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Smartphone comparison

iPhone 17 vs iPhone Air

Compare cameras, battery, screen and everyday features.

Compared products
01Selected
iPhone 17

iPhone 17

  • 177 g.
  • About 6.3 inch screen.
  • Apple A19 (3 nm) processor.
  • 8 GB RAM in this version.
  • Storage: NVMe.
KSh 117,000In 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 16 PlusKSh 111,000
Samsung Galaxy S26 PlusKSh 112,000
Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraKSh 121,000
Google Pixel 9 Pro XLKSh 109,000
Google Pixel 10 Pro XLKSh 125,000
OnePlus Ace 5 ProKSh 120,500
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 17 has a bigger battery (3,692 mAh), offers video output to a monitor over USB-C and has stereo speakers, while the iPhone Air has more RAM (12 GB), a more powerful A19 Pro chip, a larger 6.5-inch screen and a premium titanium build with a glass back.

Weight

iPhone 17
177 g
iPhone Air
165 g

Display

iPhone 17
About 6.3 inch screen
iPhone Air
About 6.5 inch screen

Performance

iPhone 17
Apple A19 (3 nm) processor
iPhone Air
Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) processor

Memory

iPhone 17
8 GB RAM in this version
iPhone Air
12 GB RAM in this version

Battery capacity

iPhone 17
3,692 mAh battery capacity
iPhone Air
3,149 mAh battery capacity

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

iPhone 17

  • Bigger battery: 3,692 mAh (vs 3,149 mAh).
  • 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).
  • Larger 6.5-inch screen (vs 6.3-inch).
  • More powerful A19 Pro chip (vs A19).
  • Titanium frame and glass back (vs aluminium frame and glass back).
  • Lighter: 165 g (vs 177 g).
  • Slimmer: 5.6 mm thick (vs 8 mm).

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 17iPhone Air
Display6.3-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 460 ppi6.5-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 460 ppi
PerformanceApple A19 processorApple A19 Pro processor
Memory8 GB RAM12 GB RAM
StorageUp to 512 GB storageUp to 1 TB storage
Battery capacity3,692 mAh battery3,149 mAh battery
ChargingWired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 20 minWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17iPhone Air
BrandAppleApple
ModelApple iPhone 17Apple iPhone Air
Announced2025, September 092025, September 09
Device type / form familySmartphoneSmartphone
Release statusAvailable. Released 2025, September 19Available. Released 2025, September 19
Model numbersiPhone18,3, A3520, A3258, A3519, A3521iPhone18,4, A3517, A3260, A3518, A3516
SAR (US)1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR (EU)1.49 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body)1.49 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body)
Performance benchmarksAnTuTu: 2109773 (v10); GeekBench: 9360 (v6); 3DMark: 4803 (Wild Life Extreme)—
Measured display brightness1012 nits max brightness (measured)998 nits max brightness (measured)
Measured loudspeaker loudness-27.5 LUFS (Good)-29.8 LUFS (Average)
Battery testActive use score 14:59hActive use score 12:44h
EU label energyClass AClass A
EU label battery41:00h endurance, 1000 cycles40:00h endurance, 1000 cycles
EU label free fallClass B (180 falls)Class B (180 falls)
EU label repairabilityClass CClass C

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17iPhone Air
Dimensions149.6 x 71.5 x 8 mm (5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in)156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm (6.15 x 2.94 x 0.22 in)
Weight177 g (6.24 oz)165 g (5.82 oz)
Build materialsGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), titanium frame (grade 5), glass back (Ceramic Shield)

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17iPhone Air
DisplayLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak); 6.3 inches, 96.4 cm2 (~90.1% 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 resolution1206 x 2622 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1260 x 2736 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Display protectionCeramic Shield 2Ceramic Shield 2
Display featuresAnti-reflective coatingAnti-reflective coating
Display technologyLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Display size6.3 inches, 96.4 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Refresh rate120Hz120Hz
Brightness1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)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~90.1% screen-to-body ratio~89.9% screen-to-body ratio

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17iPhone Air
ProcessorApple A19 (3 nm)Apple A19 Pro (3 nm)
CPUHexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4x2.60 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 17iPhone Air
RAM8GB12GB
Storage256GB, 512GB256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Storage technologyNVMeNVMe
Expandable storageNoNo
Memory configurations256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17iPhone Air
Rear camera48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS; 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
Front camera18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), 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 camera48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF—

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17iPhone Air
BatteryLi-Ion 3692 mAhLi-Ion 3149 mAh
ChargingWired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 20 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 17iPhone Air
Operating systemiOS 26, upgradable to iOS 27iOS 26, upgradable to iOS 27

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17iPhone 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 - A3520; 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 - A3258; 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 - A3519; 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 - A35211, 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, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3520; 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, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3258; 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 - A3519; 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 - A35211, 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 17iPhone Air
NFCYesYes
Bluetooth6.0, 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 (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICGPS, 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 17iPhone 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 17iPhone Air
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
ColorsBlack, White, Mist Blue, Sage, LavenderSpace Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17iPhone Air
LoudspeakersYes, with stereo speakersYes
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo

Similarities

  • Both have 120 Hz displays.
  • Both are rated IP68.
  • Both have optical image stabilisation.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 7.
  • Both use Bluetooth 6.0.
  • Both have NFC.

In summary

Get the iPhone 17 if you want a bigger battery and video output to a monitor over USB-C, or the iPhone Air if you would rather have more RAM and a more powerful A19 Pro chip.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7For iPhone 17Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7View product ↗Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraFor iPhone 17Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraView product ↗iPhone 16 ProFor iPhone AiriPhone 16 ProView product ↗iPhone 16 PlusFor iPhone AiriPhone 16 PlusView product ↗

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