iPhone Air vs iPhone 16e
3.2 mm narrower, 9.5 mm shorter and 2 g heavier.
Quick answer
Choosing between iPhone Air and iPhone 16e comes down to whether you prefer a wider, ultra-thin screen or a compact, single-hand grip. iPhone Air measures 156.2 mm tall, 74.7 mm wide, and 5.64 mm deep, offering a 6.5-inch display in an exceptionally slim frame. iPhone 16e is more compact at 146.7 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, and 7.8 mm deep, making its 6.1-inch screen easier for an average adult hand to manage with one hand. Despite being substantially thinner, iPhone Air weighs 165 g, virtually identical to the 167 g weight of iPhone 16e. Both fit into standard men's jeans pockets but fail to fit median women's pockets.
- iPhone 16e has a narrower 71.5 mm body that feels much easier to operate one-handed.
- iPhone Air is significantly thinner at 5.64 mm, yet provides a larger 6.5-inch viewing area.
- Both phones weigh nearly the same, with iPhone Air at 165 g and iPhone 16e at 167 g.
- Neither device fits inside median women's jeans pockets, though both slide into men'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 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams. iPhone 16e: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 millimetres, 167 grams.
Air, 16e shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
Height: Air 156.2 millimetres, 16e 146.7 millimetres.Height: Air 6.15 inches, 16e 5.78 inches.Width: Air 74.7 millimetres, 16e 71.5 millimetres.Width: Air 2.94 inches, 16e 2.81 inches.Depth: Air 5.64 millimetres, 16e 7.80 millimetres.Depth: Air 0.22 inches, 16e 0.31 inches.Weight: Air 165 grams, 16e 167 grams.Weight: Air 5.82 ounces, 16e 5.89 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | Air | 16e |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 146.7 millimetres, 9.5 millimetres less5.78 inches, 0.37 inches less |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 71.5 millimetres, 3.2 millimetres less2.81 inches, 0.13 inches less |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 7.80 millimetres, 2.16 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.09 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 167 grams, 2 grams more5.89 ounces, 0.07 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 81.8 cubic centimetres, 16.0 cubic centimetres more4.99 cubic inches, 0.98 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 86 percent, 4 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 6.1 inches, 0.4 inches less |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1170 × 2532 |
| Pixel density | 463 pixels per inch | 457 pixels per inch, 6 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A19 Pro | A18 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 26 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 | 256 GB – 1 TB | 128 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 999 dollars | 599 dollars, 400 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Feb 2025 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Also compared with iPhone Air
Questions about these phones
Which phone is smaller overall, iPhone Air or iPhone 16e?
iPhone 16e is shorter at 146.7 mm and narrower at 71.5 mm, whereas iPhone Air measures 156.2 mm tall and 74.7 mm wide but is thinner at 5.64 mm versus 7.8 mm.
Is iPhone Air lighter than iPhone 16e?
iPhone Air weighs 165 g, making it 2 g lighter than the 167 g iPhone 16e.
How do the screen sizes compare between iPhone Air and iPhone 16e?
iPhone Air features a 6.5-inch screen, while iPhone 16e has a smaller 6.1-inch screen.
Which phone is easier to use with one hand?
iPhone 16e is easier for an average adult hand to navigate one-handed because of its narrower 71.5 mm width.
Do iPhone Air and iPhone 16e fit in standard pockets?
Both phones fit into median men's jeans pockets, but neither iPhone Air nor iPhone 16e fits into median women's jeans pockets.
Is upgrading to iPhone Air worth it for the size difference alone?
Upgrading gives you a larger 6.5-inch display in a remarkably slim 5.64 mm body, but iPhone Air costs 999 USD compared to 599 USD for iPhone 16e.