Apple iPhone Air (256GB) vs Apple iPhone 5S (16GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone Air vs Apple iPhone 5S 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
4"
IPS
IPS
640x1136
8
MP
MP
1.2mp
1GB
RAM
RAM
Dual-core
1560
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!
34 Advantages 
3 Advantages | 21 Common items in both devices |
| Dual-LED flash |
| Only digital zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / Autofocus |
| BSI sensor |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras / HDR photo on both cameras |
| Capacitive |
| Multitouch |
| +14 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 5S (16GB) | |
| Model | iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone 17 Air (A3260, A3517, A3518) | Apple iPhone 5S A1453, A1457, A1530, A1533 |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Apple | Apple |
| Release date | 9/19/2025, Announced: 9/9/2025 | 9/20/2013, Announced: 9/10/2013 |
| Depth | 5.6 millimeters (0.22 inches) | 7.6 millimeters (0.3 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 74.7 x 156.2 millimeters (2.94 x 6.15 in) | 58.6 x 123.8 millimeters (2.31 x 4.87 in) |
| Weight | 165 grams (5.78 ounces) | 112 grams (3.92 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Titanium frame, glass front and back Back: Ceramic Shield | Aluminum body, glass front |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | Not supported |
📲 Display | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| Display type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | TFT LED-Backlit IPS LCD |
| Screen size | 6.5" inches | 4" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~88.8% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~60.8% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1260x2736 pixels (19.5:9) | 640x1136 pixels (16:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 5-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 463 PPI | 326 PPI |
| Colors | 1 billion | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Ceramic Shield 2 | Gorilla Glass |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | 1000nits[typ], 3000nits[peak] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Always-On Display Oleophobic coating screen True-tone Wide color gamut | Not supported |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| System version | iOS 26 | iOS 7.0 |
| Firmware update | feature not registered | iOS 12 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A19 Pro (3nm) | 64bit: Apple A7 (APL0698) (28nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 4.26GHz P-Core (Dual-core) 4x 2.2GHz E-Core (Quad-core) | Dual-core, 1 processor: 2x 1.3GHz Cyclone (Dual-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | A19 Pro GPU (5-core) | PowerVR G6430 (4-core, 400MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 2000993 (v10) Geekbench: 9682 (v6.5) | Basemark X: 14341 |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5X | 1GB LPDDR3 |
| Internal storage | 256GB (230GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 16GB (13GB available) eMMC |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Not supported |
| SIM card | e-SIM (Eletronic) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 Mbps | 100/50 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| 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 800/1700/1900/2100, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | A1453/A1533 GSM model: UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A1453/A1533 CDMA model: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO A1457/A1530 model: UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 |
| 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 Cat3 A1453 model: LTE 700/800/850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100 (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,8,13,17,18,19,20,25,26) A1533 model: LTE 700/800/850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100 (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,8,13,17,19,20,25) A1457 model: LTE 800/850/900/1800/1900/2100/2600 (Bands 1,2,3,5,7,8,20) A1530 model: LTE 800/850/900/1800/1900/2100/2600 (Bands 1,2,3,5,7,8,20) TD-LTE 1900/2300/2600 (Bands 38,39,40) |
| 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) | Not supported |
| 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, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE |
| 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 5S (16GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 48 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 8000x6000 pixels | 3264x2448 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.6 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | 29mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/1.56" inches | 1/3" inches |
| Pixel size | 1µm pixel | 1.5µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | Autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization on both cameras | EIS: Digital 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 on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@24/25/30/60fps 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps Dolby Vision (60fps) 10-bit HDR | feature not registered |
📸 Front camera | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | (dual front camera) 18 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D | 1.2 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 5184x3456 pixels | 1280x960 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | HD (1280x720) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/1.9 (aperture) | f/2.4 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 31mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Mono sound (not stereo) Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio 3D | Supported |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones | 2 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MPEG4, H.264, MOV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, AAC, eAAC, M4A |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector | USB 2.0 proprietary connector |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | Proprietary TV-out |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 + A2DP/LE | 4.0 + A2DP |
| 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 [wifi4] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO |
| DLNA | Not supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS |
| NFC | Supported | Not supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 3D Gyroscope Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Fingerprint sensor (front-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3149 mAh | 1560 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 30W Wired fast charging 4.5W Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 2.0 | Wired charging |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 25W Qi2 wireless charging | Not supported |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 10 hours |
| Standby | feature not registered | 250 hours (10.4 days) |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| 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, Gold • Touch ID • Oleophobic coating • Simultaneous HD video and image recording • FaceTime • Siri natural language • AirDrop file sharing • iCloud cloud service • WiFi hotspot |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone 5S (16GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | 1.12W/kg (head), 1.18W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 1W/kg (head), 0.8W/kg (body) |