By Mark Spoonauer
Copyright tomsguide
Skip to main content
Tom’s Guide
Newsletters
View Profile
Search Tom’s Guide
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Over-Ear Headphones
Bluetooth Speakers
Entertainment
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
Playstation
Gaming Peripherals
Connections
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
Operating Systems
Malware & Adware
Smart Glasses
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
Home Brands
Popular Brands
View Phones
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
View Network Carriers
Android Phones
View Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
View Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Headphones
View Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
View Speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Entertainment
View Entertainment
View Streaming
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
View Gaming
Playstation
Gaming Peripherals
Word Games
Connections
View Computing
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
View Hardware
View Software
Operating Systems
View Security
Malware & Adware
View VR & AR
Smart Glasses
View Laptops
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
View Desktops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
View Tablets
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
AI Engines
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
View Wellness
Mattresses
View Mattresses
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
View Fitness
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
View Outdoors
Home Brands
Popular Brands
Apple Event
iPhone 17 Pro
The World in 2035
Wordle Today
Best laptops
Best Mattress
Don’t miss these
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs 17 Pro Max rumored specs: Here’s what you need to know
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Here’s the biggest expected upgrades
Final iPhone 17 vs 17 Air vs 17 Pro rumors: Here’s the biggest changes coming to every new iPhone
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Biggest rumored upgrades
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro: How big will the gap be this year for new iPhones?
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro: 5 biggest trade-offs to expect
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Biggest expected upgrades
iPhone Air announced — thinnest iPhone ever, specs, features, size, colors and all the upgrades
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max revealed — release date, specs, price, cameras, colors and more
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: which will be the new flagship king?
iPhone 17 Pro rumored release date, specs, price, colors and all the new features
iPhone 17 Pro Max — rumored release date, specs, price, colors and more
Pixel 10 Pro XL vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: Which flagship could win?
The iPhone 17 Pro sounds like it will be the iPhone to get this year — here’s why
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro: Here’s all the new rumored features
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs Pro Max: Which new iPhone should you buy?
Mark Spoonauer
10 September 2025
Here’s the differences you need to know
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
Design and colors
Performance
Battery life and charging
Bottom line
If you’re in the market for a new iPhone, an iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comparison is just what you need to help you decide between these premium flagships. So which of these is the best iPhone for you? There are some key similarities — like the front camera, A19 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence features — but some pretty big differences, too.
As you’ll see in our iPhone Air hands-on review, this new device is all about portability. It’s super thin at just 5.6mm yet packs a fairly large 6.5-inch display and a powerful A19 Pro chip in a super svelte design that’s built tough with titanium. Meanwhile, our iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max hands-on review reveals an absolute beast, with a triple 48MP camera system and the largest batteries ever in an iPhone (at least in the Pro Max model). Here’s the key iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max differences you need to know.
iPhone Air HANDS ON! – YouTube
Swipe to scroll horizontally
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Specs compared
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting price
$999 / £999 / AU$1,799
$1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,999
$1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,199
A19 Pro (5-core GPU)
A19 Pro (6-core GPU)
A19 Pro (6-core GPU)
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Rear cameras
48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x telephoto
48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x telephoto
Front camera
Sky Blue, Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold
Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue
Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue
Battery life (rated)
27 hours video
33 hours video
39 hours video
6.2 x 2.9 x 0.22 inches (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.64 mm)
5.9 x 2.8 x 0.34-inches (150 x 71.9 x 8.75mm)
6.4 x 3.0 x 0.34-inches (163.4 x 78 x 8.75mm)
5.82 ounces (165 grams)
7.27 ounces (206 grams)
8.22 ounces (233 grams)
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Pricing
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The iPhone Air starts at $999 for 256GB of storage. That’s $100 more than the previous iPhone 16 Plus but but $100 less than the $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro and $200 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Check out our iPhone 17 pre-order deals page for the lowest price on all of these new iPhones.
You may like
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs 17 Pro Max rumored specs: Here’s what you need to know
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Here’s the biggest expected upgrades
Final iPhone 17 vs 17 Air vs 17 Pro rumors: Here’s the biggest changes coming to every new iPhone
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
So at least on paper, the iPhone Air is the best value. But it really comes down to what you are looking for in your next phone. The iPhone Air is still very much a premium handset and you’re paying for its sheer portability. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are the more versatile devices, especially in terms of their cameras.
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Design and colors
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The iPhone Air is so thin and light that it’s hard to believe when it’s in your hand. It’s just 5.6mm thick and a super light 5.82 ounces. Compare that to 8.75mm for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, which weigh a hefty 7.27 and 8.22 ounces, respectively.
I’m telling you that you can easily slip the iPhone Air in your front pocket and almost forget that it’s there. The iPhone 17 Pro Max for me is a back pocket affair. And the iPhone 17 Pro is compact enough to go in your front pocket, though you’ll notice the bulk.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The iPhone Air sports a titanium frame that’s designed to be quite durable, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max opt for aluminum unibody designs. Apple ditched titanium on the Pros for aluminum partially to help dissipate heat better.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
All three of these iPhones have a Cearmic Shield 2 front with 3x better scratch resistance and a Ceramic Shield Back to protect against drops.
The iPhone Air has four color options. Take your pick from Sky Blue, Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold. But I’d argue the iPhone 17 Pro series is having more fun with its Cosmic Orange option, which is joined by Silver and Deep Blue.
iPhone 17 Pro Max HANDS ON: Finally! – YouTube
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro: Displays
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The iPhone Air’s 6.5-inch display is right in between the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The regular Pro sports a 6.3-inch screen, and the Pro Max is a massive 6.9 inches.
