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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 17 Air
The Apple iPhone 16 is the pricier option, but its A18 chip with 8GB RAM ensures top-notch performance for demanding tasks in 2026. You'll appreciate the 48MP camera that allows for a stunning 2x optical-quality zoom, making it a great choice for photography enthusiasts. In real-world use, the iPhone 17 Air's 120Hz ProMotion display transforms scrolling and gaming, providing a smooth experience. However, its thinner design means a smaller battery at 3150mAh, which impacts overall longevity compared to the iPhone 16's 3561mAh battery. If you're after a premium feel and can handle the thinner battery, the iPhone 17 Air might be your pick.
📱 Display: 6.1" vs 6.6"⚡ Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz🔋 Battery: 3561 mAh vs 3150 mAh
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Apple iPhone 16
★4.8
(219)•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 A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
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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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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 16
6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Apple iPhone 17 Air
6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 16
60 Hz
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On displayWinner
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 16
Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 16
8 GB
Apple iPhone 17 Air
12 GB (LPDDR5X)Winner
Storage
Apple iPhone 16
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Apple iPhone 17 Air
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)Winner
Camera1 specs
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 16
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Apple iPhone 17 Air
No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 16
3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playbackWinner
Apple iPhone 17 Air
3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed)
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 16
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Apple iPhone 17 Air
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 16
6.00 oz (170 g)
Apple iPhone 17 Air
5.82 oz (165 g)Winner
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 16
5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Apple iPhone 17 Air
6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 16
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
Apple iPhone 17 Air
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
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone 17 Air
Apple iPhone 16
★4.8(219)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 17 Air
★4.9(13)Best Buy
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(219)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 A18 (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 (A18) | Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) |
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.12" 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 | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) | 2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 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); 1 nit minimum | 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) | 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 | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS | 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 optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) | 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 10x | 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 | 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 | 3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback | 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 | 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 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 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; 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 | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output | 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 (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused 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 | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) | 6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm) |
Weight | 6.00 oz (170 g) | 5.82 oz (165 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | 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 | 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 16
Rating:★4.8(219)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 A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
RAM:8 GB
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 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:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera: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 optical-quality zoom steps (4x 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:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
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 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; 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 front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back
Dimensions:5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Weight:6.00 oz (170 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:
- • A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
- • 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
- • Added Macro photography support to the non-Pro lineup
- • MagSafe charging speed increased to 25W (requires 30W adapter)
- • New physical Camera Control and Action buttons added
✗ Cons:
- • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- • USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No dedicated telephoto lens (zoom beyond 2x is digital)
- • Always-On display feature is omitted
- • No physical SIM tray in US models (eSIM only)
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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)
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Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 16 is the better buy for most people - its 3561mAh battery lasts up to 22 hours of video playback, crushing the iPhone 17 Air's 3150mAh battery. That said, grab the iPhone 17 Air if you want a stunning display and a slimmer design - it's lighter at 5.82oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 16 if: you need longer battery life with up to 22 hours of video playback, enjoy a versatile camera with 2x optical zoom, or prefer a well-rounded flagship experience.
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Air if: you want a thinner design at just 5.6mm, need a 120Hz display for smoother scrolling, or prioritize a lightweight feel in your pocket.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 16 excels if you value a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence. 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.
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