Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone Air
The Apple iPhone 16 (2024) runs on the Apple A18, 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 68/100 (a 7-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 16 has the bigger battery (3561 mAh vs 3149); the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,538,751 vs 1,972,476); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 16 has the stronger camera (147 vs 141); the Apple iPhone Air is thinner (5.6mm vs 7.8mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone Air
What makes Apple iPhone 16 better?
- Bigger battery: 3561 vs 3149 mAh
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $999
- Better camera (78/100 vs 73/100)
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 1972476
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3100
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 7700
- Faster charging: 40W vs 27W
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Lighter: 165g vs 170g
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 84/100)
- Longer battery life (26/100 vs 24/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 61/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 79/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone Air scores 7 points higher (75/100 vs 68/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 — 50/100, 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 84/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (85/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 is a bit better (78/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Apple iPhone 16 are nearly equal (26/100 vs 24/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (96/100 vs 79/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone Air | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 | Apple A19 Pro | |
| AnTuTu | 1972476 | 2538751 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3100 | 3850 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 7700 | 9800 | |
| Display | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | |
| Resolution | 2556x1179 | 2736x1260 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3561 mAh | 3149 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 40W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 147 | 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 | 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 | 170 g | 165 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR 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 16
- 3561 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 and Apple iPhone Air, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone Air leads Apple iPhone 16 by 22.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $200. Apple iPhone 16 was $200 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
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 Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (85/100 vs 61/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 is a bit better (78/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Apple iPhone 16 are nearly equal (26/100 vs 24/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (96/100 vs 79/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air edges out the Apple iPhone 16 by just 7 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 and the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 16 has a MobileRank rating of 68/100, the Apple iPhone Air — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 16 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (92/100 vs 84/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 over the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users.