iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 8 Plus
Quick answer
The iPhone 8 Plus is 1.86 millimetres0.07 inches thicker and 37 grams1.31 ounces heavier than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 17 Air on Amazon (paid link) feels easier to hold and lasts noticeably longer on a charge. Its modern software and speed make it a reliable daily driver, while the iPhone 8 Plus (paid link) is stuck on old updates despite the lower cost. This is the right choice for anyone needing modern performance.
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 8 Plus
from $799 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 Plus: 158.4 by 78.1 by 7.5 millimetres, 202 grams.
17 Air, 8 Plus 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 Plus
from $799 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 Plus 158.4 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, 8 Plus 6.24 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, 8 Plus 78.1 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, 8 Plus 3.07 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, 8 Plus 7.50 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, 8 Plus 0.30 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, 8 Plus 202 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, 8 Plus 7.13 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | 8 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 158.4 millimetres, 2.2 millimetres more6.24 inches, 0.09 inches more |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 78.1 millimetres, 3.4 millimetres more3.07 inches, 0.13 inches more |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 7.50 millimetres, 1.86 millimetres more0.30 inches, 0.07 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 202 grams, 37 grams more7.13 ounces, 1.31 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 92.8 cubic centimetres, 27.0 cubic centimetres more5.66 cubic inches, 1.65 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 67 percent, 23 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 5.5 inches, 1.0 inches less |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1080 × 1920 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 401 pixels per inch, 59 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 | 14 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 | 799 dollars, 200 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Sep 2017 |
| Status | Current | Legacy |
Dimensions
The iPhone 8 Plus is 2.2 mm (0.09 in) taller, 3.4 mm (0.13 in) wider, 1.86 mm (0.07 in) thicker and 37 g (1.31 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 8 Plus measures 158.4 × 78.1 × 7.50 mm (6.24 × 3.07 × 0.30 in) and weighs 202 g (7.13 oz).
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Questions about these phones
How much bigger is the iPhone 8 Plus than the iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 8 Plus is 2.2 mm taller, 3.4 mm wider, and 1.86 mm deeper than the iPhone 17 Air.
Is the iPhone 17 Air lighter than the iPhone 8 Plus?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 g while the iPhone 8 Plus weighs 202 g, making the weight difference noticeable.
Which phone has a larger screen, the iPhone 17 Air or the iPhone 8 Plus?
The iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch display, which is 1 inch larger than the 5.5 inch screen on the iPhone 8 Plus.
Which phone is better for one-handed use?
The iPhone 17 Air is easier to use one-handed and better for small hands compared to the iPhone 8 Plus.
Will the iPhone 17 Air fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
The iPhone 17 Air fits in a typical men's jeans pocket and is considered more pocketable than the iPhone 8 Plus.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 8 Plus to the iPhone 17 Air worth it for size alone?
Yes, the size only upgrade is worth it because the iPhone 17 Air offers a larger screen in a lighter body.