iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016)
Shop iPhone
iPhone Air
Starting at
£687.30£999.00 new
iPhone SE (2016)
Starting at
£192.40What's the difference between the iPhone Air and iPhone SE (2016)?
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone SE (2016) starts at £192.40, £494.90 less than the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- Chipset: Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air, Apple A9 (14 nm) on the iPhone SE (2016).
- The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 2 GB.
- The iPhone Air has a bigger screen: 6.5 inch vs 4 inch.
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) specs
The iPhone Air and iPhone SE (2016) offer distinctly different experiences suited to different users. The iPhone SE (2016) has a smaller screen and simpler specifications but provides a compact, lightweight option with familiar connectors and physical SIM support. It suits buyers looking for affordable, straightforward functionality or a smaller device for everyday tasks.
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) price
Colour
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) battery life and software updates
Durability covers software updates and device build features that affect long-term use.
Software Updates
This suits users who want to keep their device software up to date. This makes it suitable for users who are fine with a stable, familiar operating system without the newest additions.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) performance
Chipset
RAM
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) screen
Screen quality influences how you view content, with differences in size, resolution and display technology between the two iPhones.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone Air has a 6.5 inch screen with a resolution of 2736x1260, making it ideal for watching videos, gaming, and browsing with plenty of room. The iPhone SE (2016) has a smaller 4 inch screen at 640x1136 resolution, which suits users preferring a compact device that fits easily in one hand or pocket.
Screen Type
The iPhone Air features a Super Retina XDR display, offering vibrant colours and deep contrast for an immersive viewing experience. The iPhone SE (2016) uses an IPS LCD screen, which delivers accurate colours and good viewing angles but with less contrast and brightness compared to the iPhone Air. This makes the Air preferable for users who value display quality.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) camera
Camera quality is important for capturing photos and video, with clear differences in megapixel counts between these two devices.
Front Camera
The iPhone Air has an 18 megapixel front camera, which is well suited for detailed selfies and video calls with clearer images. The iPhone SE (2016) has a 1.2 megapixel front camera, fitting for basic video calls and selfies where high resolution is not a priority.
Main Camera
The iPhone Air includes a 48 megapixel main camera, capable of capturing detailed photos with more clarity and potentially better cropping or zooming. The iPhone SE (2016) has a 12 megapixel main camera, which is suitable for everyday photography needs without the higher detail level of the iPhone Air.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) size and design
Other features affect convenience and connectivity such as carrier compatibility, physical size, connectors, and mobile network support.
Network and SIM
The iPhone Air supports 5G mobile networks and uses an eSIM, which allows for easier switching between carriers without a physical SIM card. This suits users wanting faster mobile data and flexible carrier options. The iPhone SE (2016) supports 4G networks and uses a physical SIM card, appealing to those who prefer a traditional SIM or live in areas where 4G is sufficient.
Connectors
The iPhone Air uses a USB-C connector, which is common for many modern devices and supports faster data transfer and charging options. The iPhone SE (2016) features both a Lightning connector and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it compatible with older accessories and wired headphones without adapters.
Size and Weight
The iPhone Air measures 156.2 mm in height, 74.7 mm in width, and 5.6 mm in depth, weighing 165 g. It is larger and slightly heavier, fitting users who prefer a bigger screen and don't mind the extra size. The iPhone SE (2016) is smaller and lighter at 123.8 mm height, 58.6 mm width, and 7.6 mm depth, weighing 113 g, ideal for those who want a compact, lightweight phone.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone Air or iPhone SE (2016): which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone Air if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone SE (2016) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £192.40, £494.90 less than the iPhone Air
- you want a lighter build (113 g vs 165 g)
- you want a headphone jack
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone Air praise its like-new condition and excellent battery health, with many noting the phone works perfectly and looks almost brand new. Reviews mention the phone's quality and storage capacity, with some appreciating the battery lasting all day and the phone's smooth performance. Users find it a premium phone that suits everyday use and appreciate the large, vibrant screen.
For the iPhone SE (2016), customers highlight its value for money and functionality for basic use. Many are satisfied with the battery life and clean condition. The phone suits users who want a simpler device for everyday tasks or as a replacement phone. Some mention the smaller screen and performance fit their needs well, and several appreciate the affordability and straightforward use.
The iPhone Air suits users looking for a larger, high-performance phone with up-to-date software and advanced camera features. The iPhone SE (2016) is a good choice for those who want a smaller, lighter device with essential smartphone functions at a lower price.
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) FAQs
iPhone Air vs iPhone SE (2016) comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air, Apple A9 (14 nm) on the iPhone SE (2016). The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 2 GB.
The iPhone SE (2016) is cheaper refurbished, from £192.40 compared with £687.30 for the iPhone Air.
The iPhone Air has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone Air is still supported and can run iOS 27. Updates for the iPhone SE (2016) ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15.
The iPhone Air adds more RAM (12 GB vs 2 GB), a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 4 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £494.90 more (from £687.30 vs £192.40).
Refurbished, the iPhone Air comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone SE (2016) in 64GB.
