Apple iPhone Air vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Buy the iPhone Air if you want the thinnest, lightest iPhone and the lowest price; it is $699.97 at Walmart as of November 4, 2026. Buy the iPhone 17 Pro if you want the bigger 6.9-inch screen, a telephoto lens and longer battery life; it is $978.19 at Walmart as of November 4, 2026. The Air costs about $278 less right now, but the Pro gives you more camera and more screen for that money.
Today the Apple iPhone Air costs $278.22 less at its best price.
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Apple iPhone Air
4.5Choose the iPhone Air if you want a thin, light 6.5-inch iPhone with the A19 Pro chip and you would rather spend the savings elsewhere.
- Thinnest iPhone ever at 5.6 mm and only 5.82 oz
- Lowest price of the two: $699.97 at Walmart as of November 4, 2026
- 6.5-inch OLED at 120Hz with 3000 nits brightness
- A19 Pro chip, 48MP Fusion camera and 18MP Center Stage front camera
What separates them
| Apple iPhone Air | Apple iPhone 17 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (new, as of November 4, 2026) | $699.97 at Walmart | $978.19 at Walmart |
| Thickness and weight | 5.6 mm, 5.82 oz, titanium frame | Thicker aluminum unibody, heavier |
| Screen size | 6.5 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Rear cameras | 48MP Fusion wide and ultra wide, 2x optical-quality zoom | 48MP wide, ultra wide and telephoto |
| Battery (video playback) | Up to 27 hours | Longer than the Air |
| Chip | A19 Pro | A19 Pro |
| SIM | eSIM only | Nano SIM and eSIM |
| Price range since late October |
Price history
- Apple iPhone Air: lowest $9.25 on Oct 29 at Walmart; $699.97 on Nov 4.
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro: lowest $825.59 on Nov 3 at Walmart; $978.19 on Nov 4.
Prices at every store
Apple iPhone Air
- WalmartNew
In stockSold by Networkstore
$699.97Observed at 5:19 AM - Red PocketNew
In stock
$999.00Free shippingObserved at 5:19 AM - Best BuyNew
In stock
$999.99Free shippingObserved at 5:19 AM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
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$779.97Free shippingObserved at 5:19 AM
Also available at
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Boost MobileCheck price at Boost Mobile
- Mint MobileCheck price at Mint Mobile
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
- WalmartNew
In stockSold by Reebelo
$978.19Free shippingObserved at 5:19 AM - eBayNew
In stock
$1,245.00Free shippingObserved at 5:19 AM - techbuddyllcNew
In stock
$1,399.00Free shippingObserved at 5:19 AM - Abed TahanNew
In stock
$1,415.00Observed at 5:19 AM
Also available at
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
Specs compared
| Spec | Apple iPhone Air | Apple iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS | iOS |
| Carrier | T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk, Unlocked | T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Boost Mobile, Straight… |
| SIM Support | Dual SIM | Dual SIM |
| Connector Type | USB C | USB C |
| Cellular Network | GSM, CDMA | GSM |
| Color | Light Gold | Blue, Silver, Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange, Deep Mi… |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Security | Facial Recognition | Facial Recognition |
| With Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| With OLED Display | Yes |
What reviewers say
Apple iPhone Air
Owners rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 5,000 ratings, with most praise going to the thin, light build and the smooth 120Hz display. Complaints center on battery life under heavy use and the eSIM-only setup.
- Feels far lighter than other large iPhones
- Display is bright outdoors and smooth when scrolling
- A19 Pro handles games and editing without slowdown
- Titanium frame and Ceramic Shield feel durable
- Battery drains faster with gaming and hotspot use
- eSIM-only activation frustrates some carriers and travelers
- Only two rear lenses limits zoom flexibility
- Price feels high for a non-Pro model
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Reception is limited so far, with a single 5-out-of-5 rating on record. Early buyer feedback highlights smooth delivery and setup rather than long-term use.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for photos?
- The iPhone 17 Pro, because it adds a telephoto lens to the wide and ultra wide cameras. The Air has a 48MP Fusion system with 2x optical-quality zoom but no separate telephoto.
- Is the iPhone Air worth it over the 17 Pro?
- Yes if thinness and price matter most: it is $699.97 at Walmart as of November 4, 2026, about $278 less. The 17 Pro is worth the extra if you want the bigger screen, telephoto and longer battery.
- Which has the bigger screen?
- The iPhone 17 Pro at 6.9 inches versus 6.5 inches on the Air. The Air is easier to hold one-handed because it is thinner and lighter.
- Which lasts longer on a charge?
- The iPhone 17 Pro. The Air is rated for up to 27 hours of video playback, and the Pro goes longer.
- Can I use a physical SIM?
- Only on the iPhone 17 Pro, which takes nano SIM and eSIM. The iPhone Air is eSIM only.
- Do both have the same chip?
- Yes, both use the A19 Pro. The difference is in screen size, cameras, battery and SIM support, not raw chip power.