Apple’s iPhone Air is one of the most significant releases in Apple’s smartphone history – but how does it compare to the (also brand spanking new) iPhone 17 Pro?
While you might assume that the slim dimensions of the iPhone Air mean it can’t compete with Apple’s Pro-level iPhone 17, you might be surprised – there are more similarities than some might expect.
That said, here’s how the iPhone Air compares to the iPhone 17 Pro in real-world use, from key elements like in-hand feel to real-world performance and battery life testing.
If you’re curious, take a look at how the iPhone Air compares to the iPhone 17, and we’ve also gone through key differences between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for those looking beyond Apple’s ecosystem.
Spec comparison
| iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone Air | |
| Dimensions | 71.9 x 150 x 8.75mm | 74.7 x 156.2 x 5.64mm |
| Weight | 206g | 165g |
| Screen size | 6.3-inch | 6.5-inch |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Material | Aluminium | Titanium |
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Apple A19 Pro |
| Rear cameras | 48MP + 48MP + 48MP | 48MP |
| Selfie camera | 18MP | 18MP |
| Wired charge speed | 40W | 20W |
| MagSafe charge speed | 25W | 20W |
| Battery life | Up to 33 hours | Up to 27 hours |
Price and availability
The iPhone Air comes in at £999/$999 with 256GB of storage, and it’s available to buy now following its on-sale date of 19 September 2025.
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The iPhone 17 Pro is a little pricier at £1099/$1099, and is also available to buy worldwide right now following its September 2025 release.
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Design
The iPhone Air is easily the better-looking of the two – and it all comes down to its impossibly thin and light nature. At just 5.64mm and 165g, it feels futuristic the moment you pick it up. The 6.5-inch screen also means it hits a size sweet spot, making it large enough for a film on the train but still easy to use one-handed.
The camera bar runs across the top of the rear and the balance is spot on, so the phone never feels top-heavy – despite how it might look. The titanium frame has that soft, premium feel and Ceramic Shield 2 up front has held off the micro scratches that often appear in week one. It is eSIM-only worldwide, however, so you need to be comfortable with that.
The Camera Control and Action Button are here, though the camera pad can feel a bit fiddly on such a thin edge. The Space Black finish also looks great; the lighter colours are tasteful but too similar in certain lighting.
Most importantly, it doesn’t feel fragile; we expected thin to mean delicate, and that really hasn’t been the case.
The iPhone 17 Pro moves in the opposite direction with a completely new look, trading the titanium finish for aluminium, and it’s a touch heftier too. The raised camera plateau is a deliberate design statement, as is the rectangular glass panel on the back, though the off-centre logo will certainly split opinion.
Durability is suitably strong for an Apple flagship. Ceramic Shield 2 on the front keeps micro marks at bay, while IP68 is still present and accounted for to protect against water and dust. Importantly, some regions, including the UK, retain the SIM slot alongside eSIM capabilities – though this isn’t the case in the US.
The colours are also more playful this year; Deep Blue is our favourite, but Cosmic Orange is eye-catching. The lack of an all-black finish is somewhat surprising though.
Screen
These are flagship iPhones, so of course, both phones deliver excellent displays. ProMotion at 120Hz is now standard across the entire iPhone range, HDR content looks super, always-on is present and outdoor peak brightness hits 3000nits – what’s not to like?
On the Air, the single 6.5-inch size is the sweet spot and Apple’s larger layout elements make good use of it. The Dynamic Island sits a little lower and can intrude a little more on full-screen videos, but you tune it out quickly enough.
The 17 Pro’s 6.3-inch panel nails the ‘small Pro’ brief, with a bump in brightness over last year’s model that’s noticeable and makes it easier to use in bright sun. There’s still more glare than the very best Android rivals, but at least Apple hasn’t added a Pro Max-only screen trick this year.
Cameras
Cameras are really where the iPhone 17 Pro pulls away from the Air. Three 48MP cameras cover all the bases with ease, and the new 18MP selfie camera is a triumph thanks to its square sensor that lets you switch between portrait and landscape without moving the phone.
