iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 1.66 millimetres0.07 inches thinner and 23 grams0.81 ounces lighter than the iPhone 7 Plus.
The iPhone 7 Plus on Amazon (paid link) is stuck on iOS 15 and will never get another update, while the 17 Air (paid link) runs the latest software with a brighter screen and snappier feel. You might find a renewed 7 Plus for pennies if you need a backup, but the 17 Air is worth it for its lightness and daily reliability. If you want modern features and a phone that fits the hand better, the 17 Air is the clear pick over a relic.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 17 Air
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 7 Plus
from $769 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (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 · 1.4 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 7 Plus: 158.2 by 77.9 by 7.3 millimetres, 188 grams. iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
7 Plus, 17 Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 7 Plus
from $769 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (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: 7 Plus 158.2 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 7 Plus 6.23 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 7 Plus 77.9 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 7 Plus 3.07 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 7 Plus 7.30 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 7 Plus 0.29 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 7 Plus 188 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 7 Plus 6.63 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 7 Plus | 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 158.2 millimetres6.23 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 2.0 millimetres less6.15 inches, 0.08 inches less |
| Width | 77.9 millimetres3.07 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 3.2 millimetres less2.94 inches, 0.13 inches less |
| Depth | 7.30 millimetres0.29 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 1.66 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.07 inches less |
| Weight | 188 grams6.63 ounces | 165 grams, 23 grams less5.82 ounces, 0.81 ounces less |
| Volume | 90.0 cubic centimetres5.49 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 24.2 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 1.47 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 68 percent | 90 percent, 22 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 5.5 inches | 6.5 inches, 1.0 inches more |
| Resolution | 1080 × 1920 | 1260 × 2736 |
| Pixel density | 401 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, 59 pixels per inch more |
| Cutout | None | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 12MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 7MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A10 Fusion | A19 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 14 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
| Wireless | 4G LTE · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP67 (1m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 32 – 256 GB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 769 dollars | 999 dollars, 230 dollars more |
| Released | Sep 2016 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 17 Air is 2.0 mm (0.08 in) shorter, 3.2 mm (0.13 in) narrower, 1.66 mm (0.07 in) thinner and 23 g (0.81 oz) lighter than the iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhone 7 Plus measures 158.2 × 77.9 × 7.30 mm (6.23 × 3.07 × 0.29 in) and weighs 188 g (6.63 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 iPhone 17 Air than iPhone 7 Plus?
iPhone 17 Air is 2 mm shorter and 3.2 mm narrower than iPhone 7 Plus. It is also 1.66 mm thinner in depth.
Which phone is lighter between iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 17 Air?
iPhone 17 Air is 23 g lighter than iPhone 7 Plus. The weight difference is noticeable when holding both phones.
Is the screen on iPhone 17 Air bigger than iPhone 7 Plus?
Yes, iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch display while iPhone 7 Plus has a 5.5 inch display. The screen on iPhone 17 Air is 1 inch larger.
Is iPhone 17 Air easier to use one handed?
iPhone 17 Air is easier to use one handed than iPhone 7 Plus. It is better suited for small hands due to its narrower width.
Do these phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
Both iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 17 Air fit in a typical men's jeans pocket. Neither phone fits in a typical women's jeans pocket.
Is it worth upgrading just for the size difference?
The size only upgrade is considered worth it based on the physical differences. iPhone 17 Air offers a larger screen in a smaller body.