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; launch prices were $599 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 59/100 (a 16-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 17e has the bigger battery (3600 mAh vs 3149); the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,538,751 vs 2,156,126); the Apple iPhone Air is thinner (5.6mm vs 7.8mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 17e
Apple iPhone Air
What makes Apple iPhone 17e better?
- Bigger battery: 3600 vs 3149 mAh
- Lighter: 163g vs 165g
- Cheaper at launch: $599 vs $999
- Overall rating 59/100
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 2156126
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3692
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 9454
- Faster charging: 40W vs 20W
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 89/100)
- Better camera (73/100 vs 34/100)
- Longer battery life (26/100 vs 21/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 61/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 83/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 17e vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone Air scores 16 points higher (75/100 vs 59/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (73/100 vs 34/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 17e — 32/100, 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 and the Apple iPhone 17e are nearly equal (92/100 vs 89/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e (85/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e (73/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (26/100 vs 21/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (96/100 vs 83/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17e | Apple iPhone Air | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 | Apple A19 Pro | |
| AnTuTu | 2156126 | 2538751 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3692 | 3850 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9454 | 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 | 3000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 146.7×71.5×7.8 mm | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | |
| Weight | 163 g | 165 g | |
| Launch price | $599 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 17e
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 24MP
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 17e
- 6.1" 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 17e
- 3600 mAh
- Wired: 20W
- Wireless: 15W
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 17e and Apple iPhone Air, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone Air leads Apple iPhone 17e by 15.1% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $400. Apple iPhone 17e was $400 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Apple iPhone 17e are nearly equal (92/100 vs 89/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e (85/100 vs 61/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17e (73/100 vs 34/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (26/100 vs 21/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (96/100 vs 83/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17e or the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone Air is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 17e — the overall rating gap is 16 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 17e and the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 17e has a MobileRank rating of 59/100, the Apple iPhone Air — 75/100.
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 34/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 17e over the Apple iPhone Air?
The Apple iPhone 17e is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users.