iPhone 11 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 2.46 millimetres0.10 inches thinner and 61 grams2.15 ounces lighter than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) feels distinctively lighter and easier to manage in one hand than the iPhone 11 Pro Max (paid link). The older model remains on the oldest supported silicon, so it is probably next to stop receiving updates. Apple sells the 17 Air for $1099 new, and you get a significant performance bump and far better endurance.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 17 Air
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 11 Pro Max
from $1,099 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 17 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.4 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 11 Pro Max: 158 by 77.8 by 8.1 millimetres, 226 grams. iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
11 Pro Max, 17 Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 11 Pro Max
from $1,099 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 17 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 11 Pro Max 158.0 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 11 Pro Max 6.22 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 11 Pro Max 77.8 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 11 Pro Max 3.06 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 11 Pro Max 8.10 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 11 Pro Max 0.32 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 11 Pro Max 226 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 11 Pro Max 7.97 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 11 Pro Max | 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 158.0 millimetres6.22 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 1.8 millimetres less6.15 inches, 0.07 inches less |
| Width | 77.8 millimetres3.06 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 3.1 millimetres less2.94 inches, 0.12 inches less |
| Depth | 8.10 millimetres0.32 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 2.46 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.10 inches less |
| Weight | 226 grams7.97 ounces | 165 grams, 61 grams less5.82 ounces, 2.15 ounces less |
| Volume | 99.6 cubic centimetres6.08 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 33.8 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 2.06 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 84 percent | 90 percent, 6 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 6.5 inches, the same |
| Resolution | 1242 × 2688 | 1260 × 2736 |
| Pixel density | 458 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, 2 pixels per inch more |
| Cutout | Notch | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A13 Bionic | A19 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 20 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 64 – 512 GB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 1,099 dollars | 999 dollars, 100 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2019 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 17 Air is 1.8 mm (0.07 in) shorter, 3.1 mm (0.12 in) narrower, 2.46 mm (0.10 in) thinner and 61 g (2.15 oz) lighter than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. The iPhone 11 Pro Max measures 158.0 × 77.8 × 8.10 mm (6.22 × 3.06 × 0.32 in) and weighs 226 g (7.97 oz). The iPhone 17 Air measures 156.2 × 74.7 × 5.64 mm (6.15 × 2.94 × 0.22 in) and weighs 165 g (5.82 oz).
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Questions about these phones
How much smaller is the iPhone 17 Air than the iPhone 11 Pro Max?
The iPhone 17 Air is 1.8 mm shorter and 3.1 mm narrower than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. It is also 2.5 mm thinner in depth.
Is the iPhone 17 Air lighter than the iPhone 11 Pro Max?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air is 61 g lighter than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. This weight difference is noticeable when holding the devices.
Do the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 11 Pro Max have the same screen size?
Both the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 11 Pro Max have a 6.5 inch display. The iPhone 17 Air has a more modern screen ratio.
Which phone is better for one-handed use?
The iPhone 17 Air is easier to use one-handed than the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Its narrower width makes it more comfortable for smaller hands.
Does the iPhone 17 Air fit in jeans pockets better than the iPhone 11 Pro Max?
Both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket but not a women's. The iPhone 17 Air is more pocketable because it is thinner.
Is upgrading to the iPhone 17 Air worth it for size alone?
Yes, the size-only upgrade is worth it if you want a lighter and smaller phone. The iPhone 17 Air is significantly lighter and more comfortable to carry.