Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Apple iPhone Air
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus (2024) runs on the Apple A18, while the Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 65/100 (a 10-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 16 Plus has the bigger battery (4674 mAh vs 3149); the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,538,751 vs 1,972,476); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 199g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone Air
What makes Apple iPhone 16 Plus better?
- Bigger battery: 4674 vs 3149 mAh
- Longer battery life (47/100 vs 26/100)
- Better display (90/100 vs 85/100)
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 1972476
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3431
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 8638
- Faster charging: 40W vs 25W
- Lighter: 165g vs 199g
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 86/100)
- Better camera (73/100 vs 34/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 61/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone Air scores 10 points higher (75/100 vs 65/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (73/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus leads (47/100 vs 26/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 86/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is a bit better (90/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Plus (73/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (47/100 vs 26/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Plus (96/100 vs 61/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Apple iPhone Air | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 | Apple A19 Pro | |
| AnTuTu | 1972476 | 2538751 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3431 | 3850 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8638 | 9800 | |
| Display | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | |
| Resolution | 1290x2796 | 2736x1260 | |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4674 mAh | 3149 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 40W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 141 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.1 | iOS 26 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2000 nits | 3000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 160.9×77.8×7.8 mm | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | |
| Weight | 199 g | 165 g | |
| Launch price | — | $999 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
- 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1290x2796
- Refresh rate: —
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
- 4674 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 25W
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 16 Plus and Apple iPhone Air, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone Air leads Apple iPhone 16 Plus by 22.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 86/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is a bit better (90/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Plus (73/100 vs 34/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (47/100 vs 26/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Plus (96/100 vs 61/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 16 Plus — the overall rating gap is 10 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus has a MobileRank rating of 65/100, the Apple iPhone Air — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on camera score (73/100 vs 34/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (92/100 vs 86/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 Plus over the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users.