iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone X
Quick answer
The iPhone X is 12.6 millimetres0.50 inches shorter and 2.06 millimetres0.08 inches thicker than the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone X on Amazon (paid link) stopped receiving updates years ago, while the iPhone 17 Air (paid link) runs the latest software. You will feel the battery improvement first. This is the year to switch.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone X
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 X
from $999 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 X: 143.6 by 70.9 by 7.7 millimetres, 174 grams.
17 Air, X 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 X
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, X 143.6 millimetres.Height: 17 Air 6.15 inches, X 5.65 inches.Width: 17 Air 74.7 millimetres, X 70.9 millimetres.Width: 17 Air 2.94 inches, X 2.79 inches.Depth: 17 Air 5.64 millimetres, X 7.70 millimetres.Depth: 17 Air 0.22 inches, X 0.30 inches.Weight: 17 Air 165 grams, X 174 grams.Weight: 17 Air 5.82 ounces, X 6.14 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 17 Air | X |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 143.6 millimetres, 12.6 millimetres less5.65 inches, 0.50 inches less |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 70.9 millimetres, 3.8 millimetres less2.79 inches, 0.15 inches less |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 7.70 millimetres, 2.06 millimetres more0.30 inches, 0.08 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 174 grams, 9 grams more6.14 ounces, 0.32 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 78.4 cubic centimetres, 12.6 cubic centimetres more4.78 cubic inches, 0.77 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 83 percent, 7 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 5.8 inches, 0.7 inches less |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1125 × 2436 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 458 pixels per inch, 2 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| 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 | 999 dollars, the same |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Nov 2017 |
| Status | Current | Legacy |
Dimensions
The iPhone X is 12.6 mm (0.50 in) shorter, 3.8 mm (0.15 in) narrower, 2.06 mm (0.08 in) thicker and 9 g (0.32 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 X measures 143.6 × 70.9 × 7.70 mm (5.65 × 2.79 × 0.30 in) and weighs 174 g (6.14 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 does the iPhone 17 Air size compare to the iPhone X?
The iPhone 17 Air is 12.6 mm taller and 3.8 mm wider than the iPhone X, yet the iPhone 17 Air is 2.1 mm thinner.
Is the iPhone 17 Air heavier than the iPhone X?
The iPhone 17 Air weighs 9 grams less than the iPhone X, yet the weight difference is not very noticeable.
Which phone fits better in a pocket?
Both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket, but the iPhone 17 Air is considered more pocketable due to its lower volume.
Which phone is easier to use one-handed?
The iPhone X is easier to use one-handed and better for small hands compared to the larger iPhone 17 Air.
What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone X?
The iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch display which is 0.7 inches larger than the 5.8 inch screen on the iPhone X.
Is upgrading from the iPhone X to the iPhone 17 Air worth it for size alone?
Whether the upgrade is worth pursuing depends on your needs, as the size increase comes with a taller and wider body.