Early September brought Apple's usual yearly iPhone introductions. Amidst the usual hoopla, I believe Apple's engineers, product designers, and marketers have made some fundamental changes in how they think about different iPhone models.
The chart above compares all six currently sold models by weight versus screen size. First, note the now growing weight separation between the current iPhone Pro models and the base 16 and 17. Also, note how close the same generation and screen size are with the 16 and entry-level 16e. Finally, note that Apple (as with MacBooks) has established a different weight model with the new Air.
The most significant change for 2025 is the all-new iPhone Air. Apple—by their standards—has struggled for half a decade to add a fourth successful iPhone model. Their first attempt was with the iPhone 12 mini in 2020. The mini lasted for two generations before giving way to the Plus in 2022. The Plus proceeded for three generations and now gives way to the Air.
The Air is technically interesting. It is the thinnest iPhone ever, and is very light for a smartphone with a 6.5-inch screen.
Here's the question, though: let's assume that possible Air purchasers are also considering the 17 ($200 less) and the 17 Pro ($100 more). Is the Air's 7% weight difference (just over the Weber fraction) enough to separate the Air, or will folks save the $200 (17) or go for the power and features of the 17 Pro?
We'll likely know for sure in about six months, but early indicators suggest that the Air is not selling very well. The percentages may change a little, but the rank order from most to least popular in North America is currently this:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Air
I believe that Apple substantially underestimated the belief of potential iPhone 17 Air purchasers that they need more than one camera on the back—even if that camera is rated at 48 megapixels. One also wonders why they made the screen so large, as screen size is a weight driver. Obvious reasons are industrial design and room for an acceptable battery size. If Apple had gone with a 6.1-inch display for the Air, they likely could have gotten the weight down to about 5.4 ounces—but perhaps they were concerned that it would look too similar to the 16 and 16e that remain available.
Purchasing advice
I find it amusing when someone asks me if a particular new iPhone is any good. In 2025, excellence is expected in any first-tier smartphone, whether from Apple, Samsung, or others.
Of course, we're long past the point where most folks replace their iPhone with every version. Realistically, the bulk of potential purchasers are upgrading from the iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 generations.
What they'll find are phones that are larger and heavier than the ones they currently have. Compared to the iPhone 15, the iPhone 17 has a slightly larger screen and adds ProMotion technology with higher refresh rates. Additional features over the iPhone 14 include four times the camera resolution, the availability of the clever Dynamic Island, and the move from the Lightning connector to USB-C. Of course, the iPhone 17 generation has substantially more processing power than either the iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 era.
All of that said, I believe that most purchasers will be well served by the "base" iPhone 17. The definition of base seems different in 2025—it includes a 6.3-inch display with ProMotion technology, a minimum storage capacity of 256 GB, and a dual-lens rear camera rated at 48 megapixels.
Users who want the top-of-the-line and are willing to pay for it, the Pro and Pro Max remain solid choices. Users who edged into the Pro three or four years ago should understand that the separation between a base iPhone and a Pro has widened. I wouldn't call a 17 Pro clunky, but it is 10% heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro.
For users who want an iPhone that isn't remotely clunky, the Air fits the bill. It is the most notably stylish iPhone design since the iPhone X in 2017, and—if you don't put too thick a case on it—it stands out.
John Mulhern III, posted October 27, 2025
For most information on Apple's iPhones, visit:
