iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Pro
Quick answer
The iPhone 16 Pro is 2.61 millimetres0.10 inches thicker and 34 grams1.20 ounces heavier than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) cuts down on weight in a way you will notice immediately in your pocket, though its taller frame makes one-handed reach a bit of a stretch compared to the iPhone 16 Pro (paid link). The iPhone 16 Pro offers a more compact grip and much more versatile cameras, but the iPhone 17 Air leans entirely into a featherlight design. Choose the iPhone 17 Air for the physical carry, or stick with the iPhone 16 Pro for the optics.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 16 Pro
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 16 Pro: 149.6 by 71.5 by 8.25 millimetres, 199 grams.
17 Air, 16 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 16 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, 16 Pro 149.6 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, 16 Pro 5.89 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, 16 Pro 71.5 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, 16 Pro 2.81 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, 16 Pro 8.25 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, 16 Pro 0.32 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, 16 Pro 199 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, 16 Pro 7.02 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 149.6 millimetres, 6.6 millimetres less5.89 inches, 0.26 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 | 8.25 millimetres, 2.61 millimetres more0.32 inches, 0.10 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 199 grams, 34 grams more7.02 ounces, 1.20 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 88.2 cubic centimetres, 22.4 cubic centimetres more5.39 cubic inches, 1.37 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 | 6.3 inches, 0.2 inches less |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1206 × 2622 |
| 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 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 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 | 256 GB – 1 TB | 128 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 999 dollars | 999 dollars, the same |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Sep 2024 |
| Status | Current | Discontinued |
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Questions about these phones
Which phone is smaller between the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 16 Pro is 6.6 mm shorter and 3.2 mm narrower than the iPhone 17 Air. However, the iPhone 17 Air is significantly thinner at 5.64 mm compared to the 8.25 mm depth of the iPhone 16 Pro.
How do the screen sizes of the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 Pro compare?
The iPhone 17 Air features a 6.5-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro comes with a slightly smaller 6.3-inch screen. Both phones share the same 460 ppi pixel density and Dynamic Island cutout.
Which phone is lighter between the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 Pro?
The iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 g, making it 34 g lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro, which weighs 199 g.
Which phone is easier to use with one hand?
The iPhone 16 Pro is easier to use with one hand and better suited for small hands due to its shorter and narrower dimensions.
Do the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 Pro fit in pockets?
Both the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16 Pro fit comfortably in a typical men's jeans pocket. Neither model fits into the median women's jeans pocket.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone 17 Air worth it for the size change?
Upgrading from the iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone 17 Air trades a more compact height and width for a much thinner and lighter profile with a larger screen.