iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 12 Pro
Quick answer
The iPhone 12 Pro is 1.76 millimetres0.07 inches thicker and 24 grams0.85 ounces heavier than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) is thinner and lighter, though wider and taller than the iPhone 12 Pro (paid link). You will notice the battery life gap immediately, getting far more screen time than the older model. While the 12 Pro renewed is a budget steal, the 17 Air is worth the cash for daily comfort and endurance.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 12 Pro
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 17 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 12 Pro
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (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 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams. iPhone 12 Pro: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.4 millimetres, 189 grams.
17 Air, 12 Pro shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 17 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 12 Pro
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 17 Air 156.2 millimetres, 12 Pro 146.7 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, 12 Pro 5.78 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, 12 Pro 71.5 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, 12 Pro 2.81 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, 12 Pro 7.40 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, 12 Pro 0.29 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, 12 Pro 189 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, 12 Pro 6.67 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 146.7 millimetres, 9.5 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.37 inches less |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 71.5 millimetres, 3.2 millimetres less2.81 inches, 0.13 inches less |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 7.40 millimetres, 1.76 millimetres more0.29 inches, 0.07 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 189 grams, 24 grams more6.67 ounces, 0.85 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 77.6 cubic centimetres, 11.8 cubic centimetres more4.74 cubic inches, 0.72 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 86 percent, 4 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 6.1 inches, 0.4 inches less |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1170 × 2532 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A19 Pro | A14 Bionic |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 17 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 1 TB | 128 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 999 dollars | 999 dollars, the same |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Oct 2020 |
| Status | Current | Legacy |
Dimensions
The iPhone 12 Pro is 9.5 mm (0.37 in) shorter, 3.2 mm (0.13 in) narrower, 1.76 mm (0.07 in) thicker and 24 g (0.85 oz) heavier than the iPhone 17 Air. 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). 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).
Also compared with iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17e
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone Duo
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16e
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Pro
Questions about these phones
How much taller and wider is iPhone 17 Air than iPhone 12 Pro?
iPhone 17 Air is 9.5 mm taller and 3.2 mm wider than iPhone 12 Pro. The screen on iPhone 17 Air is 0.4 inches larger than on iPhone 12 Pro.
Which is lighter, iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 12 Pro?
iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 grams while iPhone 12 Pro weighs 189 grams. The weight difference is 24 grams with iPhone 17 Air being lighter.
Is the screen on iPhone 17 Air bigger than iPhone 12 Pro?
iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch display compared to the 6.1 inch screen on iPhone 12 Pro. Both models share the same pixel density of 460 ppi.
Which phone is easier to use one-handed?
iPhone 12 Pro is easier to use one-handed than iPhone 17 Air. iPhone 12 Pro is better for small hands according to ergonomic reviews.
Do these phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both fit in a typical men's jeans pocket but iPhone 17 Air is more pocketable. iPhone 12 Pro is heavier and thicker which impacts pocket ease.
Is upgrading from iPhone 12 Pro to iPhone 17 Air worth it for size?
Whether the upgrade is worthwhile depends on if you want a larger screen. The size alone may not be worthwhile for everyone.