Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air

Apple iPhone Air comes out ahead overall, scoring 57.5% to 42.5% across the categories compared — particularly RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB).

Apple iPhone 17e scored 42.5%, Apple iPhone Air scored 57.5%.

Apple iPhone 17e is priced around $599, Apple iPhone Air around $899.

How Apple iPhone 17e and Apple iPhone Air Rank

Apple iPhone 17e

Apple A19 ranks in the top 11% of 37 chipsets we track.

Super Retina XDR display ranks in the top 38% of 16 display types we track.

Glass/Aluminum build ranks in the top 40% of 5 build materials we track.

Wi-Fi 6 ranks in the top 75% of 4 Wi-Fi standards we track.

4K@24/25/30/60fps front camera video ranks in the top 43% of 7 front-video specs we track.

4K@24/25/30/60fps main camera video ranks in the top 13% of 16 video-recording specs we track.

Apple iPhone Air

Apple A19 Pro ranks in the top 9% of 37 chipsets we track.

Titanium build ranks in the top 20% of 5 build materials we track.

Wi-Fi 7 ranks in the top 25% of 4 Wi-Fi standards we track.

4K@24/25/30/60fps front camera video ranks in the top 43% of 7 front-video specs we track.

4K@24/25/30/60fps main camera video ranks in the top 13% of 16 video-recording specs we track.

Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air: Display

Spec Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
Display size 6.1 in 6.5 in
Refresh rate 60 Hz 120 Hz
Brightness 800 nits 1000 nits
Display type Super Retina XDR LTPO Super Retina
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1260 x 2736

Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air: Camera

Spec Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
Main camera resolution 48 MP 48 MP
Front camera resolution 12 MP 18 MP
Main aperture 1.6 f 1.6 f
Front aperture 1.9 f 1.9 f
Optical image stabilization Yes Yes
Main video 4K@24/25/30/60fps 4K@24/25/30/60fps
Front video 4K@24/25/30/60fps 4K@24/25/30/60fps
Camera features Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama, 3D (spatial) audio Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)

Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air: Battery

Spec Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
Battery capacity 4005 mAh 3149 mAh
Charge time 30 min 30 min
Wired charging 15 W 15 W
Charging port USB-C USB-C

Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air: Performance

Spec Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
RAM 8 GB 12 GB
Storage 256 GB 256 GB
Chipset Apple A19 Apple A19 Pro
Storage options 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 12GB

Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air: Network & Connectivity

Spec Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
5G (sub-6) Yes Yes
5G (mmWave) No No
5G capable Yes Yes
NFC Yes Yes
Bluetooth version 5.3 6
Wi-Fi generation 6 7
SIM type Nano-SIM/eSIM eSIM

Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air: Build & Design

Spec Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
Weight 169 g 165 g
Thickness 7.8 mm 5.6 mm
Build material Glass/Aluminum Titanium
IP rating IP68 IP68
Available colors Black, White, Soft Pink Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue

Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air: OS & Software

Spec Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
Operating system iOS 26.3 iOS 26
Update policy Not Specified Not Specified

Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air: Audio

Spec Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
Dolby Atmos No No
Stereo speakers Yes No
Headphone jack No No

Apple iPhone 17e vs Apple iPhone Air: Extras & Features

Spec Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
Desktop mode No No
Stylus support No No
Satellite connectivity No No
Wireless reverse charging No Yes

Where each phone wins

Apple iPhone 17e

  • Battery capacity: 4005 mAh (vs 3149 mAh)
  • Stereo speakers: 1 yesno (vs 0 yesno)

Apple iPhone Air

  • Front camera resolution: 18 MP (vs 12 MP)
  • Display size: 6.5 in (vs 6.1 in)
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz (vs 60 Hz)
  • Brightness: 1000 nits (vs 800 nits)
  • RAM: 12 GB (vs 8 GB)
  • Bluetooth version: 6 (vs 5.3 )
  • Wi-Fi generation: 7 (vs 6 )
  • Weight: 165 g (vs 169 g)
  • Thickness: 5.6 mm (vs 7.8 mm)
  • Wireless reverse charging: 1 yesno (vs 0 yesno)

More Apple iPhone 17e and Apple iPhone Air Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better battery capacity, the Apple iPhone 17e or the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone 17e has the better battery capacity at 4005 mAh, versus 3149 mAh on the Apple iPhone Air.

Which has the better RAM, the Apple iPhone 17e or the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone Air has the better RAM at 12 GB, versus 8 GB on the Apple iPhone 17e.

Which has the better display size, the Apple iPhone 17e or the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone Air has the better display size at 6.5 in, versus 6.1 in on the Apple iPhone 17e.

Which has the better refresh rate, the Apple iPhone 17e or the Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone Air has the better refresh rate at 120 Hz, versus 60 Hz on the Apple iPhone 17e.