prices from apple.com, checked October 2026. Apple does not publish RAM; it comes from Apple's Xcode device data as reported by MacRumors, or Wikipedia's list of iPhone models for older phones.
What reviewers say
17 or 18 Pro?
Their conclusions, in our words. Follow the links for the full reviews.
GSMArena · Oct 2026
GSMArena finds the 18 Pro’s everyday gains modest and favors a cheaper 17 Pro where available, while noting that new 17 Pro stock can be hard to find in the US.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro ↗9to5Mac · Oct 2026
A spec-by-spec rundown that leans practical: with Duo orders already slipping into 2027, the 18 Pro is the pick for anyone who needs a phone soon.
iPhone Duo vs iPhone 18 Pro: Here’s every key difference ↗9to5Mac · Oct 2026
Stopping down the new variable aperture helps night shots with longer exposures and starbursts, but the tester doesn't see it as a reason to leave a 17 Pro, only a bonus for owners of older iPhones.
Here’s the difference the variable aperture of the iPhone 18 Pro makes at night ↗9to5Mac · Oct 2026
After a month of daily use the reviewer singles out all-day battery with plenty to spare, the new variable-aperture main camera and cooler, steadier performance outdoors.
iPhone 18 Pro one month later: These features keep impressing me ↗
More reviewer perspectives (12)
MacRumors · Oct 2026
The Duo's extra cost buys a big folding screen and side-by-side multitasking, while the Pro models keep the more versatile cameras, Face ID and a much lower price.
iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose? ↗PCMag · Sep 2026
Displays are unchanged; the 18 Pro wins on speed and is the only one with a variable-aperture main camera and native Pro controls.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro: To Upgrade or Not? ↗TechRadar · Sep 2026
Lab-tests Apple's claims: video playback rises 9% on the 18 Pro and 15% on the 18 Pro Max over the 17 Pro models, though real gains depend on how you use the phone.
Our iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max battery life test results ↗ZDNET · Sep 2026
Sticks with the 18 Pro: the Duo has no Pro camera controls or telephoto, swaps Face ID for Touch ID, is awkward one-handed when open and costs $800 more at 512GB.
iPhone Duo or 18 Pro? 8 reasons why I'm skipping Apple's first foldable ↗Trusted Reviews · Sep 2026
Same A20 Pro chip, cameras and Pro controls, so it comes down to size: the Pro Max for screen and battery, the Pro if you don't want a huge phone.
iPhone 18 Pro vs 18 Pro Max: What's the difference? ↗ZDNET · Sep 2026
Get the 18 Pro for its variable-aperture camera and manual controls; the 17 Pro is a proven, well-tested phone and far from obsolete.
iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro: Is Apple's newest flagship really worth $100 more? ↗9to5Mac · Sep 2026
The headline changes are a new variable-aperture main camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, longer battery life and 50% charge in 15 minutes.
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: Here's everything new ↗CNET · Apr 2026
For everyday use you likely won't feel a huge difference; the 17's gains are a 48MP ultrawide, an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera and a brighter screen.
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: Should You Upgrade? ↗GSMArena · Dec 2025
The iPhone 17 is close enough for most people (same 120 Hz screen, ultrawide and selfie cameras, lighter body); the Pro still earns its price with the 4x telephoto, faster chip and pro video features.
Apple iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 17 Pro ↗Macworld · Oct 2025
If you already own an iPhone 16 you can keep it, but if you're upgrading from something older there is no reason to choose the 16 over the 17.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: The differences are astonishing ↗PCMag · Sep 2025
The iPhone 17 wins on display (120 Hz, brighter), cameras and battery; the 16 only wins on price, and it starts with half the storage.
Apple iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: The Choice Is Clear ↗How-To Geek · Sep 2025
A head-versus-heart call: the base iPhone 17 is no longer an entry-level compromise, while the 17 Pro adds sustained performance and better cooling.
Torn Between the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro? Here's How to Choose ↗
FAQ
Questions people ask
- Is iPhone 18 Pro bigger than iPhone 17?
- iPhone 18 Pro measures 150 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm and iPhone 17 measures 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm, so iPhone 18 Pro is 0.4 mm taller and 0.4 mm wider.
- Will an iPhone 17 case fit iPhone 18 Pro?
- No. The bodies differ by 0.4 mm in height, 0.4 mm in width and 0.8 mm in thickness, and cases are cut to within a fraction of a millimetre. Buy a case made for your exact model.
- Which has better battery life, iPhone 17 or iPhone 18 Pro?
- iPhone 18 Pro. Apple rates it for up to 36 hours of video playback against 30 hours for iPhone 17.
- Do iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro have the same screen size?
- Both have a 6.3-inch screen. iPhone 17 is 2622 × 1206 pixels at 460 ppi; iPhone 18 Pro is 2622 × 1206 at 460 ppi.
- Which is lighter?
- iPhone 17 weighs 177 g, 34 g less than iPhone 18 Pro (211 g).
- How much more does iPhone 18 Pro cost than iPhone 17?
- iPhone 17 is the cheaper one: it starts at $899 at Apple in the US, $300 less than iPhone 18 Pro at $1,199. The table shows every storage option and what each gigabyte costs.
Keep comparing
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News & analysis
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