Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 17 Air (2024) runs on the Apple A19, while the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads — 80/100 vs 70/100 (a 10-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,551,073 vs 2,156,126).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
What makes Apple iPhone 17 Air better?
- Better display (92/100 vs 85/100)
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3551073 vs 2156126
- Better Geekbench Single: 4612 vs 3692
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11819 vs 9454
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 89/100)
- Better camera (71/100 vs 30/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 Air vs the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 10 points higher (80/100 vs 70/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (71/100 vs 30/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (97/100 vs 89/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Air (71/100 vs 30/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Air | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 | Apple A20 Pro | |
| AnTuTu | 2156126 | 3551073 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3692 | 4612 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9454 | 11819 | |
| Display | 6.6" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | |
| Resolution | 1290x2796 | 1320x2868 | |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | — | 5567 mAh | |
| Charging | — | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | — | 25W | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 48 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 48 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 18 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | |
| OS | iOS 19 | iOS 27 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 3000 nits | |
| NFC | — | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | — | 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm | |
| Weight | — | 249 g | |
| Launch price | — | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 17 Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.48
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 17 Air
- 6.6" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1290x2796
- Refresh rate: —
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1320x2868
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 17 Air
- —
- Wireless charging: no data
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 5567 mAh
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 17 Air and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Apple iPhone 17 Air by 39.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (97/100 vs 89/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Air is a bit better (92/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Air (71/100 vs 30/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 Air or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 17 Air — the overall rating gap is 10 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 17 Air and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 17 Air has a MobileRank rating of 70/100, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — 80/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 17 Air or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (71/100 vs 30/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 17 Air or the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 89/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 17 Air over the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone 17 Air is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users.