Apple iPhone Air (256GB) vs Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone Air vs Apple iPhone XS Max 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
6.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1242x2688
12
MP
MP
7.1mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3174
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!
25 Advantages 
5 Advantages | 29 Common items in both devices |
| 256GB (230GB available) / 256GB (244GB available) |
| NVMe (SSD) |
| Super Retina XDR OLED / Super AMOLED |
| Dolby Vision/HDR10 |
| 6.5" |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| BSI sensor |
| +22 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 XS Max (256GB) | |
| Model | iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone 17 Air (A3260, A3517, A3518) | iPhone Xs Max A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104 |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Apple | Apple |
| Release date | 9/19/2025, Announced: 9/9/2025 | 9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018 |
| Depth | 5.6 millimeters (0.22 inches) | 7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 74.7 x 156.2 millimeters (2.94 x 6.15 in) | 77.4 x 157.5 millimeters (3.05 x 6.2 in) |
| Weight | 165 grams (5.78 ounces) | 208 grams (7.28 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Titanium frame, glass front and back Back: Ceramic Shield | Stainless steel body, 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 XS Max (256GB) | |
| Display type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.5" inches | 6.5" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~88.8% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.1% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1260x2736 pixels (19.5:9) | 1242x2688 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 463 PPI | 456 PPI |
| Colors | 1 billion | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Ceramic Shield | Scratch-resistant 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 | 625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| System version | iOS 26 | iOS 12 |
| Firmware update | feature not registered | iOS 18 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A19 Pro (3nm) | 64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 4.26GHz P-Core (Dual-core) 4x 2.2GHz E-Core (Quad-core) | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | A19 Pro GPU (5-core) | Apple GPU (4-Core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 353210 (v7) Geekbench: 11432 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5X | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 256GB (230GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 256GB (244GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| 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 | 1024/150 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 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2104 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 |
| 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 Cat16 VoLTE A1921/A2104 models: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,29,30,32,66,71) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2101 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,28,29,30,32,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2102 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,11,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,21,25,26,28,29,30,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,42,46) |
| 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, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
| 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 XS Max (256GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 48 megapixels | (dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm |
| Main camera resolution | 8000x6000 pixels | 4000x3000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.6 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | 28mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/1.56" inches | 1/2.55" inches |
| Pixel size | 1µm pixel | 1.4µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization on both cameras | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Digital and optical 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) 10-bit HDR | 1080p@240fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | (dual front camera) 18 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D | 7.1 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 5184x3456 pixels | 3072x2304 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/1.9 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 32mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Mono sound (not stereo) Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio 3D | Stereo sound |
| 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 | MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector | USB 2.0 proprietary connector |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | proprietary audio output |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | Proprietary TV-out |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + 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 [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| 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 |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3149 mAh | 3174 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 30W Wired fast charging 4.5W Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 25W Qi2 wireless charging | Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 25 hours (1 days) |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| 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: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Apple Pay • AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri • Face ID |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone Air (256GB) | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | |
| 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 |