iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 1.76 millimetres0.07 inches thinner and 24 grams0.85 ounces lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) manages to feel lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro (paid link) despite having a larger display, making it easier to carry all day. Both phones support the latest software, but the newer model offers significantly longer battery life and faster performance for a much higher price. If you need all-day endurance and the freshest hardware, pick the Air; otherwise the Pro is a sensible budget option.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 12 Pro
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 12 Pro
from $999 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 12 Pro: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.4 millimetres, 189 grams. iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
12 Pro, 17 Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 12 Pro
from $999 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 146.7 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 12 Pro 5.78 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 12 Pro 71.5 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 12 Pro 2.81 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 12 Pro 7.40 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 12 Pro 0.29 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 12 Pro 189 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 12 Pro 6.67 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 12 Pro | 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 146.7 millimetres5.78 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 9.5 millimetres more6.15 inches, 0.37 inches more |
| Width | 71.5 millimetres2.81 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 3.2 millimetres more2.94 inches, 0.13 inches more |
| Depth | 7.40 millimetres0.29 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 1.76 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.07 inches less |
| Weight | 189 grams6.67 ounces | 165 grams, 24 grams less5.82 ounces, 0.85 ounces less |
| Volume | 77.6 cubic centimetres4.74 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 11.8 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 0.72 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 86 percent | 90 percent, 4 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.1 inches | 6.5 inches, 0.4 inches more |
| Resolution | 1170 × 2532 | 1260 × 2736 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| 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. | 17 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. | 999 dollars | 999 dollars, the same |
| Released | Oct 2020 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 17 Air is 9.5 mm (0.37 in) taller, 3.2 mm (0.13 in) wider, 1.76 mm (0.07 in) thinner and 24 g (0.85 oz) lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro. The iPhone 12 Pro measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.40 mm (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.29 in) and weighs 189 g (6.67 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 taller and wider is the iPhone 17 Air than the iPhone 12 Pro?
The iPhone 17 Air is 9.5 mm taller and 3.2 mm wider than the iPhone 12 Pro.
Is the iPhone 17 Air lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air weighs 24 grams less than the iPhone 12 Pro.
What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch display, which is 0.4 inches larger than the iPhone 12 Pro.
Which phone is easier to use one handed?
The iPhone 12 Pro is easier to use one handed and better for small hands than the iPhone 17 Air.
Do these phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 17 Air both fit in a typical men's jeans pocket, but the iPhone 17 Air is more pocketable because it is thinner.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 12 Pro to the iPhone 17 Air worth it for size alone?
It depends on whether you prefer the larger screen and lighter weight of the iPhone 17 Air or the more compact size of the iPhone 12 Pro.