iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16
Quick answer
The iPhone 16 is 8.6 millimetres0.34 inches shorter and 2.16 millimetres0.09 inches thicker than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 16 on Amazon (paid link) is noticeably easier to manage in one hand and slips into pockets more naturally due to its smaller footprint. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air (paid link) trades that compact feel for an exceptionally thin build and a larger display that simply lasts longer away from the charger. If you prefer a smaller device that is easier to handle, stick with the iPhone 16.
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 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams. iPhone 16: 147.6 by 71.6 by 7.8 millimetres, 170 grams.
17 Air, 16 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 16
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 17 Air 156.2 millimetres, 16 147.6 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, 16 5.81 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, 16 71.6 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, 16 2.82 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, 16 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, 16 0.31 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, 16 170 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, 16 6.00 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 147.6 millimetres, 8.6 millimetres less5.81 inches, 0.34 inches less |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 71.6 millimetres, 3.1 millimetres less2.82 inches, 0.12 inches less |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 7.80 millimetres, 2.16 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.09 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 170 grams, 5 grams more6.00 ounces, 0.18 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 82.4 cubic centimetres, 16.6 cubic centimetres more5.03 cubic inches, 1.01 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 87 percent, 3 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 6.1 inches, 0.4 inches less |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1179 × 2556 |
| 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 | A18 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 22 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 | 128 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 999 dollars | 799 dollars, 200 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Sep 2024 |
| Status | Current | Current |
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Questions about these phones
How do the dimensions of the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 compare?
The iPhone 17 Air is 156.2 mm high and 74.7 mm wide, while the iPhone 16 is 147.6 mm high and 71.6 mm wide. This makes the iPhone 16 about 8.6 mm shorter and 3.1 mm narrower than the iPhone 17 Air.
Which phone is thinner, the iPhone 17 Air or the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 17 Air has a depth of 5.64 mm, making it noticeably slimmer than the iPhone 16, which measures 7.8 mm deep.
Is there a significant difference in weight between the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 g and the iPhone 16 weighs 170 g, resulting in a minor 5 g difference that is not typically noticeable in daily use.
How do the screen sizes of the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 16 differ?
The iPhone 17 Air features a larger 6.5-inch display, compared to the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 16.
Which phone is easier to use with one hand?
The iPhone 16 is easier to use with one hand and better suited for small hands due to its more compact frame.
Do both the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 16 fit in a pocket?
Both models fit comfortably inside a typical men's jeans pocket, though neither is designed to fit easily into median women's jeans pockets.