Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup delivers an exciting mix of innovation, design, and power, giving consumers a variety of cutting-edge smartphones to choose from. With the launch of the ultra-thin iPhone Air, the powerful iPhone 17 Pro, and the largest and longest-lasting iPhone 17 Pro Max, there’s an option for every type of user. But how do these three models really compare? Which one offers the best value and features for your money?
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the new iPhones. We covered all from design to camera, performance, battery, and pricing—to help you decide which new iPhone to buy in 2025.
iPhone Air vs 17 Pro vs Pro Max: Specs compared
| iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max | |
| Starting price | $999 / £999 / AU$1,799 | $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,999 | $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,199 |
| Display | 6.5 inches | 6.3 inches | 6.9 inches |
| CPU | A19 Pro (5-core GPU) | A19 Pro (6-core GPU) | A19 Pro (6-core GPU) |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main | 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x telephoto | 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x telephoto |
| Front camera | 18MP | 18MP | 18MP |
| Colors | Sky Blue, Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue |
| Battery life (rated) | 39 hours of video | 27 hours of video | 39 hours video |
| Size | 6.2 x 2.9 x 0.22 inches (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.64 mm) | 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.34-inches (150 x 71.9 x 8.75mm) | 6.4 x 3.0 x 0.34-inches (163.4 x 78 x 8.75mm) |
| Weight | 5.82 ounces (165 grams) | 7.27 ounces (206 grams) | 8.22 ounces (233 grams) |
Design and Display: Sleek Lightweight vs Rugged Pro Build
iPhone Air: Apple's Thinnest and Lightest iPhone Ever
The 2025 iPhone Air is a marvel of engineering, measuring just 5.6mm thick. However, it is Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date. Crafted with a titanium frame, it combines ultra-lightness with impressive durability. It is notably lighter than the Pro models, which makes it the best choice for users. The Air boasts a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion technology. It supports an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz for silky smooth scrolling and animations. With a peak brightness reaching 3,000 nits, outdoor viewing is crisp, and the Ceramic Shield covers the front for increased scratch resistance.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: Aluminium Unibody for Robustness and Battery Room
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max break from Apple’s previous use of titanium in Pro models. This time, Apple opted for a lightweight aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminum unibody. This change allows Apple to incorporate a new vapor chamber cooling system for sustained high performance. It makes room for larger batteries, which improves battery life significantly. The Pro is equipped with a 6.3-inch display, slightly smaller than the Air. The Pro Max features a large 6.9-inch screen, ideal for media consumption and productivity. Both Pro models feature Ceramic Shield 2, which triples rear scratch resistance and quadruples crack resistance compared to older models.
All three models sport Super Retina XDR displays with HDR, True Tone, wide color support (P3), and an anti-reflective coating designed to reduce glare, perfect for bright environments.
Camera Comparison: From Everyday to Professional-Grade
iPhone Air: Simple Yet Effective Dual Camera System
The iPhone Air’s camera setup consists of a 48MP Fusion main camera paired with a 12MP telephoto lens. While it lacks an ultra-wide camera option, the Air compensates with a 2x optical zoom capability through the telephoto lens. The front camera is upgraded to an 18MP unit with Center Stage support, making it great for video calls and selfies. This camera array is suitable for casual photographers as well as for social media users who desire quality shots without the complexity of multiple lenses.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max: Advanced Triple Camera System
For those who want more photography power, the Pro and Pro Max trim levels deliver an industry-leading triple 48MP Fusion setup. It includes an ultra-wide, a standard wide, and a new telephoto camera. What sets the Pro Max apart is its telephoto lens with an 8x optical zoom, Apple’s longest ever, enabling detailed distant shots without degrading quality. Digital zoom can extend to a staggering 40x. Both Pro models include cinematic video features such as Dolby Vision HDR and ProRes RAW video capture. The Apple Log 2 and genlock for multi-camera synchronization, catering to content creators and filmmakers.
The front camera on Pro models also boasts an 18MP Center Stage unit with improved field of view, 4K HDR video recording, and advanced stabilization, excelling in selfies and video conferencing.
Performance and Software: Power to Play and Create
Apple Silicon: A19 vs A19 Pro
The iPhone Air is powered by Apple's 3nm A19 chip, delivering remarkable performance improvements over the previous generation. This processor is optimized for efficient AI tasks and future software needs, making it a great performer for gaming, multitasking, and daily use.
On the other hand, the Pro models house the enhanced A19 Pro chip. It features a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine with dedicated neural accelerators. This chip improves not only raw performance but also efficiency and thermal management, thanks to the new vapor chamber cooling system exclusive to these models.
iOS 26 and AI Features
All models run iOS 26, which brings new AI-driven enhancements like Live Translation, improved visual intelligence, offline foundation models, and advanced communication tools for a smarter smartphone experience.