The telephoto is the big improvement this year, now able to reach 8x. 4x remains the sweet spot for detail, but that extra reach can be genuinely useful across both photo and video. Photos are consistent across the lenses, with accurate colours and pleasing skin tones in bright scenes and dingy bars alike.
Video is a strength too, with dual-camera recording, Apple Log 2, Genlock and direct-to-drive capture that turns it into a pro-level video rig.
The Air asks you to accept a clear trade-off in the camera department. There’s just a single 48MP camera on the rear, though it does benefit from the same 18MP selfie camera as the Pro model.
That said, the main camera is very good – it is the same as that used in the rest of the iPhone 17 collection, after all. It delivers rich colour, natural skin tones and strong low-light performance, and the in-sensor 3x crop is handy for a tighter look.
Photographic Styles remain a nice way to tune the image to your taste, but a versatile system, this is not. There’s no ultrawide, no true telephoto and several shooting modes don’t even make the cut. Even some features you get on the cheaper iPhone 17 are missing here.
Performance
On paper, both phones use the same A19 Pro – but in reality, this isn’t the case. The 17 Pro features a beefier GPU within the chipset, along with much improved cooling. It stays cooler, keeps high frame rates going for longer and feels composed during extended gaming or heavy use.
The Air is snappy in day-to-day use and great in short bursts, but push it further and the thin chassis warms in the top section, and performance tails off much sooner than the Pro.
Both come with 256GB as standard, though you can get both models with up to 1TB if required. Both also support top-notch connectivity options including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, Thread and UWB.
The weak link for the Air is audio performance; the single speaker sounds harsh and tinny. It’s fine for alarms, but for podcasts or video, you’ll want to grab your earbuds.
Also, it’s worth noting that the Air’s USB-C cable is limited to USB 2 speeds for data transfer, a step behind the Pro model.
Software
Both iPhones run the same version of iOS 26, and the Liquid Glass redesign looks right at home on both models. Apple’s apps feel fresher, with nice touches like artwork sliding under the controls in the Music app, and there’s plenty of Apple Intelligence features to sink your teeth into.
However, it’s far from an essential part of the iOS experience. The Clean Up tool lags behind Google and Samsung, and the writing aids often read robotic. The Playground’s generative features are fun once, but not something you’ll find yourself often returning to.
Battery life
Of the two iPhones, the iPhone 17 Pro is the dependable one when it comes to battery life. In our experience, it usually ends the day with around 15 to 30 percent left, and it sips less power during gaming and streaming than previous iPhones.
Charging is also faster; with a 40W plug, we managed a 50% charge in just 20 minutes, with a full charge in around 80 minutes. You’ve also got boosted 25W Qi2 wireless charging support.
The Air, on the other hand, is best described as more situational. It’s not an endurance king, but then again, it’s not quite a flop either. Light days dend with roughly 15 to 20 percent left, while heavy days push you to an early evening top-up. We usually get sound 4-5 hours of screen time before needing to reach for the charger, for reference.
Charging is fine, rather than fast. We saw 50% charge in 30 minutes, 10 minutes slower than the Pro, and around 87 minutes for a full charge – despite having a much smaller cell inside. That said, you do also get Qi2 wireless charging.
Final thoughts
If you want the iPhone that just does everything well, get the iPhone 17 Pro. It’s not the best-looking Pro Apple has made, and Apple Intelligence remains a miss, but the fundamentals are excellent. Sustained performance is stronger, the camera system is genuinely versatile with a useful telephoto and proper video tools, and battery life finally fits the ‘small Pro’ brief.
If you want a phone that feels new every time you pick it up, the iPhone Air is a joy. The thinness and balance change the experience in small but constant ways, and the 6.5-inch screen feels just right. You do need to accept the trade-offs though; there’s one very good camera instead of three, good, but not great stamina, and a trimmed featureset in places.
For many people, that will be too much – but that’s exactly why the iPhone 17 Pro still exists. But for the right person, the Air is the most enjoyable iPhone you can buy.
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