iPhone 12 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 1.76 millimetres0.07 inches thinner and 63 grams2.22 ounces lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) feels much lighter and slimmer in the hand, offering a welcome change from the bulkier 12 Pro Max (paid link). While both receive the latest software, the Air delivers noticeably longer battery life and a faster chip for a higher upfront cost. Pick the Air if you value portability, or stick with the 12 Pro Max if you want to save money.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 17 Air
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 12 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 · 1.3 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 12 Pro Max: 160.8 by 78.1 by 7.4 millimetres, 228 grams. iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
12 Pro Max, 17 Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 12 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: 12 Pro Max 160.8 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 12 Pro Max 6.33 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 12 Pro Max 78.1 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 12 Pro Max 3.07 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 12 Pro Max 7.40 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 12 Pro Max 0.29 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 12 Pro Max 228 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 12 Pro Max 8.04 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 12 Pro Max | 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 160.8 millimetres6.33 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 4.6 millimetres less6.15 inches, 0.18 inches less |
| Width | 78.1 millimetres3.07 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 3.4 millimetres less2.94 inches, 0.13 inches less |
| Depth | 7.40 millimetres0.29 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 1.76 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.07 inches less |
| Weight | 228 grams8.04 ounces | 165 grams, 63 grams less5.82 ounces, 2.22 ounces less |
| Volume | 92.9 cubic centimetres5.67 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 27.1 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 1.66 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 87 percent | 90 percent, 3 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.7 inches | 6.5 inches, 0.2 inches less |
| Resolution | 1284 × 2778 | 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 | A14 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 | 128 – 512 GB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 1,099 dollars | 999 dollars, 100 dollars less |
| Released | Nov 2020 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 17 Air is 4.6 mm (0.18 in) shorter, 3.4 mm (0.13 in) narrower, 1.76 mm (0.07 in) thinner and 63 g (2.22 oz) lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro Max measures 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.40 mm (6.33 × 3.07 × 0.29 in) and weighs 228 g (8.04 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 compared to the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 17 Air is 4.6 mm shorter and 3.4 mm narrower than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It also has a 6.5-inch screen which is slightly smaller than the 6.7-inch display on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Is the iPhone 17 Air lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air is 63 grams lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 grams while the iPhone 12 Pro Max weighs 228 grams.
Which phone has a bigger screen between these two models?
The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display compared to the 6.5-inch screen on the iPhone 17 Air. Both devices offer similar resolution quality for daily tasks.
Is the iPhone 17 Air easier to use with one hand than the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
The iPhone 17 Air is easier for one-handed use than the iPhone 12 Pro Max due to its smaller body dimensions. Its narrower width makes it more manageable for an average adult hand.
Do these phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 12 Pro Max fit in a typical men's jeans pocket. The iPhone 17 Air is considered more pocketable because of its reduced size and weight.
Is the size difference worth an upgrade from the iPhone 12 Pro Max to the iPhone 17 Air?
The verdict depends on your priorities since the iPhone 17 Air offers a lighter and thinner body for less screen area. You will trade the larger display of the iPhone 12 Pro Max for improved portability.