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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17 Air
Choosing between Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 17 Air can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
Ratings: 4.4★ vs 4.9★
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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
★4.4
(250)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A16 Bionic chip (4nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
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Apple iPhone 17 Air
★4.9
(13)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
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Comparison: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 17 Air
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
★4.4(250)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 17 Air
★4.9(13)Best Buy
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max | Apple iPhone 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(250)Best Buy | ★4.9(13)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | iOS |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Apple A16 Bionic chip (4nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic) | Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) |
RAM | 6 GB (LPDDR5) | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi) | 2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels | 48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support | No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software) |
Telephoto Camera | 12MP 3x Telephoto (77 mm, f/2.8), optical image stabilization, 6-element lens | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x optical zoom steps (6x optical zoom range) | 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 15x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB storage) | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 4323 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed) | 3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed) |
Wired Charging | Lightning; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (First-generation); NFC with reader mode | 5G (sub-6 GHz only, no mmWave) using Apple-designed modem; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode |
USB | Lightning connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s) | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Surgical-grade stainless steel; Textured matte glass back | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Grade 5 Titanium alloy frame (internal aluminum structure); Ceramic Shield back |
Dimensions | 6.33" x 3.06" x 0.31" (160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85 mm) | 6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm) |
Weight | 8.47 oz (240 g) | 5.82 oz (165 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
Extras | Dynamic Island; Always-On display; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Ring/Silent switch | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Rating:★4.4(250)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A16 Bionic chip (4nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
RAM:6 GB (LPDDR5)
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera:12MP 3x Telephoto (77 mm, f/2.8), optical image stabilization, 6-element lens
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x optical zoom steps (6x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 15x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB storage)
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:4323 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:Lightning; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (First-generation); NFC with reader mode
USB:Lightning connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s)
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Surgical-grade stainless steel; Textured matte glass back
Dimensions:6.33" x 3.06" x 0.31" (160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85 mm)
Weight:8.47 oz (240 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Dynamic Island; Always-On display; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Ring/Silent switch
✓ Pros:
- • First iPhone to introduce the Dynamic Island interface
- • Excellent battery life (4323 mAh), still competitive with newer models
- • Bright 120Hz ProMotion display with Always-On functionality
- • Premium stainless steel build feels more substantial than aluminum models
- • Versatile camera system with 3x optical zoom and macro mode
✗ Cons:
- • Uses the obsolete Lightning port instead of USB-C
- • Significantly heavier (240 g) than the newer Titanium 'Pro Max' models
- • Wi-Fi 6 is slower than the Wi-Fi 6E/7 found in newer iPhones
- • No support for newer Qi2 wireless charging standard (limited to 7.5W on generic Qi)
- • Repair costs for the back glass are higher compared to iPhone 15/16 series
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Apple iPhone 17 Air
Rating:★4.9(13)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software)
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
Front Camera:24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz only, no mmWave) using Apple-designed modem; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Grade 5 Titanium alloy frame (internal aluminum structure); Ceramic Shield back
Dimensions:6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm)
Weight:5.82 oz (165 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis
- • 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
- • Powered by the A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM for full Apple Intelligence support
- • Upgraded 24MP front camera for superior selfies and video calls
- • Excellent main camera performance with 2x lossless crop
✗ Cons:
- • High price for a single-camera system (no Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses)
- • Battery life is shorter than the 'Plus' model it replaces due to thinness
- • USB-C port is limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No mmWave 5G support (Sub-6 GHz only due to Apple modem restrictions)
- • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Apple iPhone 17 Air: 4.4★ vs Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max: 4.9★), Apple iPhone 17 Air pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max suits buyers who need First iPhone to introduce the Dynamic Island interface, Excellent battery life (4323 mAh), still competitive with newer models
- Apple iPhone 17 Air suits buyers who want Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis, 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max excels if you value first iphone to introduce the dynamic island interface. Apple iPhone 17 Air is better if you prioritize thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
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