Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone Air

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro; launch prices were $1099 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro leads — 79/100 vs 75/100 (a 4-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro has the bigger battery (3998 mAh vs 3149); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro has the stronger camera (168 vs 141); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 206g).

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro edges out the Apple iPhone Air by just 4 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

Profile comparison

Category scores

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Performance 92
Display 85
Camera 94
Battery 37
Portability 47
Value for money 68

Apple iPhone Air

Performance 92
Display 85
Camera 73
Battery 26
Portability 96
Value for money 60

What makes Apple iPhone 17 Pro better?

  • Better Geekbench Single: 3895 vs 3850
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9988 vs 9800
  • Bigger battery: 3998 vs 3149 mAh

  • Better camera (94/100 vs 73/100)
  • Longer battery life (37/100 vs 26/100)

What makes Apple iPhone Air better?

  • Lighter: 165g vs 206g
  • Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1099

  • Better portability (96/100 vs 47/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro scores 4 points higher (79/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro leads (94/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro leads (37/100 vs 26/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 17 Pro — 68/100, 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, both devices are on the same level — 92/100. In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 85/100. In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (94/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is a bit better (37/100 vs 26/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro (96/100 vs 47/100).

Apple iPhone 17 Pro: The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.
Apple iPhone Air: The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users.

Specs comparison

Specification Apple iPhone 17 Pro Apple iPhone Air
Processor Apple A19 Pro Apple A19 Pro
AnTuTu 2538751 2538751
Geekbench Single 3895 3850
Geekbench Multi 9988 9800
Display 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2622x1206 2736x1260
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 3998 mAh 3149 mAh
Charging 40W 40W
Wireless charging 25W 25W
DXOMark (camera) 168 141
Main camera 48 MP 48 MP
Ultrawide 48 MP 0 MP
Telephoto 48 MP 0 MP
Front camera 18 MP 12 MP
RAM 12GB 12GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
OS iOS 26 iOS 26
Brightness (peak) 3000 nits 3000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP68
Dimensions 150.0×71.9×8.8 mm 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm
Weight 206 g 165 g
Launch price $1099 $999

Camera comparison

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

  • Main: 48MP f/1.78
  • Ultrawide: 48MP
  • Telephoto: 48MP
  • Front: 18MP
94
camera

Apple iPhone Air

  • Main: 48MP f/1.6
  • Front: 12MP
73
camera

Display comparison

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

  • 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2622x1206
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
85
display

Apple iPhone Air

  • 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2736x1260
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
85
display

Battery and charging

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

  • 3998 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 9:51 hrs, total 26:48 hrs
  • Wired: 40W
  • Wireless: 25W
37
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 17 Pro and Apple iPhone Air, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Apple A19 Pro
79/100
2538751 AnTuTu
Apple iPhone Air Apple A19 Pro
75/100
2538751 AnTuTu

Equal performance based on benchmark results.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

$1099

Apple iPhone Air

$999

Launch price difference: $100. Apple iPhone Air was $100 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, both devices are on the same level — 92/100.

display

In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 85/100.

camera

In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (94/100 vs 73/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is a bit better (37/100 vs 26/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro (96/100 vs 47/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro edges out the Apple iPhone Air by just 4 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

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

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro has a MobileRank rating of 79/100, the Apple iPhone Air — 75/100.

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

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro leads on camera score (94/100 vs 73/100).

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

The Apple iPhone 17 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.