Apple’s iPhone range is more diverse than it has ever been. The latest models include the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, each characterized by unique designs, sizes, colors, battery capabilities, and camera features.
The iPhone 17 has emerged as a popular option for numerous consumers, featuring a 120Hz display, enhanced battery performance, and an initial storage capacity of 256GB. The iPhone Air utilizes the same chip and display dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro, yet it offers just one rear camera.
For a lot of prospective purchasers, the choice will be influenced by the camera systems. Apple has marketed the iPhone Air’s single camera as adaptable, but how does it stack up against other iPhones or top contenders like the Google Pixel 10 Pro? Is the iPhone 17’s camera system on par with the Pro variants, or does it falter in other aspects?
Let’s take a look at some images to answer these queries.
Camera showdown: Daylight
Left to right: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air. In bright light, at full resolution, the distinctions among the three devices are minimal.
All three cameras produce clear daylight images with true-to-life colors. Boost the megapixel count to 48 for greater detail, but only under ideal lighting circumstances.
TL:DR: A three-way draw.
Camera showdown: Zoom
Left to right: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air. When not zooming in, the pictures are quite alike across the devices.
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max include a telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom, a feature absent in the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. Nonetheless, all three models can zoom (even past 2x) by cropping the larger 48-megapixel image.
Left to right: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air. The Pro Max provides superior detail and clarity compared to the digital zoom on the other models. The iPhone Air frequently outshines the iPhone 17.
Images without a dedicated telephoto lens cannot achieve the level of detail found in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, especially at 8x magnification. The iPhone Air consistently yields slightly better outcomes than the iPhone 17, indicating a more capable main camera.
TL;DR: The iPhone 17 Pro Max excels in this department, as anticipated. Interestingly, the iPhone Air surpasses the iPhone 17.
Camera showdown: Ultra-wide
Left: iPhone 17 Pro Max, Right: iPhone 17. The iPhone Air does not have an ultra-wide option.
Only the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 are equipped with ultra-wide cameras; the iPhone Air cannot zoom out beyond 1x. The ultra-wide shots taken with the iPhone 17 and Pro Max are less sharp than those from the main camera, so utilize it moderately. It is beneficial for capturing large groups in spite of the quality compromise.
TL;DR: The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max offer competent but not outstanding ultra-wide cameras; the Air lacks this capability.
Camera showdown: Low light
Left to right: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air. All three devices captured this nighttime scene beautifully, with the iPhone Air providing the most precise colors.
Performance in low light is vital to assess whether the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air can hold their own against the Pro Max’s primary camera. Night photos were akin across the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
TL;DR: All three models delivered similar low-light photo quality.
Camera showdown: Macro
Left to right: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air. The photos from the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro Max are nearly indistinguishable. The iPhone Air lacks detail in macro shots.
This evaluation might be unfair to the iPhone Air, which does not support a macro mode. However, it underscores the advantages of the other two devices in macro photography.
The iPhone 17 and Pro Max automatically transition to macro mode for close shots, capturing vibrant, detailed images. The close-ups on the iPhone Air are fuzzy, so using 2x zoom…