For years, Apple followed a pretty predictable rhythm. If you bought the standard iPhone and your friend bought the Pro, you could basically swap cases—assuming you didn't mind the extra camera cutout. They were twins. Same height, same width, same pocketability.
That's dead now.
If you are wondering are iPhone 16 and 16 Pro the same size, the short answer is no. Not even close. For the first time in a long while, Apple has actually physically stretched the Pro model. It’s taller. It’s heavier. It’s got a bigger screen. Honestly, if you try to jam an iPhone 16 into a 16 Pro case, you’re going to have a very bad time.
The standard iPhone 16 sticks to the classic 6.1-inch form factor we’ve known for years. But the iPhone 16 Pro has graduated to a 6.3-inch display. While 0.2 inches sounds like nothing, it changes the entire feel of the device in your palm.
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The Tape Measure Doesn't Lie: 16 vs 16 Pro Dimensions
Let's look at the actual numbers because "slightly bigger" is a vague term that helps nobody.
The standard iPhone 16 measures 147.6 mm (5.81 inches) tall. It’s 71.6 mm (2.82 inches) wide and just 7.80 mm (0.31 inches) thick. It weighs in at 170 grams. It feels light. It feels like the iPhone you probably already have.
The iPhone 16 Pro, on the other hand, jumps up to 149.6 mm (5.89 inches) in height. It's actually a tiny bit narrower at 71.5 mm, which is a weird engineering trick Apple pulled off by shrinking the borders. But it’s thicker at 8.25 mm and significantly heavier at 199 grams.
That weight difference is the real kicker. You're looking at nearly 30 grams of extra "heft" in the Pro.
That's the titanium and the extra camera glass talking. If you're coming from a regular iPhone 13 or 14, you're going to feel that weight every time you pick it up. It’s not "heavy" like a brick, but it's dense.
Why the size change happened
Apple didn't just make the Pro bigger to be annoying. They needed space.
Inside that 16 Pro chassis, they had to cram in a much more complex camera system, including that 5x tetraprism zoom lens that used to be exclusive to the Max. Plus, they wanted to shrink the bezels—the black borders around the screen—to almost nothing.
By making the phone slightly taller and slimming those borders, they managed to fit a 6.3-inch screen into a body that doesn't feel like a "Plus" or "Max" phone, even though it’s definitely larger than the base model.
Screen Sizes: 6.1 vs 6.3 Inches
The display is where you’ll notice the difference the most.
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- iPhone 16: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display.
- iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion.
It’s not just about the diagonal measurement. Because the Pro has "ProMotion" (that 120Hz refresh rate), everything looks smoother. But the extra screen real estate on the Pro gives you maybe an extra line or two of text in a browser or a slightly more immersive view in a game.
Is it a dealbreaker? Probably not for most. But if you have small hands and you're already struggling with the 6.1-inch size, the 16 Pro might push you over the edge into "two-handed use" territory.
Does the case fit?
Absolutely not.
Don't even try it. Even if the height difference was negligible, the camera bumps are completely different. The iPhone 16 has a new vertical "pill" shaped camera layout designed for spatial video. The 16 Pro has the massive triple-lens triangle.
If you're upgrading, you are buying a new case. Period.
Weight and Materials: Aluminum vs Titanium
There is a tactile difference here that goes beyond just dimensions. The iPhone 16 is made of "aerospace-grade" aluminum. It has a matte, sort of soft-touch glass back that feels great and doesn't show fingerprints much.
The 16 Pro uses Grade 5 Titanium.
Titanium is stronger than aluminum, sure, but it also has a different thermal profile. The Pro model has a internal structural frame made of 100% recycled aluminum bonded to that titanium skin. It’s designed to dissipate heat better, especially when you’re doing heavy tasks like 4K video recording or gaming.
But again, the weight is the story. 170g vs 199g.
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If you wear loose gym shorts, the 16 Pro is the phone that’s going to start pulling them down. The base 16 stays put. It sounds like a joke, but after a week of carrying both, you really notice which one is the "heavy" one.
Which Size Should You Actually Get?
Picking between these two isn't just about the "Pro" features anymore; it’s about how it fits in your life.
If you want the lightest, most "tossable" phone that fits in any pocket and doesn't fatigue your wrist during a long TikTok scroll, the standard iPhone 16 is the winner. It's the classic size. It works.
However, if you feel like the 6.1-inch screen is just a bit cramped, the 16 Pro hits a sweet spot. It’s not the giant surfboard that is the Pro Max, but it feels more "premium" and expansive than the base model.
Actionable insights for buyers:
- Check your current case: If you have an iPhone 15 Pro, your case won't fit the 16 Pro because the new one is taller.
- Feel the weight: Go to a store and hold them. The 29-gram difference between the 16 and 16 Pro is more noticeable than the 0.2-inch screen difference.
- Camera Control: Both phones have the new "Camera Control" button on the right side, so you aren't missing out on the new tactile experience by going with the smaller, cheaper model.
- Think about your pockets: The 16 Pro is 2mm taller. If your favorite jeans have shallow pockets, that extra height might be the difference between the phone staying in or sliding out when you sit down.
The days of "one size fits all" for the flagship iPhones are officially over. You’re choosing between "Standard" and "Slightly Larger and Heavier Pro." Make sure you know which one your hands prefer before you drop the cash.