Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone Air

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro, while the Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 64/100 vs 40/100 (a 24-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (5100 mAh vs 3149).

The Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max by 24 points (64/100 vs 40/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Performance 0
Display 100
Camera 66
Battery 44
Design 50
Value for money 55
Apple iPhone Air
Performance 70
Display 100
Camera 73
Battery 9
Design 93
Value for money 41
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?
  • Bigger battery: 5100 vs 3149 mAh

  • Longer battery life (44/100 vs 9/100)
  • Better value for money (55/100 vs 41/100)
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
  • Faster charging: 40W vs 25W

  • Higher performance (70/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better camera (73/100 vs 66/100)
  • Better design/ergonomics (93/100 vs 50/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs the Apple iPhone Air, the Apple iPhone Air scores 24 points higher (64/100 vs 40/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (70/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (44/100 vs 9/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (55/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (70/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (73/100 vs 66/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (44/100 vs 9/100). In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (93/100 vs 50/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (55/100 vs 41/100).

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max 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 18 Pro Max Apple iPhone Air
Processor Apple A20 Pro Apple A19 Pro
AnTuTu 2550000
Geekbench Single 3850
Geekbench Multi 9800
Display 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1320x2868 2736x1260
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 5100 mAh 3149 mAh
Charging 25W 40W
Wireless charging 25W 25W
DXOMark (camera) 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 / 2TB 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
OS iOS 27 iOS 26
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP68
Dimensions 6.0×None×None mm
Weight 165 g
Price $999
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
  • Ultrawide: 48MP
  • Telephoto: 48MP
  • Front: 18MP
66
camera
Apple iPhone Air
  • Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
  • Front: 12MP
73
camera
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 1320x2868
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Apple iPhone Air
  • 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2736x1260
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • 5100 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • Wireless: 25W
44
battery
Apple iPhone Air
  • 3149 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
  • Wired: 40W
  • Wireless: 25W
9
battery
Benchmarks
Price and availability
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Price unknown
Apple iPhone Air
$999
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (70/100 vs 0/100).

display

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

camera

In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (73/100 vs 66/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (44/100 vs 9/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (93/100 vs 50/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (55/100 vs 41/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max by 24 points (64/100 vs 40/100).

What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 40/100, the Apple iPhone Air — 64/100.

Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone Air leads on camera score (73/100 vs 66/100).

Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (70/100 vs 0/100).

Should you choose the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max over the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for everyday use. The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for active users.