Apple iPhone Air vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
The Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (2025) runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $999 and $892. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads — 87/100 vs 75/100 (a 12-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) has the bigger battery (6800 mAh vs 3149); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is faster in AnTuTu (3,942,923 vs 2,568,709); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 224g).
Apple iPhone Air
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3640
- Lighter: 165g vs 224g
- Better display (85/100 vs 81/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 42/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3942923 vs 2568709
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 9800
- Bigger battery: 6800 vs 3149 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 40W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
- Cheaper at launch: $892 vs $999
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 92/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 73/100)
- Longer battery life (83/100 vs 26/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) scores 12 points higher (87/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (87/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (83/100 vs 26/100). Value score: Apple iPhone Air — 62/100, Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 86/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a bit better (98/100 vs 92/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a bit better (87/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (83/100 vs 26/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (96/100 vs 42/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2568709 | 3942923 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3850 | 3640 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9800 | 11033 | |
| Display | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2736x1260 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3149 mAh | 6800 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 141 | — | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 165 g | 224 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $892 |
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone Air
- 3149 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6800 mAh
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
We compared Apple iPhone Air and Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads Apple iPhone Air by 34.9% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $107. Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) was $107 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a bit better (98/100 vs 92/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a bit better (87/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (83/100 vs 26/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (96/100 vs 42/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone Air or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone Air — the overall rating gap is 12 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone Air and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Apple iPhone Air has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone Air or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on camera score (87/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone Air or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on performance (98/100 vs 92/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone Air over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.