Personally, I find the iPhone 17 Pro too small, but there’s lots of people who prefer a smaller screen.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The displays on these three phones are pretty similar otherwise. All of them feature OLED panels with always-on display functionality and ProMotion refresh rates that go from 1 to 120Hz. And all three displays get up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. The biggest difference is really size.
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Cameras
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
This is where you’ll see the biggest iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max differences. The iPhone Air sports a single rear 48MP camera. Yes, it offers the equivalent of a 2x optical zoom by cropping in for 12MP close-ups, but you don’t get an ultrawide shooter (which also means no macro mode) or a true telephoto lens.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are armed with three 48MP cameras. So you get a main wide camera, ultrawide shooter and 4x telephoto lens that can produce 8x optical quality shots via cropping that come out as 12MP. The digital zoom on the iPhone Air is 10x and the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max go all the way up to 40x.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The good news is that the iPhone Air’s front Center Stage camera is just as capable as the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. You get an 18MP shooter with a square-shapred sensor that’s smart enough to switch between portrait and landscape mode on the fly based on how many people are in the frame.
In terms of video, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max deliver more features. For instance, the iPhone Air doesn’t offer Cinematic mode or ProRes recording up to 4K and 120fps.
True creative pros will appreciate the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max’s exclusive support for features like ProRes Raw, Apple Log 2 video recording and Genlock.
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Performance
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
On paper, the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro series should offer comparable performance, as they both feature the advanced A19 Pro chip. But there’s a notable difference.
While both the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro series sport a 6-core CPU, the iPhone Air gets a 5-core GPU. That compares to a 6-core GPU for the A19 Pro that powers the Pro and Pro Max. So you should expect better gameplay on the Pros.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max should also give you better sustained performance because of Apple’s new vapor chamber cooling system. This lets you enjoy intense games and tackle other tasks for longer without your phone overheating or slowing down.
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Battery life and charging
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Apple says the iPhone Air is capable of delivering “all-day battery life.” That’s thanks in part to a design that puts several components in the so-called plateau (the camera bump to you and me), leaving room for a large battery. But the iPhone Air realizes efficiencies in other ways, including Apple’s C1X modem and a new N1 chip that combines that Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread radios.
The iPhone Air is rated for 27 hours of video playback, which is the same as last year’s iPhone 16 Pro. However, the iPhone 17 Pro is rated for 33 hours, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a whopping 39 hours. Apple will sell you a MagSafe battery for the back of the iPhone Air for $99 that can get you up to 40 hours of juice, but to me that defeats the purpose of the design.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
We’ll have to see how these phones do in the Tom’s Guide Battery Test to see which can make our best phone battery life list.
So what about charging? The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max both support 40W charging, which can get you to 50% in just 20 mintues. But the iPhone Air can only do that in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter.
Similarly, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max offer faster wireless charging at 25W, compared to 20W for the iPhone Air.
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Bottom line
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
If you’re on the fence between the iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, here’s your cheat sheet. The iPhone Air is the phone to get if you want the thinnest and lightest possible iPhone while still enjoying Pro-level performance on the go. It’s also the most affordable option between the three phones.
On the other hand, I’d go for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max if you prefer to have a more versatile camera system with an ultrawide lens and telephoto zoom. And you should go Pro if you want longer battery life along with better sustained performance, thanks to that vapor chamber cooling.
Stay tuned for our full reviews of all of these phones with final test results. We’ll be updating this comparison to help you decide.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
More from Tom’s Guide
iPhone 17: 6 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)
iPhone 17 and 17 Pro colors — these are your options (and our favorites)
iOS 26 guide: All the new features coming to your iPhone
See more Phones Face-Offs
Mark Spoonauer
Mark Spoonauer is the global editor in chief of Tom’s Guide and has covered technology for over 20 years. In addition to overseeing the direction of Tom’s Guide, Mark specializes in covering all things mobile, having reviewed dozens of smartphones and other gadgets. He has spoken at key industry events and appears regularly on TV to discuss the latest trends, including Cheddar, Fox Business and other outlets. Mark was previously editor in chief of Laptop Mag, and his work has appeared in Wired, Popular Science and Inc. Follow him on Twitter at @mspoonauer.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs 17 Pro Max rumored specs: Here’s what you need to know
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Here’s the biggest expected upgrades
Final iPhone 17 vs 17 Air vs 17 Pro rumors: Here’s the biggest changes coming to every new iPhone
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Biggest rumored upgrades
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro: How big will the gap be this year for new iPhones?
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro: 5 biggest trade-offs to expect
Latest in iPhones
iPhone 17 — 6 reasons to buy (and 3 reasons to skip)
Apple iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max hands-on review: Biggest changes in years
iPhone Air hands-on review: I actually can’t believe it
iPhone Air announced — thinnest iPhone ever, specs, features, size, colors and all the upgrades
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max revealed — release date, specs, price, cameras, colors and more
iPhone 17 unveiled — release date, price, specs, colors and all the upgrades
Latest in Face Off
iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro vs Pro Max: Which new iPhone should you buy?
I’ve tested both the affordable Coop Original and luxury Purple GridCloud pillows — this is my favorite for side sleeping
I tested ChatGPT-5 vs Gemini Nano Banana with 9 AI image prompts — and there’s a clear winner
I wore the Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Suunto Race 2 for over a week — which should you buy?
Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 — biggest rumored upgrades explained
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5 — What’s the difference?
LATEST ARTICLES
Dangerous new RatOn Android trojan can automatically transfer money right off your phone to hackers
I’ve already streamed all 6 episodes of Prime Video’s new psychological thriller — and it’s a dark, twisty series that’ll have you hooked
As a TV expert, here are the 3 features I look for instead of shopping by brand
5 things to consider when buying a laptop, from a pro laptop reviewer
I made a 7-song playlist (plus a bonus track) in under 30 minutes with this free AI music tool — no subscription needed
Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
