iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16e
Quick answer
The iPhone 16e is 9.5 millimetres0.37 inches shorter and 2.16 millimetres0.09 inches thicker than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) is impressively thin for its wide screen, but the iPhone 16e (paid link) feels more natural in one hand. You won't feel the chip jump in daily tasks, but the 17 Air costs far more than the renewed 16e. Choose the Air for style, or save your cash for the better value.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 16e
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Not noticeable
iPhone 17 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (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 16e: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 millimetres, 167 grams.
17 Air, 16e 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 16e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 17 Air 156.2 millimetres, 16e 146.7 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, 16e 5.78 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, 16e 71.5 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, 16e 2.81 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, 16e 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, 16e 0.31 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, 16e 167 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, 16e 5.89 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | 16e |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7.80 millimetres, 2.16 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.09 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 167 grams, 2 grams more5.89 ounces, 0.07 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 81.8 cubic centimetres, 16.0 cubic centimetres more4.99 cubic inches, 0.98 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 | A18 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 26 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 | 599 dollars, 400 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Feb 2025 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 16e is 9.5 mm (0.37 in) shorter, 3.2 mm (0.13 in) narrower, 2.16 mm (0.09 in) thicker and 2 g (0.07 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 16e measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.80 mm (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.31 in) and weighs 167 g (5.89 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 17 Air
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- 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 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
Questions about these phones
How do the sizes of iPhone 16e and iPhone 17 Air compare?
The iPhone 16e is 9.5 mm shorter and 3.2 mm narrower than the iPhone 17 Air. The iPhone 17 Air is 2.16 mm thinner than the iPhone 16e.
Is there a noticeable weight difference between iPhone 16e and iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 16e is 2 grams heavier than the iPhone 17 Air, but this difference is not considered noticeable.
Which phone has a larger screen, iPhone 16e or iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5-inch display, which is 0.4 inches larger than the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 16e.
Which phone is better for one-handed use?
The iPhone 16e is rated as easier for one-handed use and better for small hands compared to the iPhone 17 Air.
Which phone fits better in a pocket?
The iPhone 17 Air is considered more pocketable than the iPhone 16e despite both fitting in a typical men's jeans pocket.
Is it worth upgrading from iPhone 16e to iPhone 17 Air for size only?
Whether an upgrade from the iPhone 16e to the iPhone 17 Air is worth it for size alone depends on your preference for a wider but thinner device.