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Smartphone comparison

iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Compare cameras, battery, screen and everyday features.

Compared products
01Selected
iPhone 17 Air

iPhone 17 Air

  • 165 g.
  • About 6.5 inch screen.
  • Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) processor.
  • 12 GB RAM in this version.
  • Storage: NVMe.
Out of Stock
02
iPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB

iPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB

  • 249 g.
  • About 6.9 inch screen.
  • Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) processor.
  • 12 GB RAM in this version.
  • 1,024 GB storage in this version.
KSh 328,500In Stock
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iPhone AirKSh 123,000
iPhone 15 ProKSh 84,500
Samsung Galaxy S25 5GKSh 76,000
OnePlus 13s 5GKSh 77,000
Google Pixel 9KSh 74,000
Samsung Galaxy S24 PlusKSh 82,000
Google Pixel 8 ProKSh 62,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

With the same 12 GB of RAM, IP68 rating and 48 MP main camera, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has a larger listed battery (5,391–5,567 mAh depending on version), optical zoom, 4K recording at up to 120 fps and a larger 6.9-inch screen, while the iPhone 17 Air has a premium titanium build with a glass back and is lighter (165 g) and slimmer.

Weight

iPhone 17 Air
165 g
iPhone 18 Pro Max
249 g

Display

iPhone 17 Air
About 6.5 inch screen
iPhone 18 Pro Max
About 6.9 inch screen

Performance

iPhone 17 Air
Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) processor
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) processor

Software

iPhone 17 Air
Runs iOS 26, upgradable to iOS 26.6
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Runs iOS 27

Storage

iPhone 17 Air
Up to 1 TB storage
iPhone 18 Pro Max
1 TB storage

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

iPhone 17 Air

  • Titanium frame and glass back (vs aluminium frame).
  • Lighter: 165 g (vs 249 g).
  • Slimmer: 5.6 mm thick (vs 8.8 mm).

iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • Larger listed battery: 5,391–5,567 mAh depending on version (vs 3,149 mAh).
  • Telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom.
  • Larger 6.9-inch screen (vs 6.5-inch).
  • Newer A20 Pro chip (vs A19 Pro).
  • Higher frame rates for 4K recording: up to 120 fps (vs 60 fps).
  • Stereo speakers.

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 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max
Display6.5-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 460 ppi6.9-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 460 ppi
Camera48 MP main camera with OIS48 MP main camera with OIS, plus a 4x telephoto camera
PerformanceApple A19 Pro processorApple A20 Pro processor
StorageUp to 1 TB storage1 TB storage
Battery capacity3,149 mAh batteryMarket-dependent versions:
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 minWired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 15 min

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
BrandAppleApple
ModeliPhone AirApple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Announced2025, September 092026, September 09
Device type / form family—Smartphone
Release status—Available. Released 2026, September 18
Model numbers—A3717, A3473, A3716, A3718
Performance benchmarks—AnTuTu: 3463072 (v11); GeekBench: 12794 (v6), 11558 (v7); 3DMark: 7931 (Wild Life Extreme)
Measured display brightness—969 nits max brightness (measured)
Measured loudspeaker loudness—-25.0 LUFS (Very good)
Battery test—Active use score 19:20h
EU label energy—Class A
EU label battery—62:00h endurance, 1000 cycles
EU label free fall—Class B (180 falls)
EU label repairability—Class C

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
Dimensions156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm (6.15 x 2.94 x 0.22 in)163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight165 g (5.82 oz)249 g (8.78 oz)
Build materialsGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), titanium frame (grade 5), glass back (Ceramic Shield)Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield)

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
DisplayLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED; 6.5 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak); 6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Screen resolution1260 x 2736 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Display protectionCeramic Shield 2, Mohs level 5; anti-reflective coatingCeramic Shield 2
Display features120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)Anti-reflective coating
Display technology—LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Display size—6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Refresh rate—120Hz
Brightness—1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
HDR formats—HDR10, Dolby Vision
Pixel density—~460 ppi
Aspect ratio—19.5:9 ratio
Screen-to-body ratio—~90.7% screen-to-body ratio

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
ProcessorApple A19 Pro (3 nm)Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
CPUHexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4x2.60 GHz)Hexa-core (2x4.93 GHz + 4x2.64 GHz)
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Apple GPU (7-core graphics)
Process node—2 nm

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
RAM12GB12GB
Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB1TB
Storage technologyNVMeNVMe
Expandable storageNoNo
Memory configurations—256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 2TB 12GB RAM

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
Rear camera48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS48 MP, f/1.5-4.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS (gen2); 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom; 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF; TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
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), Cinematic from regular video
Rear camera video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, 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., ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2
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 camera—48 MP, f/1.5-4.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS (gen2)
Periscope telephoto camera—48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom
Ultra-wide camera—48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF
Additional rear cameras—TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
BatteryLi-Ion 3149 mAhMarket-dependent versions:; · Li-Ion 5391 mAh - Nano SIM model; · Li-Ion 5567 mAh - eSIM only model
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min; wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China); 4.5W reverse wiredWired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 15 min; 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China); 4.5W reverse wired
Battery technology—Li-Ion
Wireless charging—25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China)
Reverse charging—4.5W reverse wired

Software

Software specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
Operating systemiOS 26, upgradable to iOS 26.6iOS 27

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
NetworkGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
SIMeSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time)· 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 + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; China)
2G bands—GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands—HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands—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, 53, 66, 106 - A3717; 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 - A3473; 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, 106 - A3716; 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, 106 - A3718
5G bands—1, 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 - A3717; 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 - A3473; 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 - A3716; 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 - A3718
Network speed—HSPA, LTE, 5G

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
NFCYesYes
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE6.0, A2DP, LE
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort
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 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
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 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
ColorsSpace Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky BlueBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
LoudspeakersYesYes, with stereo speakers
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo

Similarities

  • Both have 12 GB RAM.
  • Both have 120 Hz displays.
  • Both are rated IP68.
  • Both have optical image stabilisation.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 7.
  • Both use Bluetooth 6.0.

In summary

For most buyers the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better buy; the iPhone 17 Air makes sense if you want a premium titanium build with a glass back.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

iPhone 15 ProFor iPhone 17 AiriPhone 15 ProView product ↗Samsung Galaxy S24 PlusFor iPhone 17 AirSamsung Galaxy S24 PlusView product ↗Samsung Galaxy Z TriFoldFor iPhone 18 Pro Max 1TBSamsung Galaxy Z TriFoldView product ↗iPhone 18 Pro 512GBFor iPhone 18 Pro Max 1TBiPhone 18 Pro 512GBView product ↗

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