iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
Quick answer
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is 2.61 millimetres0.10 inches thicker and 56 grams1.98 ounces heavier than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) brings a remarkably thin body that is instantly noticeable in the hand compared to the heavier iPhone 15 Pro Max (paid link). While the iPhone 17 Air feels effortless to carry, the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a much longer optical zoom. Choose the iPhone 17 Air for modern handling, or stick with the iPhone 15 Pro Max for the telephoto lens.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 17 Air
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: 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 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams. iPhone 15 Pro Max: 159.9 by 76.7 by 8.25 millimetres, 221 grams.
17 Air, 15 Pro Max 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 15 Pro Max
from $1,199 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 17 Air 156.2 millimetres, 15 Pro Max 159.9 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, 15 Pro Max 6.30 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, 15 Pro Max 76.7 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, 15 Pro Max 3.02 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, 15 Pro Max 8.25 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, 15 Pro Max 0.32 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, 15 Pro Max 221 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, 15 Pro Max 7.80 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 159.9 millimetres, 3.7 millimetres more6.30 inches, 0.15 inches more |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 76.7 millimetres, 2.0 millimetres more3.02 inches, 0.08 inches more |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 8.25 millimetres, 2.61 millimetres more0.32 inches, 0.10 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 221 grams, 56 grams more7.80 ounces, 1.98 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 101.2 cubic centimetres, 35.4 cubic centimetres more6.17 cubic inches, 2.16 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 90 percent, the same |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 6.7 inches, 0.2 inches more |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1290 × 2796 |
| 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 | A19 Pro | A17 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 29 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 | 256 GB – 1 TB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 999 dollars | 1,199 dollars, 200 dollars more |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Sep 2023 |
| Status | Current | Discontinued |
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Questions about these phones
How do the dimensions of the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 15 Pro Max compare?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is 3.7 mm taller, 2 mm wider, and 2.61 mm thicker than the iPhone 17 Air.
Is there a noticeable weight difference between the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is 56 g heavier than the iPhone 17 Air, making the iPhone 17 Air much lighter to hold.
Which phone has the larger screen between the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch display, while the iPhone 17 Air comes with a slightly smaller 6.5-inch screen.
Which device is easier to use with one hand, the iPhone 17 Air or the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The iPhone 17 Air is easier to handle with one hand and better suited for small hands compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Do both the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 15 Pro Max fit in a typical pocket?
Both models fit in a typical men's jeans pocket, but neither fits comfortably in a median women's jeans pocket.
How much thinner is the iPhone 17 Air compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The iPhone 17 Air has a depth of 5.64 mm, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro Max measures 8.25 mm deep.