The headline feature of Apple’s new “Air” model is simple to grasp: it’s remarkably thin. But how does it actually compare to the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 lineup, and will that slim profile make a difference in your hand or pocket? Here’s a clear, numbers-first look at the depth (Apple’s term for thickness) across the three.
How the measurements stack up
According to Apple’s published specifications, the iPhone 16 measures 0.31 inch (7.80 mm) in depth. Apple lists the standard iPhone 17 at the same 0.31 inch thickness, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max move to 0.34 inch (8.75 mm).
The iPhone Air lands at 0.22 inch (5.64 mm). In plain terms, that makes the Air about 28% thinner than the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17, and roughly 36% thinner than the 17 Pro models. The gap between the 17 Pro (0.34 in) and the mainstream 16/17 (0.31 in) is 0.03 inch—close to a millimeter—enough to notice side-by-side, especially around the frame.
Keep in mind: Apple’s depth spec does not include the camera bump. That’s standard across models, so the comparisons are apples-to-apples, but in real-world use the lens island will protrude beyond the listed depth on all three families.
Will you actually feel the difference?
A 0.09-inch delta (0.22 in vs 0.31 in) sounds small on paper, yet in hand it’s tangible. Grip the side rails and the Air’s frame feels closer to a sleek slab than a rounded brick. Slide it into a jeans pocket and that nearly two-millimeter savings reduces the “phone print,” especially when you sit or bend. For context, a typical credit card is about 0.76 mm thick; the iPhone Air is roughly seven credit cards stacked, while an iPhone 16 is just over ten.
Cases complicate the story. A slim protective case often adds 1–2 mm. Put a minimalist case on the Air and you’ll end up near the naked thickness of an iPhone 16; put a case on the 16, and the Air still stays slimmer, but the gap narrows. If you prefer running your phone case-free, the Air’s advantage is most pronounced.
Why thinner is hard—and what Apple likely changed
Driving a flagship-class phone down to 5.64 mm is an engineering juggling act. Less internal volume means tougher trade-offs for battery capacity, heat dissipation, structural rigidity, and camera module height. Teardown specialists like iFixit have chronicled Apple’s shift toward denser batteries, stacked logic boards, and extensive internal bracing over recent generations—techniques that help reclaim space without gutting performance.
Structural strength is the other pillar. The industry learned hard lessons from the ultrathin iPhone 6 era; Consumer Reports’ bend testing at the time underscored the limits of thin aluminum shells. Modern phones counter that with stronger alloys, internal ribs, and strategically placed adhesives that act like structural members. Expect the Air to lean on a combination of high-strength frame materials and redesigned internal geometry to resist flex at such a slim profile.
Thermals also matter. A thinner chassis gives heat less mass to soak into. Apple’s custom silicon has steadily improved performance-per-watt, and industry analysts at firms like Display Supply Chain Consultants have noted thinner display stacks in recent generations. Both trends free up a few precious tenths of a millimeter that make designs like the Air possible.
Numbers in context: pocket feel vs. pro heft
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max hitting 0.34 inch (8.75 mm) underscores a longstanding split in priorities: pro cameras and bigger batteries add bulk. That extra ~12% thickness versus the 0.31-inch models is the price of larger sensors, stabilization hardware, and thermal headroom. If you want the lightest, flattest silhouette, the Air is the outlier by design; if you shoot a lot of photos or push sustained performance, the thicker Pro line is built for that.
One more real-world nuance: table wobble. Because all three families have camera bumps, none will lie perfectly flat glass-down. However, the thinner Air may exaggerate the perception of the bump’s height, simply because the body is lower. It’s not a functional problem, but it’s something you’ll notice when tapping near a corner on a desk.
Bottom line: how thin is thin enough?
On spec sheets, the iPhone Air is decisively slimmer: 0.22 inch vs 0.31 inch for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17, and 0.34 inch for the 17 Pro models. In daily use, that’s the difference between a phone that disappears in a pocket and one that still feels traditional. If thinness and lightness top your list, the Air’s 5.64 mm depth is the clear winner. If you value endurance and pro-grade cameras, the thicker models justify their millimeters.
Either way, the spread tells a broader story about Apple’s lineup strategy: one branch is chasing extreme thinness without sacrificing everyday capability, while another leans into performance and optics—even if that adds a millimeter or two. For buyers, that makes the choice refreshingly straightforward.