iPhone Air vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: I compared Apple's two best models, and I'd buy this one

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

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Apple's iPhone 17 lineup brings immoderate of the biggest plan changes the smartphone bid has seen successful years, and nary 2 models amended item this displacement than the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone Air is 1 of the thinnest smartphones Apple has ever made, made for those who worth a sleek, portable design. 

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max doubles down connected powerfulness with a cutting-edge camera strategy and a caller vapor enclosure cooling system.

Also: iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: I compared some models, and here's who should upgrade

Both devices are great, but they cater to antithetic audiences. The question of the time is: Which 1 should you get arsenic your caller regular driver? It's hard to choose, but don't interest -- I'm present to help. Below, I've breached down however the iPhone Air compares to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Specifications

You should bargain the iPhone Air if...

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

1. You privation an ultrathin yet pugnacious phone

At conscionable 5.6 mm thick, the iPhone Air is astir a 3rd thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro. Although it appears fragile, it's thing but, arsenic Apple designed its mobile instrumentality to beryllium conscionable arsenic durable arsenic it is elegant. The smartphone's framework is made of grade 5 titanium, a worldly known for its precocious spot and "corrosion-resistant characteristics." 

Ceramic Shield protects the backmost of the iPhone Air, allowing it to amended defy damage. On the front, Apple chose to equip the surface with Ceramic Shield 2. Thanks to this material, Apple says the show has "3x amended scratch resistance" than erstwhile models and "improved anti-reflection" properties.

2. You don't request each doorbell and whistle

As I mentioned successful my iPhone 17 bid examination piece, the iPhone Air isn't arsenic feature-rich arsenic the higher-end models. 

This whitethorn beryllium a arguable opinion, but I deliberation the device's deficiency of bells and whistles volition payment users arsenic they'll person a much streamlined experience. For instance, it lone has a azygous 48MP Fusion lens arsenic its rear camera system. According to Apple, it enables the equivalent of 4 lenses with users capable to sprout photographs successful some 28mm and 35mm focal lengths. You won't person to fiddle astir with the settings oregon larn what the cameras do. It's each condensed.

Also: iPhone Air vs. Samsung S25 Edge: I compared some bladed phones, and there's a wide winner

Another alteration relates to cellular connectivity. The iPhone Air relies exclusively connected eSIM technology. Carriers proceed to summation enactment for eSIM astatine a accordant rate, truthful this isn't excessively large a detriment, but this does mean that you won't beryllium capable to usage your SIM card. Apple has besides said that the adoption of an "eSIM-only design" allowed the institution to prevention space, helping the iPhone Air execute that bladed signifier factor.

You should bargain the iPhone 17 Pro Max if...

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

1. You privation the astir almighty iPhone

The iPhone 17 Pro Max shares a astonishing fig of similarities with the iPhone Air. Both devices tally connected a three-chip setup, which consists of the A19 Pro processor, N1 networking chip, and C1X modem. Together, this trio allows the smartphones to present almighty performance, enactment Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and connection faster, much energy-efficient cellular connections.

Also: T-Mobile volition springiness you a escaped iPhone 17 Pro - here's however to get yours

Where the Pro Max differentiates itself is successful size and stamina. Its monolithic 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR show hits 3,000 nits of brightness, ensuring visibility nether nonstop sunlight. Support for ProMotion lets it tally astatine a refresh complaint of 120Hz for creaseless visuals. The solid is adjacent protected by Ceramic Shield 2. Paired with a artillery reportedly susceptible of lasting up to 39 hours of video playback, it is the iPhone built for users who privation the champion of the best.

2. You privation the champion camera system

The similarities betwixt the 2 phones don't halt astatine the chipset oregon displays due to the fact that they besides person akin camera systems. For example, some models person the caller 18MP Center Stage selfie lens. Not lone does it supply higher-quality images, but it besides uses a caller benignant of sensor that lets owners seizure photos successful some representation and scenery orientations without needing to rotate their phone.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max differentiates itself again by providing professional-grade video. The flagship exemplary present supports ProRes RAW, a video codec that amended preserves information for high-quality footage, the Log 2 format for wider colour gamuts, and genlock. 

Genlock is bundle that synchronizes "video crossed aggregate cameras." For contented creators, tools similar these let the iPhone 17 Pro Max to treble arsenic a susceptible filmmaking camera.

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