The iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max are two extremes that elevate Apple’s smartphones to a new level. So which one should you get?
Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup brings some of the biggest design changes the smartphone series has seen in years, and no two models better highlight this shift than the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone Air is one of the thinnest smartphones Apple has ever made, made for those who value a sleek, portable design.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max doubles down on power with a cutting-edge camera system and a new vapor chamber cooling system.
Both devices are great, but they cater to different audiences. The question of the day is: Which one should you get as your new daily driver? It’s hard to choose, but don’t worry — I’m here to help. Below, I’ve broken down how the iPhone Air compares to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.Specifications
Features
iPhone 17 Air
iPhone 17 Pro Max
$999
$1,199
Display
6.5-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion
6.9-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion
Battery
27 hours of video playback
39 hours of video playback
Finishes
Sky Blue, Black, White, Light Gold
Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, Silver
Processor
A19 Pro
A19 Pro
Frame
Titanium frame
Aluminum unibody
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Camera
18MP Center Stage selfie / 48MP Fusion Main
18MP Center Stage / 48MP Fusion Main, 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, 48MP Fusion Telephoto You should buy the iPhone Air if.
At just 5.6 mm thick, the iPhone Air is nearly a third thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro. Although it appears fragile, it’s anything but, as Apple designed its mobile device to be just as durable as it is elegant.
