iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
Quick answer
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is 3.11 millimetres0.12 inches thicker and 84 grams2.96 ounces heavier than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max on Amazon (paid link) arrives fresh and lasts notably longer than the iPhone 17 Air (paid link), but it comes with significant extra weight and width. You pay $200 more for that endurance and new features, which is a fair trade if you need all-day power. If you value lightness and one-handed use, the older Air still wins comfortably.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 17 Air
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 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.3 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 18 Pro Max: 163.4 by 78 by 8.75 millimetres, 249 grams.
17 Air, 18 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 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 17 Air 156.2 millimetres, 18 Pro Max 163.4 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, 18 Pro Max 6.43 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, 18 Pro Max 78.0 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, 18 Pro Max 3.07 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, 18 Pro Max 8.75 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, 18 Pro Max 0.34 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, 18 Pro Max 249 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, 18 Pro Max 8.78 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 163.4 millimetres, 7.2 millimetres more6.43 inches, 0.28 inches more |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 78.0 millimetres, 3.3 millimetres more3.07 inches, 0.13 inches more |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 8.75 millimetres, 3.11 millimetres more0.34 inches, 0.12 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 249 grams, 84 grams more8.78 ounces, 2.96 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 111.5 cubic centimetres, 45.7 cubic centimetres more6.81 cubic inches, 2.79 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 91 percent, 1 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 6.9 inches, 0.4 inches more |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1320 × 2868 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48-f/4.0 |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | 48MP Fusion f/2.2 |
| Rear telephoto | — | 48MP Fusion 100mm (4x optical, 8x optical-quality) |
| Front camera | 12MP | 18MP Center Stage f/1.9 |
| Chip | A19 Pro | A20 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 45 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6 · Apple C2 modem |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 1 TB | 256 GB – 2 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 999 dollars | 1,299 dollars, 300 dollars more |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Sep 2026 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is 7.2 mm (0.28 in) taller, 3.3 mm (0.13 in) wider, 3.11 mm (0.12 in) thicker and 84 g (2.96 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 18 Pro Max measures 163.4 × 78.0 × 8.75 mm (6.43 × 3.07 × 0.34 in) and weighs 249 g (8.78 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 17 Air
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Questions about these phones
How does the size of the iPhone 18 Pro Max compare to the iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is 7.2 mm taller and 3.3 mm wider than the iPhone 17 Air. It also has a volume that is 45.7 cm3 larger.
How much heavier is the iPhone 18 Pro Max than the iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 84 g more than the iPhone 17 Air. This weight difference is noticeable when holding the device.
Which phone has a larger screen?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch screen while the iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch screen. The difference is 0.4 inches.
Is the iPhone 17 Air better for one-handed use?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air is easier to use one-handed than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. It is better for small hands than the larger model.
Do the phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
The iPhone 17 Air is more pocketable than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. It fits more easily in a typical men's jeans pocket.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 17 Air to the iPhone 18 Pro Max worth it for size alone?
No, upgrading for size only is not worth it. The additional bulk does not justify the change for all users.