I don't think 16 was that much stronger. There was a clear gap between 17/Piccolo and Cell before he started absorbing people and earthlings don't have that much power for his power level to rise to the point of completely dwarfing Piccolo's. Don't forget as well that they were fighting for a while, so were likely not as fit as at the beginning of fights, so sure 16/Cell were stronger but i don't think the difference was as great as you make it sound17 but not by much. Android 16 >>>>Android 17 & 18
I don't think 16 was that much stronger. There was a clear gap between 17/Piccolo and Cell before he started absorbing people and earthlings don't have that much power for his power level to rise to the point of completely dwarfing Piccolo's. Don't forget as well that they were fighting for a while, so were likely not as fit as at the beginning of fights, so sure 16/Cell were stronger but i don't think the difference was as great as you make it sound
Hm i will check for that statement of Gero(don't remember it), but i think Piccolo was just surprised by his power-up more than fear. Besides even if it was fear, it was fear about fighting someone stronger, but doesn't mean much stronger. I find it illogical that earthlings with barely 10units of power level could power-up millions of units of power level to the point of dwarfing another million unitsIt was! Lol. Remember DR. Gero telling the androids not to awaken him because he could destroy the whole planet. Piccolo was afraid of Cell when he got his power up from absorbing people, and then get got his ass almost killed. Android 16 then man handled the powered up cell like nothing. Android 17 even mentioned how android 16 could be so much more stronger than himself I believe.