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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Motorola edge (2024)

Key specs: Refresh: 120 Hz vs 144 Hz and Battery: 3150 mAh vs 5000 mAh. In real-world use, the Motorola edge shines with its 144Hz display, making gaming and scrolling feel incredibly smooth compared to the iPhone's 120Hz.

⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 144 Hz🔋 Battery: 3150 mAh vs 5000 mAh⚖️ Weight: 5.82 oz vs 6.14 oz

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Apple iPhone 17 Air

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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Motorola edge (2024)

Motorola edge (2024)

4.5
(339)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:2 major Android OS upgrades; 3 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 710
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Motorola edge (2024)
6.6" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Motorola edge (2024)
144Hz (Gaming mode)Winner
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Motorola edge (2024)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Mobile Platform
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
12 GB (LPDDR5X)Winner
Motorola edge (2024)
8GB LPDDR4X
Storage
Apple iPhone 17 Air
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Motorola edge (2024)
256GB (UFS 2.2)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Motorola edge (2024)
50MP Wide (Sony LYTIA 700C, f/1.8, 1.0µm), PDAF, OISWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 17 Air
No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software)
Motorola edge (2024)
13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV), Macro Vision
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed)
Motorola edge (2024)
5,000 mAh (Non-removable)Winner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 17 Air
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Motorola edge (2024)
15W Wireless Charging
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 17 Air
5.82 oz (165 g)Winner
Motorola edge (2024)
6.14 oz (174 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 17 Air
6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm)
Motorola edge (2024)
6.29" x 2.83" x 0.32" (159.6 x 72.0 x 8.1 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 17 Air
iOS
Motorola edge (2024)
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
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
Motorola edge (2024)
5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by carrier); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Motorola edge (2024)

Apple iPhone 17 Air

Apple iPhone 17 Air

4.9(13)Best Buy
Motorola edge (2024)

Motorola edge (2024)

4.5(339)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 17 Air

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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Motorola edge (2024)

Motorola edge (2024)

Rating:4.5(339)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:2 major Android OS upgrades; 3 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 710
RAM:8GB LPDDR4X
Storage:256GB (UFS 2.2)
Display Size:6.6" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:pOLED Endless Edge Display (10-bit)
Resolution:2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), 402 ppi
Refresh Rate:144Hz (Gaming mode)
Peak Brightness:1,300 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (Sony LYTIA 700C, f/1.8, 1.0µm), PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV), Macro Vision
Telephoto Camera:N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens)
Optical Zoom:N/A (Optical quality at 2x via sensor crop)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Front Camera:32MP Front (f/2.4, 0.7µm), Quad Pixel technology
Battery:5,000 mAh (Non-removable)
Wired Charging:Up to 68W TurboPower (Charger usually sold separately in US)
Wireless Charging:15W Wireless Charging
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by carrier); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.1 (Supports DisplayPort 1.4)
Durability:IP68 (Dust and water resistant up to 1.5m); Gorilla Glass 3 (front); Vegan leather back
Dimensions:6.29" x 2.83" x 0.32" (159.6 x 72.0 x 8.1 mm)
Weight:6.14 oz (174 g)
Biometrics:Optical In-display Fingerprint Reader; Face Unlock
Extras:Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos; Smart Connect (Ready For); Moto Gestures; ThinkShield

✓ Pros:

  • Premium IP68 water and dust resistance rating (rare in mid-range)
  • Very smooth 144Hz pOLED display with curved edges
  • Fast 68W wired charging and convenient 15W wireless charging support
  • Lightweight and comfortable design with a grippy vegan leather back
  • Clean software experience with useful Moto gestures and Smart Connect features

✗ Cons:

  • Uses older Gorilla Glass 3 for front protection
  • Storage speed (UFS 2.2) and RAM (LPDDR4X) are slower than flagship standards
  • No dedicated telephoto lens; zoom performance is limited
  • Video recording capped at 4K@30fps (no 60fps at 4K)
  • Short software support window compared to competitors like Pixel and Samsung

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Which one is better?

Grab the iPhone if you prioritize a thinner design and premium build quality - it's 0.22 inches thick compared to 0.32 inches for the edge.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Air if: you want the thinnest design at 5.6mm, prefer a premium titanium build, or need superior A19 Pro performance for gaming.
Choose the Motorola edge (2024) if: you need a longer-lasting battery for 34 hours of video playback, value additional camera versatility with a 13MP ultrawide, or want smoother scrolling with a 144Hz display.

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 17 Air excels if you value thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis. Motorola edge (2024) is better if you prioritize premium ip68 water and dust resistance rating (rare in mid-range). 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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