Apple iPhone 16e vs Apple iPhone Air

The Apple iPhone 16e (2025) runs on the Apple A18, while the Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro; estimated prices are $599 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 55/100 (a 20-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 16e has the bigger battery (3279 mAh vs 3149); the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,550,000 vs 1,790,000).

The Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e by 20 points (75/100 vs 55/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16e
Performance 84
Display 61
Camera 30
Battery 19
Portability 80
Value for money 22
Apple iPhone Air
Performance 92
Display 85
Camera 73
Battery 26
Portability 94
Value for money 62
What makes Apple iPhone 16e better?
  • Bigger battery: 3279 vs 3149 mAh
  • Cheaper: $599 vs $999

  • Overall rating 55/100
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 2550000 vs 1790000
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3254
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 8070
  • Faster charging: 40W vs 20W
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
  • Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 7W
  • Lighter: 165g vs 167g

  • Higher performance (92/100 vs 84/100)
  • Better camera (73/100 vs 30/100)
  • Longer battery life (26/100 vs 19/100)
  • Better display (85/100 vs 61/100)
  • Better portability (94/100 vs 80/100)
  • Better value for money (62/100 vs 22/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 16e vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone Air scores 20 points higher (75/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (73/100 vs 30/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (62/100 vs 22/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 84/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (85/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (73/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (26/100 vs 19/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (94/100 vs 80/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (62/100 vs 22/100).

Apple iPhone 16e: The Apple iPhone 16e is a better fit for gamers and power users.
Apple iPhone Air: The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users.
Specs comparison
Specification Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone Air
Processor Apple A18 Apple A19 Pro
AnTuTu 1790000 2550000
Geekbench Single 3254 3850
Geekbench Multi 8070 9800
Display 6.1" OLED 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2532x1170 2736x1260
Refresh rate 60 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 3279 mAh 3149 mAh
Charging 20W 40W
Wireless charging 7W 25W
DXOMark (camera) 141
Main camera 48 MP 48 MP
Front camera 12 MP 12 MP
RAM 8GB 12GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
OS iOS 18 iOS 26
Brightness (peak) 1200 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP68
Dimensions 146.7×71.5×7.8 mm 6.0×None×None mm
Weight 167 g 165 g
Price $599 $999
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16e
  • Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
  • Front: 12MP
30
camera
Apple iPhone Air
  • Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
  • Front: 12MP
73
camera
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16e
  • 6.1" OLED
  • Resolution: 2532x1170
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
61
display
Apple iPhone Air
  • 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2736x1260
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
85
display
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16e
  • 3279 mAh
  • Wired: 20W
  • Wireless: 7W
19
battery
Apple iPhone Air
  • 3149 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
  • Wired: 40W
  • Wireless: 25W
26
battery
Overall performance score

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

Apple iPhone 16e Apple A18
55/100
1790000 AnTuTu
Apple iPhone Air Apple A19 Pro
75/100 +29.8%
2550000 AnTuTu

Apple iPhone Air leads Apple iPhone 16e by 29.8% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Apple iPhone 16e
$599
Apple iPhone Air
$999

Price difference: $400. Apple iPhone 16e is cheaper by $400.

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 16e (85/100 vs 61/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (73/100 vs 30/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (26/100 vs 19/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (94/100 vs 80/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (62/100 vs 22/100).

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

The Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e by 20 points (75/100 vs 55/100).

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

The Apple iPhone 16e has a MobileRank rating of 55/100, the Apple iPhone Air — 75/100.

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

The Apple iPhone Air leads on camera score (73/100 vs 30/100).

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

The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (92/100 vs 84/100).

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

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