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Smartphone comparison

iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air

Compare cameras, battery, screen and everyday features.

Compared products
01Selected
iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 Plus

  • 199 g.
  • About 6.7 inch screen.
  • Apple A18 (3 nm) processor.
  • 8 GB RAM in this version.
  • Storage: NVMe.
KSh 111,000In Stock
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02
iPhone Air

iPhone Air

  • 165 g.
  • About 6.5 inch screen.
  • Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) processor.
  • 12 GB RAM in this version.
  • Storage: NVMe.
KSh 123,000In Stock
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iPhone 17KSh 117,000
iPhone 15 PlusKSh 104,000
Samsung Galaxy S26 PlusKSh 116,000
Samsung Galaxy S26KSh 102,000
Google Pixel 9 Pro XLKSh 109,000
Google Pixel 11 256GBKSh 101,000
Honor 600 Pro 5GKSh 100,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

With the same IP68 rating and 48 MP main camera, the iPhone 16 Plus has a much bigger battery (4,674 mAh) and a larger 6.7-inch screen and offers video output to a monitor over USB-C, while the iPhone Air has more RAM (12 GB), a newer, faster A19 Pro chip, a brighter screen for outdoor use and sharper selfies (18 MP).

Weight

iPhone 16 Plus
199 g
iPhone Air
165 g

Display

iPhone 16 Plus
About 6.7 inch screen
iPhone Air
About 6.5 inch screen

Performance

iPhone 16 Plus
Apple A18 (3 nm) processor
iPhone Air
Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) processor

Memory

iPhone 16 Plus
8 GB RAM in this version
iPhone Air
12 GB RAM in this version

Battery capacity

iPhone 16 Plus
4,674 mAh battery capacity
iPhone Air
3,149 mAh battery capacity

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

iPhone 16 Plus

  • Bigger battery: 4,674 mAh (vs 3,149 mAh).
  • Larger 6.7-inch screen (vs 6.5-inch).
  • Stereo speakers.
  • Video output to an external display over USB-C.
  • Video output to a monitor over USB-C (DisplayPort).

iPhone Air

  • More memory: 12 GB RAM (vs 8 GB).
  • Newer A19 Pro chip (vs A18).
  • Brighter display: up to 3,000 nits (vs 2,000).
  • Newer Bluetooth 6.0 (vs 5.3).
  • Higher-resolution selfie camera: 18 MP (vs 12 MP).
  • Titanium frame and glass back (vs aluminium frame and glass back).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
Display6.7-inch OLED display, 460 ppi6.5-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 460 ppi
PerformanceApple A18 processorApple A19 Pro processor
Memory8 GB RAM12 GB RAM
StorageUp to 512 GB storageUp to 1 TB storage
Battery capacity4,674 mAh battery3,149 mAh battery
Weight199 g165 g

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
BrandAppleApple
ModelApple iPhone 16 PlusApple iPhone Air
Announced2024, September 092025, September 09
Device type / form familySmartphoneSmartphone
Release statusAvailable. Released 2024, September 20Available. Released 2025, September 19
Model numbersA3290, A3082, A3289, A3291, iPhone17,4iPhone18,4, A3517, A3260, A3518, A3516
SAR (US)1.13 W/kg (head) 1.16 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR (EU)1.24 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body)1.49 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body)
Performance benchmarksAnTuTu: 1727276 (v10); GeekBench: 7927 (v6); 3DMark: 4324 (Wild Life Extreme)—
Measured display brightness1823 nits max brightness (measured)998 nits max brightness (measured)
Measured loudspeaker loudness-25.2 LUFS (Very good)-29.8 LUFS (Average)
Battery testActive use score 18:49hActive use score 12:44h
EU label energyClass BClass A
EU label battery48:00h endurance, 1000 cycles40:00h endurance, 1000 cycles
EU label free fallClass C (90 falls)Class B (180 falls)
EU label repairabilityClass CClass C

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
Dimensions160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm (6.15 x 2.94 x 0.22 in)
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)165 g (5.82 oz)
Build materialsGlass front (Ceramic Shield), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), titanium frame (grade 5), glass back (Ceramic Shield)

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
DisplaySuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM); 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak); 6.5 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Screen resolution1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1260 x 2736 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Display protectionCeramic Shield glass (2024 gen)Ceramic Shield 2
Display featuresHDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)Anti-reflective coating
Display technologySuper Retina XDR OLEDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Display size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Brightness1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
HDR formatsHDR10, Dolby VisionHDR10, Dolby Vision
Pixel density~460 ppi~460 ppi
Aspect ratio19.5:9 ratio19.5:9 ratio
Screen-to-body ratio~88.0% screen-to-body ratio~89.9% screen-to-body ratio
Refresh rate—120Hz

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
ProcessorApple A18 (3 nm)Apple A19 Pro (3 nm)
CPUHexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz)Hexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4x2.60 GHz)
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
Process node3 nm3 nm

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
RAM8GB12GB
Storage128GB, 256GB, 512GB256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Storage technologyNVMeNVMe
Expandable storageNoNo
Memory configurations128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
Rear camera48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS; 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
Front camera12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF; SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), PDAF; SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Rear camera featuresDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Rear camera video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.
Front camera featuresHDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec.HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec.
Front camera video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Wide camera48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
Ultra-wide camera12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF—

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
BatteryLi-Ion 4674 mAhLi-Ion 3149 mAh
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min; 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China); 4.5W reverse wiredWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min; 20 wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China); 4.5W reverse wired
Battery technologyLi-IonLi-Ion
Wireless charging25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China)20 wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China)
Reverse charging4.5W reverse wired4.5W reverse wired

Software

Software specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
Operating systemiOS 18, upgradable to iOS 27iOS 26, upgradable to iOS 27

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
NetworkGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International); · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA); · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time)
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900; CDMA 800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900; CDMA 800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100; CDMA2000 1xEV-DOHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100; CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3290; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3082; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3289; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - A32911, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3517; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3260; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - A3518
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3290; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3082; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3289; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A32911, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3517; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3260; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3518
Network speedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
NFCYesYes
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE6.0, A2DP, LE
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 2.0
Ultra Wideband (UWB)Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip)Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip)
Satellite featuresEmergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satelliteEmergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite

Durability

Durability specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
Water resistanceIP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min)IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min)

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
ColorsBlack, White, Pink, Teal, UltramarineSpace Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 16 PlusiPhone Air
LoudspeakersYes, with stereo speakersYes
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo

Similarities

  • Both are rated IP68.
  • Both have optical image stabilisation.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 7.
  • Both have NFC.
  • Both have OLED displays.
  • Both support 5G networks.

In summary

Get the iPhone 16 Plus if you want a much bigger battery and a larger 6.7-inch screen, or the iPhone Air if you would rather have more RAM and a newer, faster A19 Pro chip.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraFor iPhone 16 PlusSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraView product ↗Google Pixel 9 Pro XLFor iPhone 16 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLView product ↗iPhone 17For iPhone AiriPhone 17View product ↗Samsung Galaxy S26 PlusFor iPhone AirSamsung Galaxy S26 PlusView product ↗

Related comparisons

iPhone 16 PlusiPhone 17iPhone 17iPhone AiriPhone AirSamsung Galaxy S26 PlusGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLiPhone AiriPhone 17Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus
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