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iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Air

Quick answer

The iPhone 17 Air is 2.16 millimetres0.09 inches thinner and 34 grams1.20 ounces lighter than the iPhone 16 Plus.

The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) cuts down on bulk dramatically, making it noticeably lighter and easier to handle than the iPhone 16 Plus (paid link). You trade a bit of screen space for a remarkably thin build that slips into pockets much more comfortably. If you want maximum screen estate for media, stick with the larger model, but the Air wins on sheer ergonomics.

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Easier one-handediPhone 17 Air

PocketiPhone 17 Air

Weight differenceNoticeable

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HeightWidthDepthWeight16 Plus160.9 millimetres6.33 inches77.8 millimetres3.06 inches7.80 millimetres0.31 inches199 grams7.02 ounces17 Air156.2 millimetres, 4.7 millimetres less6.15 inches, 0.19 inches less74.7 millimetres, 3.1 millimetres less2.94 inches, 0.12 inches less5.64 millimetres, 2.16 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.09 inches less165 grams, 34 grams less5.82 ounces, 1.20 ounces less

Height: 16 Plus 160.9 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 16 Plus 6.33 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 16 Plus 77.8 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 16 Plus 3.06 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 16 Plus 7.80 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 16 Plus 0.31 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 16 Plus 199 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 16 Plus 7.02 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.

Specifications

Specifications for iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 17 Air. Differences are given against iPhone 16 Plus.
Specification16 Plus17 Air
Height160.9 millimetres6.33 inches156.2 millimetres, 4.7 millimetres less6.15 inches, 0.19 inches less
Width77.8 millimetres3.06 inches74.7 millimetres, 3.1 millimetres less2.94 inches, 0.12 inches less
Depth7.80 millimetres0.31 inches5.64 millimetres, 2.16 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.09 inches less
Weight199 grams7.02 ounces165 grams, 34 grams less5.82 ounces, 1.20 ounces less
Volume97.6 cubic centimetres5.96 cubic inches65.8 cubic centimetres, 31.8 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 1.94 cubic inches less
Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure.88 percent90 percent, 2 percent more
Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches.6.7 inches6.5 inches, 0.2 inches less
Resolution1290 × 27961260 × 2736
Pixel density460 pixels per inch460 pixels per inch, the same
CutoutDynamic IslandDynamic Island
Rear main48MP48MP
Rear ultra-wide——
Rear telephoto——
Front camera12MP12MP
ChipA18A19 Pro
Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity.27 hrs27 hrs
PortUSB-CUSB-C
Wireless5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth
Water resistanceIP68 (6m for 30 min)IP68 (6m for 30 min)
Storage128 – 512 GB256 GB – 1 TB
Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars.899 dollars999 dollars, 100 dollars more
ReleasedSep 2024Sep 2025
StatusCurrentCurrent

Also compared with iPhone 16 Plus

Questions about these phones

How do the dimensions of the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Air compare?

The iPhone 17 Air is 4.7 mm shorter, 3.1 mm narrower, and 2.16 mm thinner than the iPhone 16 Plus.

Is the weight difference between the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Air noticeable?

Yes, the iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 grams, which makes it 34 grams lighter than the 199-gram iPhone 16 Plus.

Which phone has the larger screen size between the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Air?

The iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch display, while the iPhone 17 Air comes with a slightly smaller 6.5-inch screen.

Are both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Air easy to use with one hand?

The iPhone 17 Air is easier to handle with one hand and better suited for smaller hands compared to the iPhone 16 Plus.

Do the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 17 Air fit comfortably in pockets?

Both models fit in a typical men's jeans pocket, but neither fits comfortably in a typical women's jeans pocket, with the iPhone 17 Air offering a more pocketable slim profile.

Is upgrading from the iPhone 16 Plus to the iPhone 17 Air worth it for the size change?

Whether the size-only upgrade is worth it depends on your preference for a significantly slimmer and lighter build versus a larger display area.