Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Apple iPhone Air

Our verdict: On contract, the Apple iPhone Air works out £110.87 cheaper overall than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro. The Apple iPhone Air has a bigger 6.5" screen, but the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is sharper at 458 PPI. If you'd rather buy outright, the Apple iPhone Air starts at £645.99 SIM-free.

Screen
6.3" 6.5"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch
458 444
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro Apple A19 Pro (3 nm)
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 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/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm
Weight
206 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
£33.00/mo (£199.00 upfront) £29.99/mo (£159.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£897.00 £645.99
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Apple iPhone 17 Pro Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air
Screen 6.3" 6.5"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1206 x 2622
Pixels Per Inch 458 444
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 18 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro Apple A19 Pro (3 nm)
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 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/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm
Weight 206 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 £33.00/mo
£199.00 upfront
£29.99/mo
£159.00 upfront
SIM-free £897.00 £645.99
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Apple iPhone Air cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone Air is cheaper on contract at £890.93 over the life of the deal from £29.99 per month with £159.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone Air has the bigger screen at 6.5" compared to the Apple iPhone 17 Pro's 6.3", the Apple iPhone 17 Pro has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 444, and both use LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro 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 17 Pro or Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone Air is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £645.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone Air?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Apple iPhone Air comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Apple iPhone Air use?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is powered by the Apple A19 Pro, while the Apple iPhone Air uses the Apple A19 Pro (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Apple iPhone Air?

It's a trade-off: the Apple iPhone Air is lighter but the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is more compact. It's 41g lighter at 165 grams, though the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is actually the more compact phone at 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm, the Apple iPhone Air is slimmer at 5.6mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro 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 17 Pro and Apple iPhone Air run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.