Apple iPhone 16 vs Apple iPhone Air

Verdict

Apple iPhone 16 and Apple iPhone Air tie on the OH Rank at a score of 67. They score identically across all ten categories too. Apple iPhone Air is 3.1mm wider than Apple iPhone 16. Apple iPhone Air is the more recent release, from Sep 2025.

Score Breakdown

Category

Apple iPhone 16

71.6mm (2.82in) · Sep 2024 · Rank #125

Apple iPhone Air

74.7mm (2.94in) · Sep 2025 · Rank #128
Performance /15
11
11
Battery /15
6
6
Screen /15
11
11
IP Protection /15
12
12
Main Camera /15
12
12
Selfie /5
5
5
Video /5
5
5
SD Memory /5
0
0
Software /5
5
5
Desktop Replacement /5
0
0
TOTAL
67
67
Apple iPhone 16
71.6mm (2.82in) · Sep 2024 · Rank #125
11+6+11+12+12+5+5+0+5+0 = 67

EDITORIAL: This round Apple upgraded it’s non-Pro models’ chips to match the Pro level. They are now better then ever. iPhone 16 is a great option for anyone needing great photos and videos from a compact iPhone. The screen is still only 60htz (no one else makes phones with such slow refresh rate any more) but this is a flagship grade phone in every other way

PROs
fast performance led by A18 chip, up to 6m of water submersion, good photos and excellent videos from a 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide plus a 12MP Selfie – all with PDAF, 6 years of iOS updates
CONs
improved but still barely a day of battery endurance, slow charging, only 60Hz when every other maker offers 120Hz screen refresh rate, no expandable storage or desktop replacement (updated Mar 30, 2025)
Apple iPhone Air
74.7mm (2.94in) · Sep 2025 · Rank #128
11+6+11+12+12+5+5+0+5+0 = 67

EDITORIAL: Like Samsung, Apple has introduced a slim phone this year. And just like Samsung’s, Apple’s new entry replaces the bigger non-Pro model that wasn’t selling too well. 17 Air is the only iPhone this year to keep the Titanium build and the only one to come with just 2 lenses: one on the front and just one in the back. Other then being 5.6mm thin, 17 Air offers the same screen with anti-reflection coating and the same new “Center Stage” selfie camera as this year’s Pro’s. It’s A19 Pro chip has 1 core less and a noticably slower performance when compared to 17 Pro Max. Night mode photos are painfully slow to take. The still and video imaging is very good but remember: you won’t have access to any meaningful zooming or ultrawide action. At least, Air’s battery life is better then Samsung Edge’s. We wish it more luck then iPhone Plus had.

PROs
strong titanium uni-body, good A19 Pro performance, up to 1TB of storage, sharp 460ppi LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED with Dolby Vision screen, great imaging from a single 48MP OIS PDAF main, excellent new Center Stage 18MP selfie with OIS PDAF, stable iOS with up to 6 years of updates
CONs
short sub-24hr endurance from an old-tech lithium 3150mAh battery, slow >90min 25W wired (20W wireless) charging, screen with just 1000nits brightness, only 1 camera on the back, no SDmemory slot nor desktop replacement feature, slow USB-C 2.0 without Video-Out support, expensive (updated Sep 26, 2025)

Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.

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