iPhone 7 vs iPhone Air
Shop iPhone
iPhone 7
Starting at
£66.24£179.00 new
iPhone Air
Starting at
£687.30£999.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 7 and iPhone Air?
iPhone 7 vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 7 starts at £66.24, £621.06 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 A10 Fusion (16 nm) on the iPhone 7, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air.
- The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 2 GB.
- The iPhone Air has a bigger screen: 6.5 inch vs 4.7 inch.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone Air specs
The iPhone 7 and iPhone Air offer different experiences suited to different needs. The iPhone 7 is a smaller phone with a screen under 5 inches, 2 GB of RAM, and 4G connectivity. It works well for everyday use, especially if you prefer a physical SIM and a Lightning connector. The iPhone Air has a larger and higher quality screen, more RAM, and 5G support, making it better if you want a phone for more demanding apps, sharper photos, and faster mobile internet.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone Air price
Colour
iPhone 7 vs iPhone Air battery life and software updates
Durability covers software compatibility and build features that affect daily reliability and future-proofing.
Operating System
Both devices run iOS, so you will find a familiar interface and access to the Apple app ecosystem on either phone.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 7 vs iPhone Air performance
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 7 vs iPhone Air screen
Screen quality affects how you see content, play games, or watch videos. The iPhone Air has a larger and sharper screen with a higher refresh rate, which benefits users who value a smoother display.
Screen Size
The iPhone 7 has a 4.7 inch screen, which is compact and easier to hold in one hand. The iPhone Air's 6.5 inch screen offers a larger viewing area, making it better for watching videos or browsing with more content visible at once.
Resolution
With a resolution of 2736 by 1260, the iPhone Air delivers a much sharper image than the iPhone 7's 750 by 1334 screen. This means text and images appear clearer, which is noticeable when reading or viewing photos.
Refresh Rate
The iPhone Air supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, which makes animations and scrolling appear smoother compared to the iPhone 7's 60 Hz. This can make everyday use feel more responsive and enjoyable, especially when gaming or navigating apps.
Screen Type
The iPhone Air uses a Super Retina XDR display, which offers better brightness and colour accuracy than the iPhone 7's Retina IPS LCD screen. This benefits users who want more vivid visuals.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 7 vs iPhone Air camera
Camera quality matters if you like to take photos or video calls. The iPhone Air offers higher megapixel counts on both front and main cameras, meaning more detail in your pictures and selfies.
Front Camera
The iPhone Air has an 18 megapixel front camera, which captures more detail in selfies and video calls compared to the iPhone 7's 7 megapixels. This suits users who often use their front camera for social media or video chats.
Main Camera
With a 48 megapixel main camera, the iPhone Air is built for sharper and more detailed photos. The iPhone 7's 12 megapixel camera works well for everyday snapshots but gives fewer details when zooming or cropping photos.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 7 vs iPhone Air size and design
This section covers other useful details like network support, physical dimensions, and connectors. These differences affect how you connect your phone, how it fits in your hand, and how fast your mobile internet can be.
Mobile Network
The iPhone Air supports 5G networks, offering faster mobile internet speeds if you have access to a 5G signal. The iPhone 7 supports 4G, which still provides reliable internet but at slower maximum speeds.
SIM Card Type
The iPhone 7 uses a physical SIM card, which makes swapping SIMs straightforward if you prefer to physically move your card. The iPhone Air uses an eSIM, which is built into the phone and can be activated without a physical card.
Connector
The iPhone 7 uses a Lightning connector, which is common on many Apple accessories. The iPhone Air uses USB-C, a widely used standard that can simplify charging and connecting to other devices.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 7 is smaller and lighter, with a depth of 7.1 mm, height of 138.3 mm, width of 67.1 mm, and weight of 138 g. The iPhone Air is larger and a bit heavier, measuring 5.6 mm deep, 156.2 mm high, 74.7 mm wide, and weighing 165 g. This makes the iPhone 7 better for one-handed use and easier to carry in smaller pockets.
Storage Options
The iPhone 7 comes in 32GB and 128GB options, which cover basic to moderate storage needs. The iPhone Air offers larger storage capacities of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, suitable for users who store many apps, photos, or videos.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 7 or iPhone Air: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 7 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £66.24, £621.06 less than the iPhone Air
- you want a lighter build (138 g vs 165 g)
Buy the iPhone Air if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4.7 inch)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
What our customers say
Customers say the iPhone 7 looks like new and is in excellent condition. Many appreciate its battery life and simple setup. It is popular for everyday use or as a secondary phone due to its physical SIM card and smooth performance for basic tasks. Some note minor scratches but still find it a reliable, straightforward device for calls and texts.
Reviews of the iPhone Air highlight its premium condition and strong battery health with few charge cycles. Users enjoy the larger screen and fast performance, noting the storage capacity suits their needs well. The phone works perfectly for a range of uses. Battery life is described as lasting all day, supporting more demanding tasks.
The iPhone 7 suits those wanting a smaller phone for everyday use or as a backup. The iPhone Air is suited to users who want a larger screen, faster 5G, more storage, and more powerful cameras for varied smartphone needs.
iPhone 7 vs iPhone Air FAQs
iPhone 7 vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) on the iPhone 7, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 2 GB.
The iPhone 7 is cheaper refurbished, from £66.24 compared with £687.30 for the iPhone Air.
The iPhone Air has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the iPhone 7 ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15. The iPhone Air is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone Air adds more RAM (12 GB vs 2 GB), a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4.7 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £621.06 more (from £687.30 vs £66.24).
Refurbished, the iPhone 7 comes in 32GB and 128GB, and the iPhone Air in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
