Apple iPhone Air (256GB) vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus (128GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone Air vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.5"
OLED
OLED
1260x2736
48
MP
MP
18mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3149
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.7"
OLED
OLED
1290x2796
48
MP
MP
12mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
4674
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Apple iPhone Air (256GB)
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!
11 Advantages 
6 Advantages | 41 Common items in both devices |
| NVMe (SSD) |
| LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED / Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Dolby Vision/HDR10 |
| 1 billion |
| Dual-LED flash |
| Only digital zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| +34 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 Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| Model | iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone 17 Air (A3260, A3517, A3518) | iPhone 16 Plus (A3290, A3082, A3289, A3291) |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Apple | Apple |
| Release date | 9/19/2025, Announced: 9/9/2025 | 9/20/2024, Announced: 9/9/2024 |
| Depth | 5.6 millimeters (0.22 inches) | 7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 74.7 x 156.2 millimeters (2.94 x 6.15 in) | 77.8 x 160.9 millimeters (3.06 x 6.33 in) |
| Weight | 165 grams (5.78 ounces) | 199 grams (6.97 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Titanium frame, glass front and back Back: Ceramic Shield | Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| 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 Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| Display type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Screen size | 6.5" inches | 6.7" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~88.8% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~88% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1260x2736 pixels (19.5:9) | 1290x2796 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 463 PPI | 460 PPI |
| Colors | 1 billion | 1 billion |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Ceramic Shield 2 | Ceramic Shield |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | 1000nits[typ], 3000nits[peak] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Always-On Display Oleophobic coating screen True-tone Wide color gamut | 1000nits[typ], 2000nits[peak] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen True-tone Wide color gamut |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| System version | iOS 26 | iOS 18 |
| Firmware update | feature not registered | iOS 26 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A19 Pro (3nm) | 64bit: Apple A18 (3nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 4.26GHz P-Core (Dual-core) 4x 2.2GHz E-Core (Quad-core) | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 3.78GHz P-Core (Dual-core) 4x 2.1GHz E-Core (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | A19 Pro GPU (5-core) | A18 GPU (5-core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 2000993 (v10) Geekbench: 9682 (v6.5) | AnTuTu: 1539646 (v10) Geekbench: 7988 (v6.0) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5X | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Internal storage | 256GB (230GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 128GB (104GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | e-SIM (Eletronic) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| 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 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) | LTE Cat20 VoLTE A3290 (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, 53) A3082 e-SIM only (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, 53) A3289 (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, 53) A3291 No e-SIM (China): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) |
| Primary 5G network | 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) | A3290 (International): SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) A3082 e-SIM only (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, 76, 77, 78, 79) mmWave (258, 260, 261) A3289 (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, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6) A3291 No e-SIM (China): SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 76, 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, mmWave | 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 Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 48 megapixels | (dual camera) 48 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm120°0.7µmPDAF |
| 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: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization on both cameras | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| 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@25/30/60/120/240fps Dolby Vision (60fps) | 4K@24/25/30/60fps 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps Dolby Vision HDR (60fps) |
📸 Front camera | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | (dual front camera) 18 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D | (dual front camera) 12 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D |
| Front camera resolution | 5184x3456 pixels | 4000x3000 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 | feature not registered | 23mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/3.6" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Mono sound (not stereo) Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio 3D | Stereo sound Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio 3D |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones | 3 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 Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| 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 | 6.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.3 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be [wifi7/6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + 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 |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 3D Gyroscope Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 3D Gyroscope Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3149 mAh | 4674 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 30W Wired fast charging 4.5W Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 30W Wired fast charging 4.5W Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 25W Qi2 wireless charging | 25W Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| 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: Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue • Apple Intelligence • Apple Pay • Face ID • MagSafe | • Colors: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine • Apple Intelligence • Apple Pay • Face ID • MagSafe |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |