Apple iPhone Air vs Apple iPhone SE 2022
The Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Apple iPhone SE 2022 (2022) runs on the Apple A15 Bionic; launch prices were $999 and $429. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 52/100 (a 23-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone Air has the bigger battery (3149 mAh vs 2018); the main camera is 48 MP vs 12 MP; the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,538,751 vs 1,413,275); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone Air has the stronger camera (141 vs 100); the Apple iPhone SE 2022 is noticeably lighter (144g vs 165g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone Air
Apple iPhone SE 2022
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 1413275
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 2315
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 5753
- Bigger battery: 3149 vs 2018 mAh
- Faster charging: 40W vs 20W
- Better main camera: 48MP vs 12MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 7W
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 75/100)
- Better camera (73/100 vs 42/100)
- Longer battery life (26/100 vs 19/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 37/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 91/100)
What makes Apple iPhone SE 2022 better?
- Lighter: 144g vs 165g
- Cheaper at launch: $429 vs $999
- Overall rating 52/100
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Apple iPhone SE 2022, the Apple iPhone Air scores 23 points higher (75/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (92/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (73/100 vs 42/100). Value score: Apple iPhone Air — 60/100, Apple iPhone SE 2022 — 30/100; 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 notably outperforms the Apple iPhone SE 2022 (92/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone SE 2022 (85/100 vs 37/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone SE 2022 (73/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (26/100 vs 19/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (96/100 vs 91/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Apple iPhone SE 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Apple A15 Bionic | |
| AnTuTu | 2538751 | 1413275 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3850 | 2315 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9800 | 5753 | |
| Display | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 4.7" IPS LCD | |
| Resolution | 2736x1260 | 750x1334 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz | |
| Battery | 3149 mAh | 2018 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 20W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 7W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 141 | 100 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 7 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 4GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | iOS 15.4, upgradable to iOS 15.4.1 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 625 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP67 | |
| Dimensions | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | 138.4×67.3×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 165 g | 144 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $429 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone SE 2022
- Main: 12MP f/1.8
- Front: 7MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone SE 2022
- 4.7" IPS LCD
- Resolution: 750x1334
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone Air
- 3149 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Apple iPhone SE 2022
- 2018 mAh
- Wired: 20W
- Wireless: 7W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone Air and Apple iPhone SE 2022, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone Air leads Apple iPhone SE 2022 by 79.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $570. Apple iPhone SE 2022 was $570 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Apple iPhone SE 2022 (92/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone SE 2022 (85/100 vs 37/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone SE 2022 (73/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (26/100 vs 19/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (96/100 vs 91/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone Air or the Apple iPhone SE 2022?
The Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone SE 2022 by 23 points (75/100 vs 52/100).
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone Air and the Apple iPhone SE 2022?
The Apple iPhone Air has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Apple iPhone SE 2022 — 52/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone Air or the Apple iPhone SE 2022?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on camera score (73/100 vs 42/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone Air or the Apple iPhone SE 2022?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (92/100 vs 75/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone Air over the Apple iPhone SE 2022?
The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Apple iPhone SE 2022 is a better fit for active users.