iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Air
3.1 mm narrower, 4.7 mm shorter and 34 g lighter.
Quick answer
Choosing between iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone Air comes down to whether you prefer maximum screen real estate or a dramatically thinner, lighter device. iPhone Air measures 156.2 mm tall, 74.7 mm wide, and 5.64 mm deep, weighing 165 g. That makes it noticeably easier to hold than iPhone 16 Plus, which measures 160.9 mm tall, 77.8 mm wide, 7.8 mm deep, and weighs 199 g. In daily handling, the 34 g reduction and narrower frame make one-handed typing less strained for an average adult hand. However, iPhone 16 Plus provides a larger 6.7-inch display compared to the 6.5-inch panel on iPhone Air, which gives more room for reading. Both fit standard men's jeans pockets but fail women's median jeans pockets.
- iPhone Air is 5.64 mm deep and 165 g, noticeably lighter in a pocket than iPhone 16 Plus.
- iPhone 16 Plus offers a larger 6.7-inch display compared to the 6.5-inch screen on iPhone Air.
- At 74.7 mm wide, iPhone Air is easier to grip one-handed than iPhone 16 Plus at 77.8 mm.
- Both devices fit men's median jeans pockets but exceed the median depth of women's pockets.
TRUE SCALE · 1.6 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 16 Plus: 160.9 by 77.8 by 7.8 millimetres, 199 grams. iPhone Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
16 Plus, Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
Height: 16 Plus 160.9 millimetres, Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 16 Plus 6.33 inches, Air 6.15 inches.Width: 16 Plus 77.8 millimetres, Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 16 Plus 3.06 inches, Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 16 Plus 7.80 millimetres, Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 16 Plus 0.31 inches, Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 16 Plus 199 grams, Air 165 grams.Weight: 16 Plus 7.02 ounces, Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 16 Plus | Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 160.9 millimetres6.33 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 4.7 millimetres less6.15 inches, 0.19 inches less |
| Width | 77.8 millimetres3.06 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 3.1 millimetres less2.94 inches, 0.12 inches less |
| Depth | 7.80 millimetres0.31 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 2.16 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.09 inches less |
| Weight | 199 grams7.02 ounces | 165 grams, 34 grams less5.82 ounces, 1.20 ounces less |
| Volume | 97.6 cubic centimetres5.96 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 31.8 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 1.94 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 88 percent | 90 percent, 2 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.7 inches | 6.5 inches, 0.2 inches less |
| Resolution | 1290 × 2796 | 1260 × 2736 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 463 pixels per inch, 4 pixels per inch more |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A18 | A19 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 128 – 512 GB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 899 dollars | 999 dollars, 100 dollars more |
| Released | Sep 2024 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Also compared with iPhone 16 Plus
Questions about these phones
Which phone is more comfortable for one-handed use?
iPhone Air is more comfortable because its 74.7 mm width and 5.64 mm thickness require less thumb reach than iPhone 16 Plus at 77.8 mm wide.
How much lighter is iPhone Air than iPhone 16 Plus?
iPhone Air weighs 165 g, making it lighter than iPhone 16 Plus at 199 g.
Does iPhone 16 Plus have a bigger screen than iPhone Air?
Yes, iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch display, while iPhone Air has a 6.5-inch screen.
Do iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone Air fit in standard pockets?
Both phones fit inside median men's jeans pockets, but neither fits comfortably within median women's jeans pockets.
How does the thickness compare between iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone Air?
iPhone Air measures 5.64 mm in depth, whereas iPhone 16 Plus measures 7.8 mm.
Is it worth upgrading from iPhone 16 Plus to iPhone Air for size alone?
If you want a device that is 165 g and 5.64 mm thick instead of 199 g and 7.8 mm, the upgrade provides a significant reduction in bulk.