Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 17 Air

The Apple iPhone 16 (2024) runs on the Apple A18, while the Apple iPhone 17 Air (2024) runs on the Apple A19. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 17 Air leads — 70/100 vs 67/100 (a 3-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 17 Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,156,126 vs 1,650,000).

The Apple iPhone 17 Air edges out the Apple iPhone 16 by just 3 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16
Performance 82
Display 61
Camera 78
Battery 24
Portability 79
Value for money 66
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Performance 89
Display 92
Camera 30
Battery
Portability
Value for money
What makes Apple iPhone 16 better?

  • Better camera (78/100 vs 30/100)
What makes Apple iPhone 17 Air better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 2156126 vs 1650000
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3692 vs 3100
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9454 vs 7700

  • Higher performance (89/100 vs 82/100)
  • Better display (92/100 vs 61/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 vs the Apple iPhone 17 Air, the Apple iPhone 17 Air scores 3 points higher (70/100 vs 67/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 leads (78/100 vs 30/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Air is a bit better (89/100 vs 82/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (92/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Air (78/100 vs 30/100).

Apple iPhone 16: The Apple iPhone 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users.
Apple iPhone 17 Air: The Apple iPhone 17 Air is a better fit for gamers and power users.
Specs comparison
Specification Apple iPhone 16 Apple iPhone 17 Air
Processor Apple A18 Apple A19
AnTuTu 1650000 2156126
Geekbench Single 3100 3692
Geekbench Multi 7700 9454
Display 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED 6.6" Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2556x1179 1290x2796
Refresh rate 60 Hz
Battery 3561 mAh
Charging 27W
Wireless charging 25W
DXOMark (camera) 147
Main camera 48 MP 48 MP
Ultrawide 12 MP 0 MP
Front camera 12 MP 12 MP
RAM 8GB 8GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
OS iOS 18 iOS 19
Brightness (peak) 2000 nits
NFC yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 147.6×71.6×7.8 mm
Weight 170 g
Price $447
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16
  • Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Front: 12MP
78
camera
Apple iPhone 17 Air
  • Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
  • Front: 12MP
30
camera
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16
  • 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2556x1179
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
61
display
Apple iPhone 17 Air
  • 6.6" Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 1290x2796
  • Refresh rate: —
92
display
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16
  • 3561 mAh
  • Wired: 27W
  • Wireless: 25W
24
battery
Apple iPhone 17 Air
  • Wireless charging: no data
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone 17 Air, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Apple iPhone 16 Apple A18
67/100
1650000 AnTuTu
Apple iPhone 17 Air Apple A19
70/100 +23.5%
2156126 AnTuTu

Apple iPhone 17 Air leads Apple iPhone 16 by 23.5% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Apple iPhone 16
$447
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Air is a bit better (89/100 vs 82/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (92/100 vs 61/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Air (78/100 vs 30/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone 17 Air?

The Apple iPhone 17 Air edges out the Apple iPhone 16 by just 3 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 and the Apple iPhone 17 Air?

The Apple iPhone 16 has a MobileRank rating of 67/100, the Apple iPhone 17 Air — 70/100.

Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone 17 Air?

The Apple iPhone 16 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 30/100).

Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone 17 Air?

The Apple iPhone 17 Air leads on performance (89/100 vs 82/100).

Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 over the Apple iPhone 17 Air?

The Apple iPhone 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Apple iPhone 17 Air is a better fit for gamers and power users.