iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Air
3.3 mm narrower, 7.2 mm shorter and 84 g lighter.
Quick answer
Choosing iPhone Air over iPhone 18 Pro Max cuts substantial bulk from everyday carry. iPhone Air weighs 165 g and measures 5.64 mm in depth, feeling noticeably thinner and lighter than iPhone 18 Pro Max at 249 g and 8.75 mm. In an average adult hand, the 74.7 mm width of iPhone Air allows a firmer grip than the 78 mm width of iPhone 18 Pro Max. Both phones fit median men's jeans pockets, but neither phone fits median women's jeans pockets. iPhone 18 Pro Max provides a 6.9 in screen, whereas iPhone Air provides a 6.5 in screen. Selecting iPhone Air prioritizes lightweight comfort, while selecting iPhone 18 Pro Max prioritizes display size.
- iPhone Air feels significantly lighter in pockets and loose jackets than iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- iPhone 18 Pro Max offers an expansive screen but requires two hands for comfortable typing.
- The 5.64 mm profile makes iPhone Air much easier to slip into tight spaces.
- Neither phone fits median women's jeans pockets, while both phones fit median men's jeans 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 18 Pro Max: 163.4 by 78 by 8.75 millimetres, 249 grams. iPhone Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
18 Pro Max, Air shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
Height: 18 Pro Max 163.4 millimetres, Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 18 Pro Max 6.43 inches, Air 6.15 inches.Width: 18 Pro Max 78.0 millimetres, Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 18 Pro Max 3.07 inches, Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 18 Pro Max 8.75 millimetres, Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 18 Pro Max 0.34 inches, Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 18 Pro Max 249 grams, Air 165 grams.Weight: 18 Pro Max 8.78 ounces, Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 18 Pro Max | Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 163.4 millimetres6.43 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 7.2 millimetres less6.15 inches, 0.28 inches less |
| Width | 78.0 millimetres3.07 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 3.3 millimetres less2.94 inches, 0.13 inches less |
| Depth | 8.75 millimetres0.34 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 3.11 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.12 inches less |
| Weight | 249 grams8.78 ounces | 165 grams, 84 grams less5.82 ounces, 2.96 ounces less |
| Volume | 111.5 cubic centimetres6.81 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 45.7 cubic centimetres less4.02 cubic inches, 2.79 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 91 percent | 90 percent, the same |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.9 inches | 6.5 inches, 0.4 inches less |
| Resolution | 1320 × 2868 | 1260 × 2736 |
| Pixel density | 458 pixels per inch | 463 pixels per inch, 6 pixels per inch more |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP Fusion, variable aperture f/1.48-f/4.0 | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | 48MP Fusion f/2.2 | — |
| Rear telephoto | 48MP Fusion 100mm (4x optical, 8x optical-quality) | — |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage f/1.9 | 12MP |
| Chip | A20 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 45 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6 · Apple C2 modem | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 256 GB – 2 TB | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 1,299 dollars | 999 dollars, 300 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2026 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Also compared with iPhone 18 Pro Max
Questions about these phones
How do the dimensions of iPhone 18 Pro Max compare to iPhone Air?
iPhone 18 Pro Max measures 163.4 mm tall, 78 mm wide, and 8.75 mm thick, whereas iPhone Air measures 156.2 mm tall, 74.7 mm wide, and 5.64 mm thick. iPhone Air is noticeably shorter, narrower, and much thinner.
How much lighter is iPhone Air than iPhone 18 Pro Max?
iPhone Air weighs 165 g, while iPhone 18 Pro Max weighs 249 g, making iPhone 18 Pro Max 84 g heavier. iPhone Air exerts far less drag in a jacket pocket.
How do the screens compare between iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Air?
iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9 in display, while iPhone Air features a 6.5 in display. iPhone 18 Pro Max offers more visual area for reading and viewing media.
Is iPhone Air easier to use with one hand than iPhone 18 Pro Max?
The 74.7 mm width of iPhone Air is easier for an average adult hand to wrap around than the 78 mm width of iPhone 18 Pro Max. Reaching across the screen requires less thumb stretching on iPhone Air.
Do iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Air fit in jeans pockets?
Both iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Air fit into median men's jeans pockets, but neither phone fits into median women's jeans pockets. iPhone Air slides into pockets more smoothly due to a 5.64 mm depth.
Is upgrading to iPhone 18 Pro Max from iPhone Air worth it for size alone?
Upgrading to iPhone 18 Pro Max is only worthwhile if gaining a larger 6.9 in display outweighs carrying 249 g of weight. For shoppers who value portability, iPhone Air remains the more comfortable device.