iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 9.5 millimetres0.37 inches taller and 1.76 millimetres0.07 inches thinner than the iPhone 12.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) trades a wider frame for a thinner body and far longer battery life. With the latest A19 Pro chip and USB‑C, it feels current even at list price, while the renewed iPhone 12 (paid link) remains a compact choice that still gets updates. Hold the 12 if you prize pocket fit today; the 17 Air is the better long‑term bet.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 12
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Not noticeable
iPhone 12
from $799 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: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.4 millimetres, 164 grams. iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
12, 17 Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 12
from $799 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: 12 146.7 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 12 5.78 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 12 71.5 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 12 2.81 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 12 7.40 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 12 0.29 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 12 164 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 12 5.78 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 12 | 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 | 164 grams5.78 ounces | 165 grams, 1 grams more5.82 ounces, 0.04 ounces more |
| 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 | 64 – 256 GB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 799 dollars | 999 dollars, 200 dollars more |
| 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 1 g (0.04 oz) heavier than the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.40 mm (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.29 in) and weighs 164 g (5.78 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).
Also compared with iPhone 12
Questions about these phones
How much taller and wider is the iPhone 17 Air compared to the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 17 Air is 9.5 mm taller and 3.2 mm wider than the iPhone 12.
Is the iPhone 17 Air heavier than the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 17 Air weighs 1 gram more than the iPhone 12, which is not a noticeable difference.
What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch display, which is 0.4 inch larger than the iPhone 12 screen.
Which phone is easier to use with one hand?
The iPhone 12 is easier to use with one hand compared to the iPhone 17 Air.
Do these phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket, but the iPhone 17 Air is rated as more pocketable.
Is upgrading to the iPhone 17 Air worth it for the size change alone?
Whether the size change is worth upgrading depends on your personal preferences.