Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air

The Apple iPhone 17e (2026) runs on the Apple A19, 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 — 64/100 vs 38/100 (a 26-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 17e has the bigger battery (3600 mAh vs 3149); the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,550,000 vs 2,085,000).

The Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e by 26 points (64/100 vs 38/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 17e
Performance 59
Display 0
Camera 29
Battery 4
Design 96
Value for money 69
Apple iPhone Air
Performance 70
Display 100
Camera 73
Battery 9
Design 93
Value for money 41
What makes Apple iPhone 17e better?
  • Bigger battery: 3600 vs 3149 mAh
  • Lighter: 163g vs 165g
  • Cheaper: $599 vs $999

  • Better design/ergonomics (96/100 vs 93/100)
  • Better value for money (69/100 vs 41/100)
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 2550000 vs 2085000
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3610
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 8810
  • Faster charging: 40W vs 20W
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
  • Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W

  • Higher performance (70/100 vs 59/100)
  • Better camera (73/100 vs 29/100)
  • Longer battery life (9/100 vs 4/100)
  • Better display (100/100 vs 0/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 17e vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone Air scores 26 points higher (64/100 vs 38/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (70/100 vs 59/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (73/100 vs 29/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 17e leads (69/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (70/100 vs 59/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e (100/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e (73/100 vs 29/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (9/100 vs 4/100). In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone 17e and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (96/100 vs 93/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 17e notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (69/100 vs 41/100).

Apple iPhone 17e: The Apple iPhone 17e is a better fit for everyday use.
Apple iPhone Air: The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air
Processor Apple A19 Apple A19 Pro
AnTuTu 2085000 2550000
Geekbench Single 3610 3850
Geekbench Multi 8810 9800
Display 6.1" OLED 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 2556x1179 2736x1260
Refresh rate 60 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 3600 mAh 3149 mAh
Charging 20W 40W
Wireless charging 15W 25W
DXOMark (camera) 141
Main camera 48 MP 48 MP
Front camera 24 MP 12 MP
RAM 8GB 12GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
OS iOS 19 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 163 g 165 g
Price $599 $999
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 17e
  • Main: 48MP f/1.6
  • Front: 24MP
29
camera
Apple iPhone Air
  • Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
  • Front: 12MP
73
camera
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 17e
  • 6.1" OLED
  • Resolution: 2556x1179
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
0
display
Apple iPhone Air
  • 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2736x1260
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 17e
  • 3600 mAh
  • Wired: 20W
  • Wireless: 15W
4
battery
Apple iPhone Air
  • 3149 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
  • Wired: 40W
  • Wireless: 25W
9
battery
Overall performance score

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

Apple iPhone 17e Apple A19
38/100
2085000 AnTuTu
Apple iPhone Air Apple A19 Pro
64/100 +18.2%
2550000 AnTuTu

Apple iPhone Air leads Apple iPhone 17e by 18.2% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Apple iPhone 17e
$599
Apple iPhone Air
$999

Price difference: $400. Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper by $400.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (70/100 vs 59/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e (100/100 vs 0/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e (73/100 vs 29/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (9/100 vs 4/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone 17e and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (96/100 vs 93/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 17e notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (69/100 vs 41/100).

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

The Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e by 26 points (64/100 vs 38/100).

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

The Apple iPhone 17e has a MobileRank rating of 38/100, the Apple iPhone Air — 64/100.

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

The Apple iPhone Air leads on camera score (73/100 vs 29/100).

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

The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (70/100 vs 59/100).

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

The Apple iPhone 17e is a better fit for everyday use. The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for active users.