iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: How upcoming Apple phones specs may differ
In the coming months, Apple is expected to make several crucial announcements surrounding the new generation of software across products, new devices, the iPhone 17 series, and more. Just two days back, Apple confirmed the dates for WWDC 2025, giving hopes for greater software upgrades, new Apple Intelligence features, and others. Now, as each month passes, leaks surrounding the iPhone 17 series are growing, giving us a glimpse of what Apple could reveal.
One of the most talked about models among the series is the new iPhone 17 Air, which will likely replace the Plus variant. This new model is slated to have an ultra-slim body, making it the first slim flagship phone by Apple. As rumours have started to circulate over the internet, let’s examine how this new model will be compared to the high-end iPhone 17 Pro Max model.
Also read: iPhone 17 Air thickness compared with iPhone 17 Pro in a new leaked image- All details
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Design and display
The iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have significant design differences which will set them apart from each other. If we talk about the iPhone 17 Air model, it will likely come with 5.5mm of thickness, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro Max could become thicker with 8.725mm in measurement. The slimmer model could have a glass and titanium build, and the Pro Max model could bring back the aluminium and glass design.
Another major difference would be the camera setup; the iPhone 17 Air may come with a Pixel-like camera module with a single rear camera, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a bigger camera module housing three camera sensors. Another design difference could be the missing SIM tray on iPhone 17 Air and a single speaker, which will set it apart from the Pro Max model.
Also read: iPhone 17 to get this Pro-like display upgrade- Know what coming
For display, the iPhone 17 Air will likely feature a 6.6-inch OLED display with ProMotion technology, bringing better refresh rate and brightness to the smartphone. On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may come with a 6.9-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Both models may support the Dynamic Island of the top of the display.
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Performance and battery
In terms of performance, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will likely come with an A19 Pro chip built with TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process. Furthermore, the smartphone could offer 12GB RAM and a new vapour chamber cooling system for improved thermal performance. On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Air may come with an A19 Bionic chip paired with 8GB RAM. The smartphone may not support the new thermal cooling system.
For battery, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will likely support a bigger battery with a thicker and bigger build. Whereas, the iPhone 17 Air may come with some battery compromises due to the slimmer design profile.
Also read: iPhone 17 Air to come with 3 major compromises- Here’s what we know
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Camera
The iPhone 17 Air will likely feature a 48MP single rear camera, which may provide limited access to flagship camera features such as ultrawide and telephoto lens capabilities. On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a triple-camera setup that may include an upgraded 48MP main camera, a new 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 48MP telephoto lens with advanced optical zooming capabilities. Therefore, the Pro Max will have more in store for users in terms of camera features. For selfies, both models are slated to feature a 24MP front-facing camera.
