iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Air: Which Should You Buy?

Where are the Apple lovers? Get in here because something big is coming your way. As you know, Apple is getting ready to launch the iPhone 17 lineup this September, and two models are already grabbing everyone’s attention. By now, you can already guess which because your guess is as good as ours – the iPhone 17 Pro Max and even the new iPhone 17 Air. The excitement is in the fact that we believe that both phones will come with sleek designs, better cameras, and upgraded performance, despite being built for slightly different types of users. So, which one should you actually consider when it drops? Let’s break it down for you.

We’re going to cover five aspects including performance, color, price, camera and battery. So, let's begin.

Performance: iOS 26 and new chips

In terms of performance, we strongly believe that both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Air will come with iOS 26 right out of the box. And one of the most noticeable changes will be the new “Liquid Glass” icons, making apps look more dynamic and polished. Bet you like it already.

From inside leaks, the Pro Max will likely pack Apple’s A19 Pro chip, while the Air is expected to use the slightly less powerful A19 Bionic. You will be able to use both devices to perform your daily tasks and it will work smoothly. However, you will need to have an extra power to use the device for gaming, editing or other heavy task activities. Don't worry, iPhone 16 will also get the iOS 26 update.

Although you will get an iOS 26 update if you are using an iPhone 16 Pro Max but without the Liquid Glass icons features. That may be only exclusive to the iPhone 17 series because of hardware needs.

Colors: Which color should you choose? 

Variety is the spice of life and so Apple is shaking things up with new colors. Whilst the iPhone 17 Pro Max will come in bold shades like Fancy Orange, Titanium Black, Silver, and Deep Blue,  the iPhone 17 Air on the other hand will stick to softer, minimalist colors such as Soft White, Misty Green, and Lavender Pink.

Compared to the iPhone 16 series, these are new additions. If you want your phone to look different on the outside, then you may want to consider exploring the different color options that'd be available, one of which is the Fancy Orange color. But if you'd like something cool and low-key, you may want to stick with the Air's misty Green or Lavender pink.

pic from Apple Hub

Price: Is the Pro Max worth the extra cash?

Let’s talk money. From leaks, we expect that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will likely start at $1,299, while the iPhone 17 Air will likely come in at $899. That’s a $400 difference, which is quite a gap, if you ask. The Air will be a solid choice if you want a modern iPhone experience without going all-in on price. But if you want the best of everything, in terms of design, cameras, battery life then the Pro Max will still justify its premium tag.

If you use an iPhone 16 Pro Max at the moment, you'd notice the price compared to the upcoming release is about $100. Now, it's up to you to decide if this amount if it's worth upgrading for you.

Camera: Pro Max leads, Air keeps it simple

We believe that the camera setup is where Apple will draw a clear line between these two models. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature a triple-lens system with a 48MP main sensor, ultra-wide lens, and a new periscope telephoto lens that zooms up to 10x. Leaks also suggest that night mode, video stabilization, and portrait mode will also get some good improvements.

The iPhone 17 Air will take a simpler approach with a dual-lens setup, a 48MP main camera and an ultra-wide lens. While it’ll still take nice photos, you won’t get that powerful zoom or enhanced night shots like you’d get with the Pro Max.

If you love mobile photography or shoot a lot of videos, the Pro Max will be your best choice obviously. But if you’re just capturing everyday moments, the Air will handle that with ease.

Battery life and charging: Small, but notable differences

Well, from leaks, don’t expect an overly dramatic difference for the Battery life but it’s still worth mentioning. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to offer up to 28 hours of video playback, while the Air will deliver around 24 hours. However, one good thing is that both models will support Qi 2.2 wireless charging, which means faster and more efficient wireless charging when you pair with compatible accessories like ESR’s upcoming Qi 2.2 chargers.

If you’re a light to moderate user, the Air’s battery will be kind of much. If you need a phone device that can last you for heavy duty use then you can choose to have your eyes on the Pro Max as it promises such a long-lasting feature.

So, which one should you look out for?

While we cannot decide for you, your choice of selection will be based solely on the features you’re looking to get. If you want the best camera, longer battery life, and slightly better performance then the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the best option to go for provided you’re ready to pay the premium. But if you’re after a sleek, modern iPhone that nails all the essentials without draining your pocket, the iPhone 17 Air will be a fantastic choice for you.

For iPhone 16 Pro Max users, the jump to the 17 Pro Max may not feel like a huge leap, honestly. But if you’re on an older iPhone, both models will feel like a nice upgrade.

Now, you may want to wait a while if you love new designs because newer phones get newer upgrades and designs.

On another note, leaks suggest that Apple may launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026 together with the iPhone 8 lineup. We are hoping the foldable iPhone will be a game changer. So, if you're not in a hurry, you may want to be on the look out for that too..

Check out the summary table below comparing the features of both devices and the current iPhone 16 Pro Max to see if it’s worth upgrading.

pic from TechDroider

People also ask: 

Will iPhone 17 Pro Max cases and Screen Protectors fit the iPhone 17 Air?

No, even though they’ll have similar screen sizes, the differences in camera bump and design will mean they need different cases.

Will iPhone 16 Plus cases and Screen Protectors fit the iPhone 17 Air?

No, there will be no alignment between the thinner frame and button placements of the iPhone 17 Air with iPhone 16 Plus cases.

Will iPhone 16 Pro Max cases and Screen Protectors fit the iPhone 17 Pro Max?

No, little design changes, majorly around the camera, will need new cases for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

References

1. Apple Hub. (2025, July 20). iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max. 

2. Engadget. (2025, July 22). iPhone 17 Pro Max and Air: Everything we know about Apple’s new phones.

3. PhoneArena. (2025). iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max – full specs comparison