Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Apple iPhone Air
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro (2024) runs on the Apple A18 Pro, while the Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro; launch prices were $999 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 73/100 (a 2-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro has the bigger battery (3582 mAh vs 3149); the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,538,751 vs 1,782,199); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro has the stronger camera (157 vs 141); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 199g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Apple iPhone Air
What makes Apple iPhone 16 Pro better?
- Bigger battery: 3582 vs 3149 mAh
- Better camera (86/100 vs 73/100)
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 1782199
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3400
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 8300
- Faster charging: 40W vs 27W
- Lighter: 165g vs 199g
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 85/100)
- Longer battery life (26/100 vs 24/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 56/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone Air scores 2 points higher (75/100 vs 73/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro leads (86/100 vs 73/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 Pro — 56/100, 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 85/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 85/100. In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is a bit better (86/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro are nearly equal (26/100 vs 24/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro (96/100 vs 56/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Apple iPhone Air | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Apple A19 Pro | |
| AnTuTu | 1782199 | 2538751 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3400 | 3850 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8300 | 9800 | |
| Display | 6.3" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | |
| Resolution | 2622x1206 | 2736x1260 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3582 mAh | 3149 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 40W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | 141 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 0 MP | |
| Telephoto | 12 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 18 | iOS 26 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2000 nits | 3000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 149.6×71.5×8.3 mm | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | |
| Weight | 199 g | 165 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- Main: 48MP f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- 6.3" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2622x1206
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- 3582 mAh
- Wired: 27W
- 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 Pro and Apple iPhone Air, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone Air leads Apple iPhone 16 Pro by 29.8% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 85/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 85/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is a bit better (86/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro are nearly equal (26/100 vs 24/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro (96/100 vs 56/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air edges out the Apple iPhone 16 Pro by just 2 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro has a MobileRank rating of 73/100, the Apple iPhone Air — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro leads on camera score (86/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (92/100 vs 85/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro over the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users.