Apple iPhone 15 vs Apple iPhone Air

Our verdict: On contract, the Apple iPhone 15 works out £358.00 cheaper overall than the Apple iPhone Air. The Apple iPhone Air has a bigger 6.5" screen, but the Apple iPhone 15 is sharper at 461 PPI. If you'd rather buy outright, the Apple iPhone 15 starts at £324.00 SIM-free.

Screen
6.1" 6.5"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1179 x 2556 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch
461 444
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Apple A19 Pro (3 nm)
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM e- SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm
Weight
171 grams 165 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts
£20.99/mo (£9.00 upfront) £29.99/mo (£159.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£324.00 £645.99
Apple iPhone 15 Apple iPhone 15 Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
Screen 6.1" 6.5"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch 461 444
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Apple A19 Pro (3 nm)
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM e- SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm
Weight 171 grams 165 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins)
Contracts £20.99/mo
£9.00 upfront
£29.99/mo
£159.00 upfront
SIM-free £324.00 £645.99
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 15 or Apple iPhone Air cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 15 is cheaper on contract at £532.93 over the life of the deal from £20.99 per month with £9.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 15 or Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone Air has the bigger screen at 6.5" compared to the Apple iPhone 15's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 15 has the sharper display at 461 pixels per inch versus 444, and the Apple iPhone 15 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Apple iPhone Air has a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 15 or Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone 15 features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone Air has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 15 or Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone 15 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £324.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 15 and Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone 15 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone Air comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 15 and Apple iPhone Air use?

The Apple iPhone 15 is powered by the Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm), while the Apple iPhone Air uses the Apple A19 Pro (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 15 or Apple iPhone Air?

It's a trade-off: the Apple iPhone Air is lighter but the Apple iPhone 15 is more compact. It's 6g lighter at 165 grams, though the Apple iPhone 15 is actually the more compact phone at 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, the Apple iPhone Air is slimmer at 5.6mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 15 or Apple iPhone Air?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 15 and Apple iPhone Air run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.