Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) vs Apple iPhone Air (512GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone 16e vs Apple iPhone Air phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.1"
OLED
OLED
1170x2532
48
MP
MP
12mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
4005
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.5"
OLED
OLED
1260x2736
48
MP
MP
18mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3149
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Apple iPhone Air (512GB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
3 Advantages 
17 Advantages | 38 Common items in both devices |
| NVMe (SSD) |
| Super Retina XDR OLED / LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED |
| 1 billion |
| (back) 48MP |
| Dual-LED flash |
| Only digital zoom |
| PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| +31 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Model | iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone 16e (A3212, A3408, A3409, A3410) | iPhone 17 Air (A3260, A3517, A3518) |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Apple | Apple |
| Release date | 2/28/2025, Announced: 2/19/2025 | 9/19/2025, Announced: 9/9/2025 |
| Depth | 7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 5.6 millimeters (0.22 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 71.5 x 146.7 millimeters (2.81 x 5.78 in) | 74.7 x 156.2 millimeters (2.94 x 6.15 in) |
| Weight | 167 grams (5.85 ounces) | 165 grams (5.78 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | Titanium frame, glass front and back Back: Ceramic Shield |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Display type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Screen size | 6.1" inches | 6.5" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~87.1% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~88.8% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1170x2532 pixels (19.5:9) | 1260x2736 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 457 PPI | 463 PPI |
| Colors | 1 billion | 1 billion |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Ceramic Shield | Ceramic Shield 2 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1200nits[peak] HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen True-tone Wide color gamut | 1000nits[typ], 3000nits[peak] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Always-On Display Oleophobic coating screen True-tone Wide color gamut |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| System version | iOS 18 | iOS 26 |
| Firmware update | iOS 26 | feature not registered |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A18 (3nm) | 64bit: Apple A19 Pro (3nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 3.78GHz P-Core (Dual-core) 4x 2.1GHz E-Core (Quad-core) | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 4.26GHz P-Core (Dual-core) 4x 2.2GHz E-Core (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | A18 GPU (4-core) | A19 Pro GPU (5-core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 1401105 (v10) Geekbench: 8224 (v6) | AnTuTu: 2000993 (v10) Geekbench: 9682 (v6.5) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5X | 12GB LPDDR5X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (104GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 512GB (482GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | e-SIM (Eletronic) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 Mbps | 5000/1024 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 53, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 VoLTE A3517 (International): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 53, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) A3260 (USA): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 53, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) A3518 (Canada, Mexico, EMEA): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 53, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) | A3517 (International): SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79) A3260 (USA): SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79) A3518 (Canada, Mexico, EMEA): SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6, mmWave |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 48 megapixels | 48 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 8000x6000 pixels | 8000x6000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.6 (aperture) | f/1.6 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/1.56" inches | 1/1.56" inches |
| Pixel size | 1µm pixel | 1µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization on both cameras |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@24/25/30/60fps 1080p@25/30/60/120fps Dolby Vision HDR (60fps) | 4K@24/25/30/60fps 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps Dolby Vision (60fps) |
📸 Front camera | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | (dual front camera) 12 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D | (dual front camera) 18 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D |
| Front camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 5184x3456 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/1.9 (aperture) | f/1.9 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 23mm (lens) | feature not registered |
| Sensor size | 1/3.6" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio 3D | Mono sound (not stereo) Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio 3D |
| Active noise cancellation | 3 microphones | 2 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 + A2DP/LE | 6.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be [wifi7/6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 3D Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 3D Gyroscope Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4005 mAh | 3149 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 30W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 30W Wired fast charging 4.5W Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 7.5W Qi wireless charging | 25W Qi2 wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Black, White • Apple Intelligence • Apple Pay • Face ID | • Colors: Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue • Apple Intelligence • Apple Pay • Face ID • MagSafe |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | iPhone Air (512GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 1.19W/kg (head), 1.2W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 1.48W/kg (head), 1.49W/kg (body) | feature not registered |