More than two weeks into using the iPhone 17, it’s becoming more evident that it’s one of the best iPhones you can buy right now. I know the iPhone Air is getting a ton of attention due to its ultra-thin design, but I’m the kind of person that wants to get the most bang-for-the-buck deal on my purchase.
I’ve said in my iPhone 17 review how it’s a “very robust phone that strikes a balance between performance and price.” I feel strongly more about that now after spending two weeks with the iPhone 17, since that’s a good enough stretch of time to really get a feeling for a new gadget.
Sure, the iPhone Air is an engineering marvel, but there are major compromises you’re going to have to make. Here’s why I recommend the iPhone 17 over the iPhone Air.
Longer battery life
One of the biggest concerns with engineering a phone that’s 5.64mm thin is how much space is devoted to the battery. Yet, that’s exactly what the iPhone Air faces, as its battery life runs shorter than the iPhone 17.
On its own, the Air's battery lasted 12 hours and 2 minutes running our battery drain test — whereas the iPhone 17 held out for longer at 12 hours and 47 minutes. That might not seem like a big deal, but I know how an additional 45 minutes could come in handy in a pinch.
Faster charging speed
You would think that the more expensive phone would get treated to faster charging speeds, but that’s not the case. Even though Apple doesn’t outright say the charging speed of the iPhone Air, our testing shows it’s still slower than the iPhone 17.
Using Apple’s new 40W charger, the iPhone Air gets to 30% and 55% in 15 and 30 minutes respectively. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 gets to 39% and 71% in the same amount of time — which I think is helpful when you have a short window and need to recharge.
You get the utility of the ultrawide camera
One of the reasons I’m hesitant about the iPhone Air is because of the single 48MP Fusion camera slapped on the back of the phone. While it’s practically the same main camera found on the iPhone 17, I like the extra utility that the 48MP ultrawide camera brings to the iPhone 17.
For sprawling landscape scenes, I much prefer how the wider field of view on the iPhone 17's ultrawide lens helps to capture the entirety of the shot — while also being helpful with group photos when I’m trying to cram as many people into the frame. If that’s not enough, the ultrawide camera also gives the iPhone its macro abilities, so I’m able to get closer to a subject with the iPhone 17.
Record spatial video
Speaking of dual cameras, the vertically stacked lenses on the iPhone 17 gives it the ability to record spatial video. When played back on VR and AR headsets, like the Apple Vision Pro, spatial video gives users that sense of depth.
Since the iPhone Air has only a single rear camera, it can’t do this. This essentially makes the iPhone 17 a bit more future-proof compared to the iPhone Air.
You get many of the same features
Aside from the engineering marvel of the iPhone Air, there isn’t a whole lot else that’s unique or exclusive to it. Quite frankly, the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air share a lot of the same features — both the hardware and software. And that favors the cheaper iPhone 17.
Over on the hardware side, the two models share the same new 18MP Center Stage front camera that lets you capture selfies with the same four framing options. With iOS 26, there’s nothing that the iPhone Air can call its own that you won’t find with the iPhone 17.
For example, both phones have Call Screen and Live Translation features. This also includes Apple Intelligence features, like how it’s integrated into screen shots. The iPhone 17 and iPhone Air also have the new Dual Capture feature that lets you simultaneously record video with the front and rear cameras.
More color options
I know color options do matter to some people, so if you’re after the best options, the iPhone 17 has more to choose from. Not only are there five iPhone 17 colors versus the four with the iPhone Air, you also get options with color in them.
I’m a fan of the Sage and Mist Blue iPhone 17 colors, as they have a deeper tone than the Lavender model I’ve been using for more than two weeks now.
It’s cheaper
And lastly, I can’t stress enough about how you’ll save more with the iPhone 17. It starts at $799 and comes with 256GB of storage, whereas the iPhone Air starts at $999 with the same 256GB capacity.
That $200 difference is pretty big considering how the iPhone 17 has a longer battery life, charges faster, comes with an extra camera, and can record spatial video.
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