Apple iPhone Air vs Xiaomi 17 Max

The Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Xiaomi 17 Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $999 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads — 84/100 vs 64/100 (a 20-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Max has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 3149); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,654,776 vs 2,550,000); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 219g).

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air by 20 points (84/100 vs 64/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone Air
Performance 70
Display 100
Camera 73
Battery 9
Design 93
Value for money 41
Xiaomi 17 Max
Performance 88
Display 100
Camera 90
Battery 83
Design 26
Value for money 55
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3640
  • Lighter: 165g vs 219g

  • Better design/ergonomics (93/100 vs 26/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Max better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3654776 vs 2550000
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 9800
  • Bigger battery: 8000 vs 3149 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 40W
  • Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
  • Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
  • Cheaper: $799 vs $999

  • Higher performance (88/100 vs 70/100)
  • Better camera (90/100 vs 73/100)
  • Longer battery life (83/100 vs 9/100)
  • Better value for money (55/100 vs 41/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Xiaomi 17 Max, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 20 points higher (84/100 vs 64/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (88/100 vs 70/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (83/100 vs 9/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (55/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (88/100 vs 70/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (90/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (83/100 vs 9/100). In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (93/100 vs 26/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max is a bit better (55/100 vs 41/100).

Apple iPhone Air: The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for active users.
Xiaomi 17 Max: The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life.
Specs comparison
Specification Apple iPhone Air Xiaomi 17 Max
Processor Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
AnTuTu 2550000 3654776
Geekbench Single 3850 3640
Geekbench Multi 9800 11033
Display 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
Resolution 2736x1260 2608x1200
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 3149 mAh 8000 mAh
Charging 40W 100W
Wireless charging 25W 50W
DXOMark (camera) 141
Main camera 48 MP 200 MP
Ultrawide 0 MP 50 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 50 MP
Front camera 12 MP 32 MP
RAM 12GB 12GB / 16GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 256GB / 512GB
OS iOS 26 Android 16
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP68
Dimensions 6.0×None×None mm
Weight 165 g 219 g
Price $999 $799
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone Air
  • Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
  • Front: 12MP
73
camera
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
90
camera
Display comparison
Apple iPhone Air
  • 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2736x1260
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2608x1200
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone Air
  • 3149 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
  • Wired: 40W
  • Wireless: 25W
9
battery
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 8000 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 50W
83
battery
Overall performance score

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

Apple iPhone Air Apple A19 Pro
64/100
2550000 AnTuTu
Xiaomi 17 Max Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
84/100 +30.2%
3654776 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 Max leads Apple iPhone Air by 30.2% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Apple iPhone Air
$999
Xiaomi 17 Max
$799

Price difference: $200. Xiaomi 17 Max is cheaper by $200.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (88/100 vs 70/100).

display

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

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (90/100 vs 73/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (83/100 vs 9/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (93/100 vs 26/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max is a bit better (55/100 vs 41/100).

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

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air by 20 points (84/100 vs 64/100).

What is the rating of the Apple iPhone Air and the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Apple iPhone Air has a MobileRank rating of 64/100, the Xiaomi 17 Max — 84/100.

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

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on camera score (90/100 vs 73/100).

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

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on performance (88/100 vs 70/100).

Should you choose the Apple iPhone Air over the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life.