Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone Air
The Apple iPhone 15 (2023) runs on the Apple A16 Bionic, while the Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro; launch prices were $799 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 65/100 (a 10-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 15 has the bigger battery (3349 mAh vs 3149); the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,538,751 vs 1,626,008); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 15 has the stronger camera (145 vs 141); the Apple iPhone Air is thinner (5.6mm vs 7.8mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone Air
What makes Apple iPhone 15 better?
- Bigger battery: 3349 vs 3149 mAh
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $999
- Better camera (76/100 vs 73/100)
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 1626008
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 2631
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 6602
- Faster charging: 40W vs 20W
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Lighter: 165g vs 171g
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 79/100)
- Longer battery life (26/100 vs 20/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 61/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 78/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 15 vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone Air scores 10 points higher (75/100 vs 65/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (92/100 vs 79/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 15 — 44/100, Apple iPhone Air — 60/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 79/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 (85/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 15 and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (76/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (26/100 vs 20/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 (96/100 vs 78/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 15 | Apple iPhone Air | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple A19 Pro | |
| AnTuTu | 1626008 | 2538751 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2631 | 3850 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 6602 | 9800 | |
| Display | 6.1" OLED | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | |
| Resolution | 2556x1179 | 2736x1260 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3349 mAh | 3149 mAh | |
| Charging | 20W | 40W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 145 | 141 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 17 | iOS 26 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2000 nits | 3000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 147.6×71.6×7.8 mm | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | |
| Weight | 171 g | 165 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 15
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 15
- 6.1" OLED
- Resolution: 2556x1179
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 15
- 3349 mAh
- Wired: 20W
- Wireless: 15W
Apple iPhone Air
- 3149 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 15 and Apple iPhone Air, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone Air leads Apple iPhone 15 by 36.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $200. Apple iPhone 15 was $200 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 79/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 (85/100 vs 61/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 15 and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (76/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (26/100 vs 20/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 (96/100 vs 78/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 15 or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 15 — the overall rating gap is 10 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 15 and the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 15 has a MobileRank rating of 65/100, the Apple iPhone Air — 75/100.
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 15 or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (92/100 vs 79/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 15 over the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 15 is a better fit for active users. The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users.