iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone Air
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iPhone 15 Pro Max
Starting at
£577.65£1,199.00 new
iPhone Air
Starting at
£687.30£999.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone Air?
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at £577.65, £109.65 less than the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Front camera
- Chipset: Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air.
- The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a bigger screen: 6.7 inch vs 6.5 inch.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone Air specs
The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone Air both run iOS and support 5G, making them suitable for users who want a modern Apple experience. The 15 Pro Max offers a larger 6.7 inch screen with a higher resolution and uses LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED technology, which is ideal for watching videos or detailed work. The iPhone Air is lighter and slimmer, with a 6.5 inch screen and a higher front camera resolution, making it a good choice for those who value portability and sharper selfies. The Air also has more RAM, which helps with multitasking and running demanding apps. The 15 Pro Max has a physical SIM slot alongside eSIM, while the Air uses eSIM only, which may influence how you manage your mobile connections. Both come with USB-C connectors and the same storage options, but the 15 Pro Max is heavier and larger overall.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone Air price
Colour
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone Air battery life and software updates
Durability covers software compatibility, build style, and operating system, which affect how long a device stays current and usable.
Operating System
Both devices run iOS, offering the same user experience and access to Apple's app ecosystem. Neither phone is foldable, so both have traditional smartphone designs without moving parts in the screen.
Release Year
The iPhone 15 Pro Max was released in 2023 and the iPhone Air in 2025. This provides context but does not affect their features directly.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone Air performance
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone Air screen
Screen quality affects how you see content, from video playback to reading text and browsing apps. Differences here influence comfort and visual detail.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch screen with a resolution of 1290 x 2796, offering a slightly larger and taller display ideal for watching videos or multitasking on a bigger canvas. The iPhone Air features a 6.5 inch screen with a resolution of 2736 x 1260, which is slightly wider and shorter, suiting users who prefer a more compact device while maintaining sharp visuals.
Screen Technology
The 15 Pro Max uses LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, which supports variable refresh rates and energy savings during static content, offering a premium viewing experience. The iPhone Air has a Super Retina XDR screen, which still delivers vivid colours and high brightness but without the LTPO technology. Both screens have a 120 Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and animations.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone Air camera
Audiovisual features include cameras and related specs, affecting the quality of photos, video calls and selfies.
Main Camera
Both devices have a 48 megapixel main camera, allowing for detailed photos and videos. This means you can expect similar clarity and image quality from the primary camera on either phone.
Front Camera
The iPhone Air has an 18 megapixel front camera, which captures higher resolution selfies and video calls compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 12 megapixel front camera. If you take many self-portraits or use your front camera for work calls, the Air offers sharper front-facing images.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone Air size and design
Miscellaneous specs cover physical dimensions, connectivity, and storage options that affect daily use and comfort.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 15 Pro Max measures 159.9 mm tall, 76.7 mm wide and 8.3 mm deep, weighing 221 g. The iPhone Air is smaller and lighter at 156.2 mm tall, 74.7 mm wide and 5.6 mm deep, weighing 165 g. The Air suits users wanting a more pocket-friendly and lightweight phone, while the 15 Pro Max offers a larger presence in hand.
RAM and Storage
The iPhone Air has 12 GB of RAM, which helps keep more apps open and supports multitasking smoothly. The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with 8 GB of RAM, which is enough for everyday use and most apps. Both offer storage options of 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB, so you can choose the capacity that fits your needs.
SIM and Network
The iPhone 15 Pro Max supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, giving flexibility if you want to use multiple phone numbers or switch carriers easily. The iPhone Air uses eSIM only, which suits users who prefer managing mobile plans digitally without a physical SIM card.
Connectivity
Both phones use USB-C connectors and support 5G networks, providing fast charging options and high-speed mobile internet.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone Air: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £577.65, £109.65 less than the iPhone Air
- you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.5 inch)
- you want an OLED screen
Buy the iPhone Air if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (165 g vs 221 g)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 15 Pro Max say it looks like brand new, with many noting no scratches and battery health around 85% to 92%. They mention the screen is clear, the phone runs smoothly, and the camera quality is excellent. Users upgrading from older devices appreciate the phone's performance and condition. Some customers highlight the battery life lasting all day and the device feeling like a new phone despite being refurbished.
Reviews for the iPhone Air praise its premium condition, with battery health often at 100%. Customers like the phone's quality and say it works perfectly for their needs. The device is described as light and slim, with storage ample enough for everyday use. Several users express satisfaction with the battery life lasting a full day and the phone feeling new.
Both devices appeal to different users: the iPhone 15 Pro Max suits those wanting a larger screen and a more substantial phone, while the iPhone Air fits people who prefer a lighter, slimmer device with more RAM and a higher resolution front camera.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone Air FAQs
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is cheaper refurbished, from £577.65 compared with £687.30 for the iPhone Air.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone Air is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone Air adds more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB), a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels) and a lighter build (165 g vs 221 g). Refurbished, it costs £109.65 more (from £687.30 vs £577.65).
Both come in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB refurbished.
