Apple iPhone Air vs Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $999 and $986. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads — 92/100 vs 75/100 (a 17-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 mAh vs 3149); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (5,001,234 vs 2,538,751); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 235g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone Air
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- Lighter: 165g vs 235g
- Better display (85/100 vs 82/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 33/100)
What makes Xiaomi 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5001234 vs 2538751
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 3850
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 9800
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 3149 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 40W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
- Cheaper at launch: $986 vs $999
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 92/100)
- Better camera (100/100 vs 73/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 26/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores 17 points higher (92/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 26/100). Value score: Apple iPhone Air — 60/100, Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 96/100; 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 Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is a bit better (100/100 vs 92/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (100/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (92/100 vs 26/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (96/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 2538751 | 5001234 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3850 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9800 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2736x1260 | 1208x2624 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3149 mAh | 8500 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 | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 4000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | 163.4×77.6×8.4 mm | |
| Weight | 165 g | 235 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $986 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1208x2624
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone Air
- 3149 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone Air and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads Apple iPhone Air by 49.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $13. Xiaomi 18 Pro Max was $13 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is a bit better (100/100 vs 92/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (100/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (92/100 vs 26/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (96/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone Air or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone Air — the overall rating gap is 17 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone Air and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone Air has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 92/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone Air or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (100/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone Air or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on performance (100/100 vs 92/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone Air over the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.