# iPhone Air vs. iPhone 16 Plus: An In-Depth Comparison
With the launch of the iPhone 17 series, Apple has chosen to retire the Plus version in favor of the new iPhone Air. This article explores the prominent distinctions and similarities between these two models, emphasizing design, performance, and features.
## Size and Slimness
The starkest contrast between the iPhone Air and the iPhone 16 Plus is found in their design. The iPhone Air is substantially slimmer and lighter:
– **Thickness**: 5.64 mm (reduced from 7.80 mm)
– **Weight**: 165 g (5.82 oz, reduced from 199 g or 7.03 oz)
Regarding dimensions, the iPhone Air is also shorter and narrower:
– **Height**: 6.15 in (156.2 mm, reduced from 6.33 in or 160.9 mm)
– **Width**: 2.94 in (74.7 mm, reduced from 3.06 in or 77.8 mm)
The camera bump on the back of the iPhone Air is now full-width, though it is shorter than that of the iPhone 16 Plus.
## Streamlined Colors
The iPhone Air presents a new, streamlined color selection compared to the iPhone 16 Plus. It comes in:
– **Sky Blue**
– **Light Gold**
– **Cloud White**
– **Space Black**
On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Plus was available in Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black.
## Display Characteristics
The iPhone Air features the same Super Retina XDR Display attributes as the iPhone 17 Pro, including ProMotion technology. This brings various enhancements over the iPhone 16 Plus:
– **Adaptive Refresh Rate**: Varies from 1Hz to 120Hz, leading to smoother visuals and better battery efficiency.
– **Always-On Display**: Displays time, widgets, and notifications while the device is in sleep mode.
However, the display size is slightly smaller:
– **iPhone Air**: 6.55 inches
– **iPhone 16 Plus**: 6.69 inches
### Display Resolutions
– **iPhone Air**: 2736 × 1260 at 460 ppi
– **iPhone 16 Plus**: 2796 × 1290 at 460 ppi
The iPhone Air also integrates Ceramic Shield 2, which enhances durability and visibility in outdoor conditions, boasting a peak brightness of 3000 nits.
## A19 Chip Performance
The iPhone Air is powered by the A19 Pro chip, delivering superior performance compared to the A18 in the iPhone 16 Plus. Significant enhancements include:
– Advanced AI capabilities with new Neural Accelerators.
– A GPU that offers up to 3x the peak compute power over the previous generation.
– Increased RAM: 12 GB in the iPhone Air versus 8 GB in the iPhone 16 Plus.
## Battery Performance and Charging
Apple asserts that the iPhone Air delivers comparable battery performance to the iPhone 16 Plus in specific scenarios:
– **Video Playback (Downloaded)**: Up to 27 hours (equal to iPhone 16 Plus)
– **Streamed Video Playback**: Up to 22 hours (a decrease from 24 hours)
Utilizing the MagSafe Battery accessory, the iPhone Air can achieve:
– **Video Playback (Downloaded)**: Up to 40 hours
– **Streamed Video Playback**: Up to 35 hours
Charging is also moderately faster, with the iPhone Air reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes using a 20W adapter.
## Camera Features
A notable trade-off in the iPhone Air is the lack of an Ultra Wide camera. Nonetheless, it retains the 48MP Fusion Wide camera from the iPhone 17 series, enabling full-resolution 12MP images at 2x zoom. The camera also benefits from enhanced processing for superior image quality.
The iPhone Air forgoes the Cinematic Mode for video recording but continues to excel in Portrait mode capabilities.
### Center Stage Front Camera
The iPhone Air introduces an upgraded Center Stage front camera with an 18MP square sensor, facilitating seamless transitions between portrait and landscape orientations. This feature automatically adjusts framing during video calls and selfies.
## Wireless Networking and Modem
The iPhone Air comes with Apple’s first in-house wireless chip, improving overall wireless functionality. It includes:
– **Bluetooth 6** (enhanced from 5.3)
– **Precision Dual-Frequency GPS** for better location accuracy
– Support for NavIC in India
Moreover, the iPhone Air is the first model to utilize Apple’s innovative C1X cellular modem, which is up to 2x faster than its predecessor, the C1 modem, while consuming
