Apple’s iPhone 17 family spans four distinct devices: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. I compared them side by side to find the real differences that matter in daily use, from display and cameras to thermals and battery life—and to help you pick the right one without overspending.
Headline takeaways: ProMotion 120Hz is now across the lineup, the new Air is the thinnest iPhone yet, the Pro models adopt a new unibody design with improved cooling, and Apple has reshuffled storage and battery priorities. Prices span roughly from $799 to $1,199 at launch, depending on the model and storage tier.
Design and displays
The iPhone 17 keeps the familiar silhouette with raised camera rings and contoured edges. It’s compact with a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display and now gets ProMotion, so scrolling and gaming feel fluid at up to 120Hz. Apple’s Ceramic Shield 2 protects the glass and reduces glare compared with prior generations, according to Apple’s technical briefings.
The iPhone Air is the design statement. At 5.6mm, it’s the thinnest iPhone Apple has made, and the titanium frame keeps it light yet rigid. Its 6.5-inch display also supports ProMotion, delivering a larger canvas in a body that slips easily into a pocket or small bag. The trade-offs are intentional, and we’ll get to them.
The 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max move to a brushed aluminum unibody that’s lighter and engineered for better heat dissipation. Displays measure 6.3 inches on the Pro and a sprawling 6.9 inches on the Pro Max. Apple rates the Pro Max up to 3,000 nits peak brightness with improved outdoor contrast, which is noticeable under midday sun when framing photos or reading maps.
Performance and connectivity
The iPhone 17 runs Apple’s A19, which is more than enough for day-to-day apps, high-refresh gaming, and on-device AI features. The Air, Pro, and Pro Max step up to A19 Pro, pairing a 6-core CPU with a 6-core GPU and an upgraded Neural Engine for heavier creative and productivity workloads.
Apple’s new N1 wireless chip appears in Air and Pro models, adding Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. In practice, that means faster local transfers and more reliable AirDrop and smart-home connectivity. The Air also includes Apple’s C1X modem, which Apple says doubles peak cellular throughput versus prior iterations while cutting power draw.
Thermals are a quiet but important story. The Pro pair introduce a vapor chamber with de‑ionized water to wick heat from the A19 Pro. That helps sustain performance during long 4K video shoots or extended gaming sessions. It’s one of those changes you won’t see in a spec sheet but will feel six months in.
Cameras and video
All four phones get a new Center Stage selfie camera with a wider field of view and higher resolution, plus a square sensor design that captures more in the frame—even for landscape selfies without rotating the phone. Low-light selfies are cleaner, and video calls track motion more naturally.
The iPhone 17 offers a versatile dual system: a 48MP Fusion main and a 48MP Fusion ultra-wide. You get crisp detail, strong HDR, and reliable portrait separation without moving into Pro territory. It’s the sweet spot for most people who shoot family, food, and travel.
The iPhone Air intentionally keeps a single 48MP Fusion rear camera to achieve its thinness. It supports 28mm and 35mm equivalent framing and delivers macro shots that punch above its weight. If you don’t need telephoto, you’ll be happy with the Air’s output.
The 17 Pro and Pro Max go all-in with three 48MP Fusion cameras, including an upgraded telephoto with a larger sensor for better night shots and cleaner 2–5x framing. An updated Photonic Engine leans on AI to preserve texture and color accuracy while reducing noise. Creators will notice more consistent skin tones and finer detail in foliage and fabrics.
Battery, durability, and trade-offs
Battery life differs meaningfully. Apple rates the iPhone 17 at up to 30 hours of video playback, the Air at 27 hours, and both Pro models at up to 39 hours. In real use, that translates to a comfortable full day for the 17 and Air, and a day and a half for the Pros for most people.
The Air goes eSIM-only, so there’s no physical SIM tray. That’s not an issue in markets where carriers support instant provisioning, but travelers should confirm eSIM support with their secondary carriers before buying. The Air’s single camera is the other main compromise you should weigh against its ultra-thin build.
Storage starts at 256GB on the 17 and scales to 1TB on Air and Pro, with the Pro Max reaching up to 2TB. If you film a lot of 4K or keep large offline media libraries, start at 512GB to avoid constant cleanup. Historically, Apple supports iPhones with major software updates for five or more years, which helps long-term value.
Buying advice: the right model for you
Choose iPhone 17 if you want the best value. You get the 120Hz ProMotion display, strong dual cameras, the classic design, and excellent battery life at the most accessible price. For most users, this is the no‑brainer pick.
Choose iPhone Air if you prioritize thinness and portability above all else. It’s the lightest, slimmest iPhone with a larger 6.5-inch screen, modern radios, and impressive single‑camera quality. Accept the eSIM-only setup and lack of telephoto, and you’ll love carrying it.
Choose iPhone 17 Pro if you create content or game for long stretches. The triple 48MP system, vapor‑chamber cooling, and A19 Pro headroom deliver sustained performance and better low‑light shots. It’s the sweet spot for enthusiasts who don’t need the largest display.
Choose iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want no compromises. The 6.9-inch display is the best for outdoor visibility and editing on the go, and the huge battery plus the same pro‑grade cameras make it the ultimate travel and creator phone.
One last angle: market data from firms like Counterpoint Research and CIRP shows Pro variants drive a disproportionate share of iPhone revenue because buyers value cameras and battery life. If those are your top priorities—and your budget allows—start with the Pro. If you want maximum value per dollar, the iPhone 17 is the smarter play.