Battery Life and Charging: Longevity for Professionals and Power Users
Battery life is often a deal-breaker for many users. The iPhone Air offers up to 27 hours of video playback on a single charge, which is impressive given its ultra-thin form factor. This is made possible by its efficient A19 chip and optimized software.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro stretches battery life further to about 33 hours of video playback, benefiting from a larger battery housed in its aluminum frame.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max leads the pack with a whopping 39 hours of video playback due to its larger physical size, bigger battery capacity, as well as efficient vapor chamber cooling. This model also supports fast charging up to 50% in around 20 minutes using Apple’s new 40W USB-C adapter.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max offer the latest connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread support for smart home devices, and an all-new N1 wireless chip that enhances speed and reliability.
The Pro Max particularly stands out by offering an eSIM-only model in certain regions, freeing physical space for the bigger battery mentioned earlier.
All phones support 5G and a range of advanced security features, including Face ID with improved recognition speed.
Pricing and Availability in the USA and the UK
| iPhone Model | Storage Options | USA Price (USD) | UK Price (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Air | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | $999 / $1,199 / $1,399 | £999 / £1,199 / £1,399 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | $1,099 / $1,299 / $1,499 | £1,099 / £1,299 / £1,499 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | $1,199 / $1,399 / $1,599 / $1,999 | £1,199 / £1,399 / £1,599 / £1,999 |
- The iPhone Air starts at $999 in the USA and £999 in the UK for the base 256GB model.
- The iPhone 17 Pro begins at $1,099 in the USA and £1,099 in the UK for 256GB storage.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 in the USA and £1,199 in the UK for 256GB, with options up to 2TB that cost $1,999 in the USA and £1,999 in the UK.
Who Should Buy Which Model?
- Buy iPhone Air if:
- You want the lightest and thinnest iPhone with a solid titanium build.
- You prefer a more affordable iPhone but still want a 120Hz OLED display and a powerful camera.
- Portability is essential, and you're a casual photographer or daily user.
- You don't need the advanced triple-camera system or extended battery life.
- Buy iPhone 17 Pro if:
- You're a power user who regularly uses professional apps or games.
- You want advanced camera features like triple lenses, Dolby Vision HDR, and ProRes video support.
- You want a premium build with better thermal management as well as longer battery life than the Air.
- The 6.3-inch display size is perfect for your hands and use case.
- Buy iPhone 17 Pro Max if:
- You want the largest display and best media consumption experience.
- Battery life is your top priority, needing the longest-lasting iPhone.
- You are into photography or videography and require 8x optical zoom plus professional video tools.
- You need the maximum storage option (up to 2TB) for your extensive files.
FAQs
1. What are the main design differences between the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and Pro Max?
The iPhone Air is Apple's slimmest and lightest phone ever, featuring a titanium frame that balances durability and weight. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max use an aluminum unibody design to enable better heat dissipation and house larger batteries. The Pro Max is the largest with a 6.9-inch display, while the Air and Pro feature 6.5-inch and 6.3-inch screens, respectively.
2. Which iPhone model has the best camera setup for photography enthusiasts?
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have advanced triple 48MP camera systems, including an ultra-wide and an 8x optical zoom telephoto lens exclusive to the Pro Max, tailored for serious photographers and videographers. The iPhone Air has a single 48MP Fusion camera without an ultra-wide lens, suitable for casual photography.
3. How do battery life and charging speeds differ across these iPhone models?
The iPhone Air offers up to 27 hours of video playback, the Pro up to 33 hours, and the Pro Max leads with up to 39 hours, thanks to its bigger battery and vapor chamber cooling system. The Pro models support 40W fast charging with a 50% charge in 20 minutes, while the Air requires 30 minutes using a 20W adapter for similar charging levels.
4. What performance differences exist between the iPhone Air and the Pro models?
All three models run on Apple's latest A19 chipset platform, but the Pro and Pro Max use the enhanced A19 Pro chip, which features additional GPU cores and a vapor chamber cooling system, allowing sustained performance for demanding tasks. The iPhone Air’s A19 chip is powerful but slightly less robust under heavy loads.
5. Which iPhone is best for everyday users vs professional content creators?
Everyday users who prioritize a slim, lightweight design and good camera quality will appreciate the iPhone Air. Power users and professional creators needing advanced photography, video features, longer battery life, and top-tier performance should consider the iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max based on screen size and budget.
Final Verdict
Apple’s 2025 iPhone lineup delivers innovation at multiple levels: the Air for sleek, light, and accessible power; the Pro for professional-grade features and performance; and the Pro Max for expansive display, battery, and camera capability. You can check some good previous models, iPhone 16, 15, Pro, and Pro Max, if you don't want to spend too much on the latest one.
Choosing the right iPhone comes down to your personal preferences for size, power, camera, and budget. Each model is a worthy contender, making this one of Apple’s most diverse and consumer-focused lineups yet.