A while ago, Apple launched the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 simultaneously. While they are different models, their prices aren't significantly different. The iPhone 17 retails for $799 to $999, while the iPhone Air costs around $999 to $1,399.
Although the prices aren't that different, the two have a ton of differences! For example, the iPhone Air is much lighter and thinner than the iPhone 17. Furthermore, the iPhone 17 has a more comprehensive camera setup than the iPhone Air. Not to be outdone, the iPhone Air's performance is superior to the iPhone 17. So, which iPhone is actually more worth it?
1. The iPhone Air is thinner and lighter
As the name suggests, the iPhone Air is a light and thin iPhone. Specifically, the iPhone Air weighs only about 165 grams and is 5.6 millimeters thick. The iPhone 17 is slightly larger, weighing around 177 grams and being 8 millimeters thick, similar to other phones on the market. Because it's lighter and thinner, the iPhone is more comfortable to use with one hand because it won't tire quickly. Despite its thinness, Apple claims the iPhone Air remains durable thanks to its titanium body.
2. The iPhone 17 has a larger battery capacity
Because it's thinner, the iPhone Air has a smaller battery capacity, at 3149 mAh. Meanwhile, the thicker iPhone 17 boasts a battery capacity of 3,692 mAh. Apple claims the iPhone 17 can play video continuously for 30 hours. On the other hand, the iPhone Air can only play video continuously for 27 hours, 3 hours less than the iPhone 17. Uniquely, Apple sells a battery pack that functions like a power bank and can slightly increase the iPhone Air's battery capacity. With the battery pack, the iPhone Air can play video for up to 40 hours.
3. The iPhone Air's performance is slightly higher than the iPhone 17
The iPhone Air uses the A19 Pro chipset, the same chipset used in the iPhone 17 Pro series. The difference is that the A19 Pro in the iPhone Air only has five GPU cores, while the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro has a six-core GPU configuration. Therefore, when compared to the iPhone 17 Pro series, the A19 Pro chipset in the iPhone Air is slightly underperforming. However, the performance difference won't be significant.
The iPhone Air has significantly higher performance compared to the iPhone 17. This is likely because the iPhone 17 uses the regular A19 chipset, which is a lower tier than the A19 Pro. However, it's not yet known how significant the difference is between the A19 and the iPhone 17 and the A19 Pro in the iPhone Air. Furthermore, the iPhone Air also has more RAM, at 12GB.
4. The iPhone 17's camera configuration is more comprehensive than the iPhone Air's
The iPhone Air is indeed more expensive. However, it only has two cameras: one rear camera and one front camera. For the front cameras, the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 have similar specifications: an 18MP resolution, Center Stage, and OIS stabilization. Both also support HDR and can record 4K video at 60fps.
On the other hand, the iPhone Air only has a single 48MP rear camera. This camera features OIS and up to 2x optical zoom. However, this isn't truly optical zoom, as the iPhone Air lacks a telephoto camera. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 has two rear cameras: a 48MP main camera with OIS and a 48MP ultrawide camera. Therefore, the iPhone 17's camera is more flexible and varied.
5. The iPhone Air only supports eSIMs
All iPhone 17 models, including the iPhone 17, can use both eSIMs and physical SIM cards. This gives you more flexibility and flexibility in using the iPhone 17. However, the iPhone Air only supports eSIMs and cannot accept physical SIM cards.
Of course, this is quite inconvenient, especially for Indonesians who still rely on physical SIM cards. Furthermore, the iPhone Air doesn't support physical SIM cards because its body is too thin, preventing Apple from including a physical SIM card slot.
The iPhone Air and iPhone 17 have different market segments. The iPhone 17 is aimed at casual users who desire a full-featured camera, convenience, and the familiarity of an iPhone. The iPhone Air targets consumers who want a new experience and a lightweight phone. However, at its price, the iPhone 17 seems more worthwhile, offering a more comprehensive package.