iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air
Shop iPhone
iPhone 16 Plus
Starting at
£588.00£799.00 new
iPhone Air
Starting at
£687.30£999.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone Air?
iPhone 16 Plus vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Plus starts at £588, £99.30 less than the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Refresh rate
- Chipset: Apple A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air.
- The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The iPhone 16 Plus has a bigger screen: 6.7 inch vs 6.5 inch.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air specs
The iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone Air differ in screen experience, memory, camera, physical size, and storage options. The iPhone 16 Plus offers a larger 6.7 inch screen with a 60 Hz refresh rate, suitable if you want more room for videos and reading. The iPhone Air features a 120 Hz refresh rate for smoother motion and a slightly smaller 6.5 inch screen. The Air comes with 12 GB RAM and higher front camera resolution, which benefits multitasking and selfie detail. It is also lighter and slimmer, making it easier to carry. Storage choices go up to 1TB on the Air, while the 16 Plus tops out at 512GB. The right choice depends on whether you prefer a larger display and simpler memory or a more responsive screen and higher capacity storage.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air price
Colour
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air battery life and software updates
Durability focuses on software updates and physical design. Their release years are close, reflecting their recent design lifecycles.
Latest Software Updates
This means you can expect both to offer current software features and security.
Physical Design
Their build dimensions differ, with the iPhone 16 Plus being larger and thicker than the Air, which affects how they feel in hand and pocket.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air performance
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air screen
Screen quality covers refresh rate, resolution, size, and panel type. These affect how smooth and sharp the display looks and how comfortable it is for watching content or browsing.
Refresh Rate for Smoothness
The iPhone Air features a 120 Hz refresh rate, which provides smoother motion for scrolling and animations. This suits users who value fluid visuals and responsive touch. The iPhone 16 Plus has a 60 Hz refresh rate, which is standard and good for everyday use that does not prioritise ultra-smooth movement.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 16 Plus offers a slightly larger 6.7 inch display with a resolution of 1290 by 2796 pixels, giving you more screen space for video and reading. The iPhone Air has a 6.5 inch screen with a resolution of 2736 by 1260 pixels, which is close in sharpness but on a smaller panel. The choice depends on whether you want a roomier display or a more compact device.
Screen Type
The iPhone 16 Plus uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, while the iPhone Air has a Super Retina XDR screen. Both deliver high-quality visuals with bright colours and deep blacks, suitable for media consumption.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air camera
Audiovisual features include front and main camera resolutions. These impact selfie quality and photography detail.
Front Camera Detail
The iPhone Air has an 18 megapixel front camera, offering higher detail for selfies and video calls. This benefits users who prioritise front-facing camera quality. The iPhone 16 Plus has a 12 megapixel front camera, which still captures clear images suitable for everyday use.
Main Camera Similarity
Both phones have a 48 megapixel main camera, so their primary photo and video capabilities are comparable. This means both can deliver detailed shots in similar conditions.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air size and design
Miscellaneous differences include physical dimensions, connectivity, SIM options, weight, and storage capacities. These affect daily handling, device compatibility, and storage needs.
Physical Size and Weight
The iPhone 16 Plus is larger and thicker at 160.9 mm tall, 77.8 mm wide, and 7.8 mm deep, weighing 199 g. The iPhone Air is smaller and slimmer at 156.2 mm tall, 74.7 mm wide, and 5.6 mm deep, weighing 165 g. Choose the Plus if you want a bigger phone to hold or view, or the Air for a lighter, more pocket-friendly device.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 16 Plus supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, offering flexibility if you prefer a physical SIM card. The iPhone Air uses eSIM only, which suits users comfortable with digital SIM management.
Connector Type
Both provide modern wired charging and data transfer options.
Storage Capacity Choices
The iPhone 16 Plus is available with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB of storage, suitable for most everyday needs. The iPhone Air offers 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options, ideal if you require more space for apps, photos, and media.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone Air: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16 Plus if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £588, £99.30 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 smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers say the iPhone 16 Plus looks and feels like new, with many reporting excellent condition and battery health. Users appreciate the larger screen and overall quality. Some mention occasional glitches and difficulties with software updates. The build and screen are praised for their clarity and size, making it a solid choice for those wanting a spacious display and straightforward performance.
Reviews for the iPhone Air highlight its excellent condition, with many noting the battery health is near perfect and the phone works smoothly. Users enjoy the compact, slim design and premium feel. The higher front camera resolution and storage options are appreciated by those who want a phone that balances portability with performance and capacity.
The iPhone 16 Plus suits customers looking for a larger screen and physical SIM flexibility, while the iPhone Air appeals to those favouring a lighter, faster screen experience with more storage. Both receive positive feedback for quality and reliability in daily use.
iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air FAQs
iPhone 16 Plus vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Apple A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper refurbished, from £588 compared with £687.30 for the iPhone Air.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 16 Plus 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 smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz) and a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £99.30 more (from £687.30 vs £588).
Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Plus comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone Air in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
