iPhone 16 Colors vs iPhone 17: A Side‑by‑Side Look

Apple’s yearly refresh brings new finishes, and the jump from the iPhone 16 to the iPhone 17 is no exception. In this comparison review we break down every official color option, highlight subtle design tweaks, and explain how the new palette may affect your daily experience. After testing all five devices, we also share a quick note on the Anker Nano Power Bank that kept our phones charged during the shoot.

iPhone 16 Color Palette

The iPhone 16 arrived in five distinct finishes, each aimed at a different style preference:

All finishes use the same aerospace‑grade aluminum frame, but the coating process differs slightly. The matte black and green options use a brushed texture, while the metallic shades feature a glossy anodized surface.

iPhone 17 Color Palette

The iPhone 17 expands the lineup with five new colors and a subtle redesign of the existing finishes:

Apple introduced a new dual‑coating process for the iPhone 17, combining a low‑gloss base with a high‑gloss top layer. This gives the phone a “soft‑shine” appearance that looks different from every angle.

Design Tweaks That Influence Color Perception

Beyond the pigments themselves, two design changes affect how the colors appear in real life:

  1. Flat‑Edge Frame – The iPhone 17’s frame is slightly flatter, reducing the visual distortion that can make dark colors look uneven on the iPhone 16.
  2. Rear Camera Bump – A slimmer camera module on the 17 means more of the back surface is visible, allowing the finish to dominate the look rather than being broken up by a bulky lens block.

These updates make the new palette feel more cohesive, especially on glossy finishes like Alpine White and Sunset