iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Air Screen Size Comparison

Visual comparison of iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9") and iPhone 17 Air (6.5") screen size.

Last updated: Dec 2025

Detailed Comparison Analysis

In this iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Air comparison, screen sizes are similar—6.9" versus 6.5"—a 0.4" gap that's hard to notice side-by-side. With 13% more viewing area, the iPhone 16 Pro Max gives you noticeably more content on screen. iPhone 16 Pro Max has a larger 4685mAh battery compared to 3200mAh on iPhone 17 Air. iPhone 17 Air weighs 168g, 59g lighter than iPhone 16 Pro Max at 227g.This impacts how the phone handles in your hand and fits in your pocket. The iPhone 16 Pro Max's large display is great for videos and reading but harder to use one-handed.

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The Verdict

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is 13.1% larger than the iPhone 17 Air in screen area.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

18.1 sq in

iPhone 17 Air

16.0 sq in

View full specs

iPhone 16 Pro Max Screen Size

View full specs

iPhone 17 Air Screen Size

Quick Comparison

6.9"
Screen Size
6.5"
18.1 sq in
Screen Area
16.0 sq in
2.89"
Width
2.71"
458 PPI
Pixel Density
463 PPI
4685 mAh
Battery
3200 mAh
227g
Weight
168g
120Hz
Refresh Rate
120Hz
2000 nits
Brightness
2000 nits
iPhone 16 Pro Max
vs
iPhone 17 Air

Use Case Comparison

👋

One-Handed Use

Ease of reaching corners with your thumb

iPhone 16 Pro Max
Manageable
iPhone 17 Air
Comfortable
🎬

Video Watching

Movies, streaming, and video content

iPhone 16 Pro Max
Excellent
iPhone 17 Air
Excellent
👖

Pocket Fit

Comfort in jeans and jacket pockets

iPhone 16 Pro Max
Tight fit
iPhone 17 Air
Tight fit
🎮

Mobile Gaming

Gaming performance and experience

iPhone 16 Pro Max
Excellent
iPhone 17 Air
Excellent

Upgrade Insight

The iPhone 17 Air is 1 year newer, with incremental updates in camera, chip performance, software support.

iPhone 17 Air (Sep 2025) iPhone 16 Pro Max (Sep 2024)

Which Should You Choose?

Choose iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • • You prioritize screen size for media and productivity
  • • You typically use your phone with two hands
  • • You want longer battery life (4685mAh vs 3200mAh)

Choose iPhone 17 Air

  • • You want a slightly more compact option
  • • You prefer a lighter device for extended use
  • • You prefer a lighter phone (168g vs 227g)
  • • You have smaller hands (71.5mm vs 77.6mm width)

Detailed Specifications

Diagonal
iPhone 16 Pro Max
6.9"
iPhone 17 Air
6.5"
Diff: 0.4"
Dimensions (W × H)
iPhone 16 Pro Max
2.9" × 6.3"
iPhone 17 Air
2.7" × 5.9"
Screen Area
iPhone 16 Pro Max
18.1 sq in
iPhone 17 Air
16.0 sq in
Diff: 2.1 sq in
Aspect Ratio
iPhone 16 Pro Max
2.17:1
iPhone 17 Air
2.18:1
Resolution
iPhone 16 Pro Max
2868 x 1320
iPhone 17 Air
2736 x 1260
Refresh Rate
iPhone 16 Pro Max
120Hz
iPhone 17 Air
120Hz
Diff: 0 Hz
Screen Type
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Super Retina XDR
iPhone 17 Air
OLED
Peak Brightness
iPhone 16 Pro Max
2000 nits
iPhone 17 Air
2000 nits
Diff: 0 nits
Weight
iPhone 16 Pro Max
227g
iPhone 17 Air
168g
Diff: 59 g
Battery
iPhone 16 Pro Max
4685 mAh
iPhone 17 Air
3200 mAh
Diff: 1485 mAh
Body Size (H×W×D)
iPhone 16 Pro Max
163×77.6×8.25mm
iPhone 17 Air
155.5×71.5×5.5mm
Always-On Display
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Yes
iPhone 17 Air
Yes
Category
iPhone 16 Pro Max
phone
iPhone 17 Air
phone

Frequently Asked Questions

Are iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Air the same size?
iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Air are very similar in size, with only a 0.4" difference in diagonal (6.9" vs 6.5"). The iPhone 16 Pro Max is 13% larger in screen area, but in daily use, the size difference is minimal.
Will both phones fit in my pocket?
Both phones will fit in standard pockets, but the iPhone 17 Air will be more comfortable. The iPhone 16 Pro Max measures 2.89" wide and 6.26" tall, which may feel bulky in tight jeans or smaller pockets. The iPhone 17 Air at 2.71" × 5.91" offers better portability.
Which is better for watching videos?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a better video watching experience with 13% more screen area. This extra space makes movies and streaming content more immersive. The iPhone 17 Air is still good for videos but with a smaller viewing area.
Which is better for one-handed use?
The iPhone 17 Air (6.5") is easier to use one-handed due to its smaller size. The iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9") may require two hands for some tasks, especially reaching the far corners of the screen.

Related Comparisons

vs iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 16 Pro
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