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; estimated prices are $1059 and $790. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 64/100 (a 11-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 (2,550,000 vs 1,822,701); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 199g).
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone Air
- Bigger battery: 4674 vs 3149 mAh
- Longer battery life (47/100 vs 26/100)
- Better display (90/100 vs 85/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 2550000 vs 1822701
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3291
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 8136
- Faster charging: 40W vs 25W
- Lighter: 165g vs 199g
- Cheaper: $790 vs $1059
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 84/100)
- Better camera (73/100 vs 34/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 61/100)
- Better value for money (62/100 vs 40/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone Air scores 11 points higher (75/100 vs 64/100). 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 "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (62/100 vs 40/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 84/100). 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). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Plus (62/100 vs 40/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Apple iPhone Air | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 | Apple A19 Pro | |
| AnTuTu | 1822701 | 2550000 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3291 | 3850 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8136 | 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 | |
| Price | $1059 | $790 |
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
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
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
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 28.5% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $269. Apple iPhone Air is cheaper by $269.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 84/100).
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).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Plus (62/100 vs 40/100).
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 11 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 64/100, 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 84/100).
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.