iPhone X vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 12.6 millimetres0.50 inches taller and 2.06 millimetres0.08 inches thinner than the iPhone X.
The iPhone X on Amazon (paid link) has stopped receiving updates and is stuck on its last version, whereas the iPhone 17 Air (paid link) runs the newest iOS and lasts significantly longer on a charge. You pay significantly more for the newer model, but it feels faster and supports modern features the older one misses. Pick the Air if you need longevity, or the renewed X if budget and compact size matter most.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone X
Pocket: iPhone 17 Air
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone X
from $999 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 X: 143.6 by 70.9 by 7.7 millimetres, 174 grams. iPhone 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
X, 17 Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone X
from $999 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: X 143.6 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: X 5.65 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: X 70.9 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: X 2.79 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: X 7.70 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: X 0.30 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: X 174 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: X 6.14 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | X | 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 143.6 millimetres5.65 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 12.6 millimetres more6.15 inches, 0.50 inches more |
| Width | 70.9 millimetres2.79 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 3.8 millimetres more2.94 inches, 0.15 inches more |
| Depth | 7.70 millimetres0.30 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 2.06 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.08 inches less |
| Weight | 174 grams6.14 ounces | 165 grams, 9 grams less5.82 ounces, 0.32 ounces less |
| Volume | 78.4 cubic centimetres4.78 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 12.6 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 0.77 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 83 percent | 90 percent, 7 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 5.8 inches | 6.5 inches, 0.7 inches more |
| Resolution | 1125 × 2436 | 1260 × 2736 |
| Pixel density | 458 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, 2 pixels per inch more |
| Cutout | Notch | 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. | 999 dollars | 999 dollars, the same |
| Released | Nov 2017 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 17 Air is 12.6 mm (0.50 in) taller, 3.8 mm (0.15 in) wider, 2.06 mm (0.08 in) thinner and 9 g (0.32 oz) lighter than the iPhone X. 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). 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 X
Questions about these phones
How much bigger is the iPhone 17 Air than the iPhone X?
The iPhone 17 Air is 12.6 mm taller and 3.8 mm wider than the iPhone X.
Which phone weighs less?
The iPhone 17 Air is 9 g lighter than the iPhone X.
What is the screen size difference between the iPhone X and iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch display and the iPhone X has a 5.8 inch display.
Is the iPhone X better for one-handed use?
Yes, the iPhone X is rated easier for one-handed use than the iPhone 17 Air.
Do both phones fit in a jeans pocket?
Both fit a typical men's jeans pocket, but the iPhone 17 Air is rated more pocketable.
Is the size upgrade worth it?
The size jump is considered worth it for the battery life and software updates it provides.