iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 8
Quick answer
The iPhone 8 is 7.4 millimetres0.29 inches narrower and 17.8 millimetres0.70 inches shorter than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 8 on Amazon (paid link) is already out of updates and will not receive further support. The iPhone 17 Air (paid link) runs the latest software and feels substantially faster in everyday use, with the endurance to match. Choose the 17 Air for longevity; the 8 remains a budget option only if you prioritize a small footprint. If you want a similar compact size with modern internals, you should look at the iPhone 17e (paid link) instead.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 8
Pocket: iPhone 8
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 17 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 8
from $699 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (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 8: 138.4 by 67.3 by 7.3 millimetres, 148 grams.
17 Air, 8 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 8
from $699 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 17 Air 156.2 millimetres, 8 138.4 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, 8 5.45 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, 8 67.3 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, 8 2.65 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, 8 7.30 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, 8 0.29 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, 8 148 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, 8 5.22 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 138.4 millimetres, 17.8 millimetres less5.45 inches, 0.70 inches less |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 67.3 millimetres, 7.4 millimetres less2.65 inches, 0.29 inches less |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 7.30 millimetres, 1.66 millimetres more0.29 inches, 0.07 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 148 grams, 17 grams less5.22 ounces, 0.60 ounces less |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 68.0 cubic centimetres, 2.2 cubic centimetres more4.15 cubic inches, 0.13 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 65 percent, 25 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 4.7 inches, 1.8 inches less |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 750 × 1334 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 326 pixels per inch, 134 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | None |
| Rear main | 48MP | 12MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 7MP |
| Chip | A19 Pro | A11 Bionic |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 13 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 4G LTE · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP67 (1m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 1 TB | 64 – 256 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 999 dollars | 699 dollars, 300 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Sep 2017 |
| Status | Current | Legacy |
Dimensions
The iPhone 8 is 17.8 mm (0.70 in) shorter, 7.4 mm (0.29 in) narrower, 1.66 mm (0.07 in) thicker and 17 g (0.60 oz) lighter 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 8 measures 138.4 × 67.3 × 7.30 mm (5.45 × 2.65 × 0.29 in) and weighs 148 g (5.22 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro
- 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 16e
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 16 Pro
Questions about these phones
How much bigger is the iPhone 17 Air than the iPhone 8?
The iPhone 17 Air is 17.8 mm taller and 7.4 mm wider than the iPhone 8. It features a 6.5 inch display compared to the 4.7 inch screen on the iPhone 8.
Is the iPhone 17 Air heavier than the iPhone 8?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air weighs 17 grams more than the iPhone 8. This weight difference is noticeable when holding the phones side by side.
Which phone has a larger screen?
The iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch screen while the iPhone 8 has a 4.7 inch display. The larger screen on the iPhone 17 Air offers more viewing area for media.
Which phone is easier to use one handed?
The iPhone 8 is easier to use one handed than the iPhone 17 Air. Its smaller dimensions make it more manageable for an average adult hand.
Do both phones fit in jeans pockets?
Both the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 8 fit in a typical men's jeans pocket. Neither phone fits in a typical women's jeans pocket according to measured averages.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 8 to the iPhone 17 Air worth it for size?
Whether the size upgrade is worth it depends on your preference for screen real estate versus portability. The iPhone 8 remains more pocketable and lighter than the iPhone 17 Air.