iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone Air
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iPhone 16 Pro Max
Starting at
£840.13£1,399.00 new
iPhone Air
Starting at
£687.30£999.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone Air?
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone Air starts at £687.30, £152.83 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone Air is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Front camera
- Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air.
- The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.5 inch.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone Air specs
The iPhone 16 Pro Max and the iPhone Air differ in several key ways that suit different needs. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a larger 6.9 inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a higher resolution, making it well suited for those who want a roomier display for videos and detailed viewing. The iPhone Air is lighter and slimmer, with 12 GB of RAM that supports keeping more apps open simultaneously, which benefits users who multitask often. Camera preferences also vary: the Air has a higher-resolution front camera for sharper selfies, while both share the same main camera resolution. Overall, the Pro Max suits those who prefer a larger, premium-feeling device, while the Air fits those wanting a lighter phone with more memory for daily use.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone Air price
Colour
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone Air battery life and software updates
Durability covers the software compatibility and physical design features that impact everyday use and device lifespan.
Physical Design
Neither device is foldable, maintaining traditional smartphone designs. Both use eSIM technology, so you won't need a physical SIM card to connect to mobile networks. This makes switching carriers or plans more convenient for users on either device.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone Air performance
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone Air screen
Screen quality affects how you see content and interact with the device daily. The two phones differ in screen size, resolution, and screen technology, which influence clarity, colour, and space for viewing.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a larger 6.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1320 by 2868. This means more room for watching videos and reading text without scrolling. The iPhone Air offers a 6.5 inch screen sized for one-handed use with a resolution of 2736 by 1260, which still delivers sharp images but on a slightly smaller display.
Screen Technology
The 16 Pro Max uses an LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED screen, a technology known for efficient power use and smooth brightness adjustment. The iPhone Air features a Super Retina XDR screen, providing bright and vibrant colours. Both have a 120 Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and animations.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone Air camera
Audiovisual features shape your experience with photos, videos, and calls. Differences in camera megapixels influence photo detail, especially for selfies.
Front Camera
The iPhone Air has a higher resolution front camera at 18 megapixels, which captures more detail in selfies and video calls. The iPhone 16 Pro Max's front camera is 12 megapixels, still suitable for clear images but with fewer pixels compared to the Air.
Main Camera
Both phones share a 48 megapixel main camera, so you can expect similar photo quality for everyday photography and video recording from either device.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone Air size and design
Other features like size, weight, connectors, and network compatibility affect how the phones fit into your daily life and accessories.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is larger and heavier, measuring 163 mm tall, 77.6 mm wide, and 8.3 mm deep, weighing 227 g. This suits users who prefer a substantial device with a big display. The iPhone Air is more compact and lighter at 156.2 mm tall, 74.7 mm wide, 5.6 mm deep, and 165 g, making it easier to carry and handle one-handed.
Connector Type
The iPhone Air also uses USB-C.
Memory and Storage
The iPhone Air has 12 GB of RAM, which is useful for keeping more apps open at once or handling multitasking smoothly. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has 8 GB of RAM, which still supports everyday use well. Both devices come in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, giving plenty of space for apps, photos, and files.
Carrier and Network
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks, so you can use them with a wide range of mobile carriers and enjoy fast mobile internet where available.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 16 Pro Max or iPhone Air: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.5 inch)
- you want an OLED screen
Buy the iPhone Air if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £687.30, £152.83 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers say the iPhone 16 Pro Max looks and feels like new, with many highlighting excellent battery health often near or at 100 percent. They appreciate the smooth, responsive touchscreen and premium feel of the device. Several users mention the device's large screen and good performance, with battery life that holds up well through daily use. The Pro Max's condition ranges from good to premium, with some customers impressed by how close their devices are to brand new.
For the iPhone Air, customers also report receiving phones in excellent condition with high battery health at 100 percent in many cases. The Air's size and lighter weight are noted positively, with users mentioning the phone works perfectly for their needs. The front camera's quality is appreciated, and the device suits those wanting a capable phone that is easy to handle. Many users describe the Air as their best iPhone yet.
Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max suits customers who want a larger screen and a phone that feels substantial in hand, while the iPhone Air appeals to those who prefer a lighter device with more memory and a sharper front camera for selfies.
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone Air FAQs
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The iPhone Air is cheaper refurbished, from £687.30 compared with £840.13 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Both have the same main camera: 48 megapixels.
The iPhone 16 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 227 g). Refurbished, it costs £152.83 less (from £687.30 vs £840.13).
Both come in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB refurbished.
