iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 3.11 millimetres0.12 inches thinner and 84 grams2.96 ounces lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max on Amazon (paid link) is brand new and lasts significantly longer, a relief if you often run out by evening. The iPhone 17 Air (paid link) is far lighter and slimmer, yet still runs the latest software and costs less on Apple's site. Pick the Pro Max for endurance, or the Air if you value pocket comfort over staying power.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 17 Air
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 17 Air
from $999 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 18 Pro Max: 163.4 by 78 by 8.75 millimetres, 249 grams. iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
18 Pro Max, 17 Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 18 Pro Max
from $1,299 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 17 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 18 Pro Max 163.4 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 18 Pro Max 6.43 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 18 Pro Max 78.0 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 18 Pro Max 3.07 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 18 Pro Max 8.75 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 18 Pro Max 0.34 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 18 Pro Max 249 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 18 Pro Max 8.78 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 18 Pro Max | 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 163.4 millimetres6.43 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 7.2 millimetres less6.15 inches, 0.28 inches less |
| Width | 78.0 millimetres3.07 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 3.3 millimetres less2.94 inches, 0.13 inches less |
| Depth | 8.75 millimetres0.34 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 3.11 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.12 inches less |
| Weight | 249 grams8.78 ounces | 165 grams, 84 grams less5.82 ounces, 2.96 ounces less |
| Volume | 111.5 cubic centimetres6.81 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 45.7 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 2.79 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 91 percent | 90 percent, 1 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.9 inches | 6.5 inches, 0.4 inches less |
| Resolution | 1320 × 2868 | 1260 × 2736 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, the same |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48-f/4.0 | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | 48MP Fusion f/2.2 | — |
| Rear telephoto | 48MP Fusion 100mm (4x optical, 8x optical-quality) | — |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage f/1.9 | 12MP |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 45 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6 · Apple C2 modem | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 2 TB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 1,299 dollars | 999 dollars, 300 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2026 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 17 Air is 7.2 mm (0.28 in) shorter, 3.3 mm (0.13 in) narrower, 3.11 mm (0.12 in) thinner and 84 g (2.96 oz) lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. 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). 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).
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Questions about these phones
How much smaller is the iPhone 17 Air than the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The iPhone 17 Air is 7.2 mm shorter and 3.3 mm narrower than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Is the iPhone 17 Air lighter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 g while the iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 g, a difference of 84 g.
Which phone has a bigger screen?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch display, which is 0.4 inch larger than the 6.5 inch screen on the iPhone 17 Air.
Which phone is easier to use one handed?
The iPhone 17 Air is easier to use one handed and is better for small hands than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Do these phones fit in jeans pockets?
Both fit in a typical men's jeans pocket, but the iPhone 17 Air is more pocketable than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Is the size difference worth upgrading for?
Whether the size difference is worth an upgrade depends on your preference for a lighter device versus a larger screen.