iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 8.6 millimetres0.34 inches taller and 2.16 millimetres0.09 inches thinner than the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) brings a striking profile and noticeably smoother scrolling, whereas the iPhone 16 (paid link) remains easier to manage in one hand. You will appreciate the extra display space and battery life on the iPhone 17 Air, but Apple sells it for a higher price now. Choose the iPhone 16 if you prefer a smaller footprint.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 16
Pocket: iPhone 16
Weight difference: Not noticeable
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 16: 147.6 by 71.6 by 7.8 millimetres, 170 grams. iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
16, 17 Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 16
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (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: 16 147.6 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 16 5.81 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 16 71.6 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 16 2.82 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 16 7.80 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 16 0.31 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 16 170 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 16 6.00 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 16 | 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 147.6 millimetres5.81 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 8.6 millimetres more6.15 inches, 0.34 inches more |
| Width | 71.6 millimetres2.82 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 3.1 millimetres more2.94 inches, 0.12 inches more |
| Depth | 7.80 millimetres0.31 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 2.16 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.09 inches less |
| Weight | 170 grams6.00 ounces | 165 grams, 5 grams less5.82 ounces, 0.18 ounces less |
| Volume | 82.4 cubic centimetres5.03 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 16.6 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 1.01 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. | 6.1 inches | 6.5 inches, 0.4 inches more |
| Resolution | 1179 × 2556 | 1260 × 2736 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A18 | A19 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 22 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 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. | 799 dollars | 999 dollars, 200 dollars more |
| Released | Sep 2024 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Current | Current |
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Questions about these phones
How do the dimensions of the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 Air compare?
The iPhone 17 Air is 8.6 mm taller and 3.1 mm wider than the iPhone 16. It also features a noticeably thinner profile at 5.64 mm deep compared to the 7.8 mm depth of the iPhone 16.
Which phone is lighter between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 g, which is 5 g lighter than the 170 g iPhone 16. However, this small weight difference is generally not noticeable in daily use.
Which model is better for one-handed use and smaller hands?
The iPhone 16 is easier to use with one hand and better suited for smaller hands due to its more compact footprint. The iPhone 17 Air is larger with its 6.5-inch display compared to the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 16.
Do both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 Air fit into pockets easily?
Both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 Air fit comfortably into a typical men's jeans pocket. Neither model fits well in a median women's jeans pocket.
What are the screen sizes of the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 17 Air is equipped with a larger 6.5-inch display.
Is the iPhone 17 Air a worthwhile size upgrade from the iPhone 16?
Switching for size depends on whether you prefer a more compact device or a larger screen with a thinner build. The iPhone 16 remains the more compact choice, while the iPhone 17 Air provides a larger display area in a remarkably thin design.