Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone Air vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone Air vs iPhone 15 Pro Max lines up the September 2025 iPhone Air with the September 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone Air leads iPhone Air vs iPhone 15 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, and weight.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone Air | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2736×1260, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 2,000 nits peak, always-on |
| Chip | A19 Pro (5-core GPU)Leads | A17 Pro |
| Memory | Not published | Not published |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie |
| Camera hardware | 48MP f/1.6 main, 2x optical-quality crop | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephotoLeads |
| Optical zoom | No optical telephoto | 5xLeads |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 27 hours video playback | up to 29 hours video playbackLeads |
| Charging | 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafeTie | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 15WTie |
| Weight | 165 gLeads | 221 g |
| Water resistance | IP68Tie | IP68Tie |
| Software support | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window |
| Launch price | Not listed | $1,199 launch price |
| Software | iOS 27 | iOS 17 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Face ID |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone Air if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, and weight.
Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want iOS 17 at launch. It leads on camera hardware, optical zoom, and battery.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone Air or iPhone 15 Pro Max?
iPhone Air leads iPhone Air vs iPhone 15 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, and weight.
iPhone Air vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: which has the better battery?
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone Air: up to 27 hours video playback. iPhone 15 Pro Max: up to 29 hours video playback.
iPhone Air vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: which has the better camera?
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. iPhone Air: 48MP f/1.6 main, 2x optical-quality crop. iPhone 15 Pro Max: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephoto. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone Air and iPhone 15 Pro Max cost at launch?
iPhone Air and iPhone 15 Pro Max do not publish a comparable launch price figure. iPhone Air: Not listed. iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1,199 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone Air technical specifications
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max technical specifications