iPhone 8 vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 7.4 millimetres0.29 inches wider and 17.8 millimetres0.70 inches taller than the iPhone 8.
The iPhone 8 on Amazon (paid link) has stopped receiving updates while the iPhone 17 Air (paid link) gets the latest iOS and delivers a massive improvement in smoothness and battery life. You will trade a compact device for a taller one, but the 17 Air is a modern phone that actually lasts through your day. Choose the 17 Air unless you need an ultra-small device and accept outdated software.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 8
Pocket: Unclear
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 8
from $699 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 8: 138.4 by 67.3 by 7.3 millimetres, 148 grams. iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
8, 17 Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 8
from $699 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: 8 138.4 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 8 5.45 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 8 67.3 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 8 2.65 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 8 7.30 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 8 0.29 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 8 148 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 8 5.22 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 8 | 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 138.4 millimetres5.45 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 17.8 millimetres more6.15 inches, 0.70 inches more |
| Width | 67.3 millimetres2.65 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 7.4 millimetres more2.94 inches, 0.29 inches more |
| Depth | 7.30 millimetres0.29 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 1.66 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.07 inches less |
| Weight | 148 grams5.22 ounces | 165 grams, 17 grams more5.82 ounces, 0.60 ounces more |
| Volume | 68.0 cubic centimetres4.15 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 2.2 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 0.13 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 65 percent | 90 percent, 25 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 4.7 inches | 6.5 inches, 1.8 inches more |
| Resolution | 750 × 1334 | 1260 × 2736 |
| Pixel density | 326 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, 134 pixels per inch more |
| Cutout | None | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 12MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 7MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A11 Bionic | A19 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 13 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 | 64 – 256 GB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 699 dollars | 999 dollars, 300 dollars more |
| Released | Sep 2017 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 17 Air is 17.8 mm (0.70 in) taller, 7.4 mm (0.29 in) wider, 1.66 mm (0.07 in) thinner and 17 g (0.60 oz) heavier than the iPhone 8. 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). 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).
Also compared with iPhone 8
Questions about these phones
How much bigger is iPhone 17 Air than iPhone 8?
iPhone 17 Air is 17.8 mm taller and 7.4 mm wider than iPhone 8. The iPhone 17 Air is also 1.66 mm thinner than iPhone 8.
Is iPhone 17 Air heavier than iPhone 8?
iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 g while iPhone 8 weighs 148 g. The 17 g difference is noticeable.
What is the screen size difference?
iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch display compared to the 4.7 inch display on iPhone 8.
Which phone is easier to use one-handed?
iPhone 8 is easier to use one-handed than iPhone 17 Air. iPhone 8 is better for small hands.
Do both phones fit in jeans pockets?
Both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket but neither fits a typical women's jeans pocket.
Is the size difference worth upgrading for?
Whether the size upgrade is worth it depends on your needs. The total volume is actually slightly smaller on iPhone 17 Air.