iPhone Air vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
3.3 mm wider, 7.2 mm taller and 84 g heavier.
Quick answer
Choosing between iPhone Air and iPhone 18 Pro Max comes down to extreme portability versus maximum display area and endurance. iPhone Air measures 156.2 mm tall, 74.7 mm wide, and 5.64 mm deep, weighing 165 g. In contrast, iPhone 18 Pro Max measures 163.4 mm tall, 78 mm wide, and 8.75 mm deep, with a weight of 249 g. That 84 g difference between iPhone Air and iPhone 18 Pro Max is immediately noticeable in a pocket or jacket. iPhone Air offers a 6.5 inches screen that is easier to reach across with an average adult hand. iPhone 18 Pro Max provides a larger 6.9 inches screen and 45 hours of video playback compared to 27 hours on iPhone Air, but requires two hands.
- iPhone Air feels substantially lighter in pockets and jackets at 165 g compared to 249 g.
- The 5.64 mm profile of iPhone Air slides into pockets far more easily.
- iPhone 18 Pro Max demands two-handed operation across its broad 78 mm width.
- Neither phone fits inside median women's jeans pockets, though both fit median men's pockets.
TRUE SCALE · 1.5 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 18 Pro Max: 163.4 by 78 by 8.75 millimetres, 249 grams.
Air, 18 Pro Max shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
Height: Air 156.2 millimetres, 18 Pro Max 163.4 millimetres.Height: Air 6.15 inches, 18 Pro Max 6.43 inches.Width: Air 74.7 millimetres, 18 Pro Max 78.0 millimetres.Width: Air 2.94 inches, 18 Pro Max 3.07 inches.Depth: Air 5.64 millimetres, 18 Pro Max 8.75 millimetres.Depth: Air 0.22 inches, 18 Pro Max 0.34 inches.Weight: Air 165 grams, 18 Pro Max 249 grams.Weight: Air 5.82 ounces, 18 Pro Max 8.78 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | Air | 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 156.2 millimetres6.15 inches | 163.4 millimetres, 7.2 millimetres more6.43 inches, 0.28 inches more |
| Width | 74.7 millimetres2.94 inches | 78.0 millimetres, 3.3 millimetres more3.07 inches, 0.13 inches more |
| Depth | 5.64 millimetres0.22 inches | 8.75 millimetres, 3.11 millimetres more0.34 inches, 0.12 inches more |
| Weight | 165 grams5.82 ounces | 249 grams, 84 grams more8.78 ounces, 2.96 ounces more |
| Volume | 65.8 cubic centimetres4.02 cubic inches | 111.5 cubic centimetres, 45.7 cubic centimetres more6.81 cubic inches, 2.79 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 90 percent | 91 percent, the same |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.5 inches | 6.9 inches, 0.4 inches more |
| Resolution | 1260 × 2736 | 1320 × 2868 |
| Pixel density | 463 pixels per inch | 458 pixels per inch, 6 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48-f/4.0 |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | 48MP Fusion f/2.2 |
| Rear telephoto | — | 48MP Fusion 100mm (4x optical, 8x optical-quality) |
| Front camera | 12MP | 18MP Center Stage f/1.9 |
| Chip | A19 Pro | A20 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 45 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6 · Apple C2 modem |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 1 TB | 256 GB – 2 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 999 dollars | 1,299 dollars, 300 dollars more |
| Released | Sep 2025 | Sep 2026 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Also compared with iPhone Air
Questions about these phones
How does the size of iPhone Air compare to iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone Air measures 156.2 mm tall, 74.7 mm wide, and 5.64 mm deep, while iPhone 18 Pro Max measures 163.4 mm tall, 78 mm wide, and 8.75 mm deep. This difference makes iPhone Air noticeably more compact in every dimension.
How much heavier is iPhone 18 Pro Max than iPhone Air?
iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 g, which is 84 g heavier than iPhone Air at 165 g. That extra weight is clearly felt during extended handheld use or inside a jacket pocket.
How do the screens compare between iPhone Air and iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone Air features a 6.5 inches screen, whereas iPhone 18 Pro Max features a larger 6.9 inches screen. The extra display space on iPhone 18 Pro Max benefits reading and video viewing.
Can iPhone Air and iPhone 18 Pro Max be used with one hand?
An average adult hand can reach across the 74.7 mm width of iPhone Air with reasonable comfort. In contrast, the 78 mm width of iPhone 18 Pro Max generally requires two hands for daily navigation.
Do iPhone Air and iPhone 18 Pro Max fit into jeans pockets?
Both iPhone Air and iPhone 18 Pro Max fit into median men's jeans pockets, but neither fits into median women's jeans pockets. The 5.64 mm depth of iPhone Air creates far less bulk than the 8.75 mm depth of iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Is upgrading to iPhone 18 Pro Max from iPhone Air worth it for size alone?
Choosing iPhone 18 Pro Max provides a larger 6.9 inches screen and 45 hours of video playback compared to 27 hours on iPhone Air, but adds 84 g of weight. For pocket comfort and easier one-handed handling, the smaller dimensions of iPhone Air remain preferable.