I got the iPhone Air on release day and I wanted to put my thoughts forward after a month of usage. The first thing to say is there is no right answer to this - it may be a phone for you or it may not be, both options are fine. But this could be useful for someone on the fence to decide to go for the Air or not. I did want to write this in some detail because it's a significant change of hardware in years.
Why iPhone Air?
I have always got what I considered the 'biggest and baddest' iPhone since the larger screen options were available from the iPhone 6. But in the recent few years the pro maxes have been feeling a bit too big for me. I realized (for me) the idea of a mobile phone is something easy to use especially on the move. I would have downsized to the pro model for sure this year if it wasn't for the Air. I also love thin and light devices. Also since the iPhone Air had most of the features from the pro, I decided to preorder and buy.
First Impressions and Feel
A month in, I am still constantly examining and admiring the air, checking the thinness and side profile. My other iphones (even the xs) feel noticeably thicker now. Only a handful of devices have had this effect for me over the years, e.g. my ultra thin laptop, oled tv, iPhone 4 and my Sony PSP from my childhood to name a few. You could probably tell I am a fan of product design and it matters to me - it may or may not for you.
The reaction from others is also quite telling. As soon as I pass the phone to someone who hasn’t felt it, there’s always a genuine pause. I don’t remember a phone doing that to people since the first iphones.
Now it's not just the thinness - it's the improved usability. The light and thinness has made the phone a lot easier to use one handed, especially over my pro max which feels like a brick now. I'm able to reach a lot more screen area. It actually feels like a product from the Steve Jobs era for the first time in years.
It's also much easier to use when I'm out and about. Taking the phone out through the day, when sitting or in tight public spaces, taking less space in my pocket (I don't use a case) - it's in those settings where it's made such a big difference for me. I would probably even prefer if they made an Air the same size as the pro.
iOS, Usability and Camera
The latest ios feels buttery smooth on the latest iphones. They’ve added lots of little touches which makes the non native apple apps feel a bit dated. And this is from someone who isn’t always impressed with a ‘new coat of paint’ type updates. I think is more impactful with the air as it really feels like a thin slab of liquid glass.
The screens really nice - I'm glad it's the same screen as the pro, the photos are also a noticeable improvement. The single camera is great and the photos from the reviews I've seen as well as my brother's 17 Pro, seem pretty much identical. The performance is great and that's expected as it's the same chip as the 17 pro (bar one gpu core which makes no difference to me).
Compromises
Second Camera
The single camera is great and as I said already pretty much identical to the other 17 models. The lack of the telephoto lens and macro photography is something I very rarely used. Sure it's a shame it's not there but it doesn't matter enough to me. I'm not a big picture taker and the standard 2x zoom on the air fits my needs.
Single Speaker
This was something that I noticed immediately the day I got it. It did bother me at first as I went from a pro max to a single speaker. However, after a month in, it's not something I notice any more. I would certainly prefer to get it back in a future air model but it’s no deal breaker.
Battery
This is without doubt the biggest issue that I've seen so far with the air. Going from a pro max large battery to the thin battery of the air has definitely been something I've felt. All the tests from reviews and my own usage points to me saying the battery life is good but not great. The reviews show it's about 10% less than the iPhone 17 so you can take that as you will.
I am a light-medium user. Whatsapp, Youtube, browsing, banking, snapchat, some social media, facetime, google maps etc. For my usage, I am getting through a whole day with a lot of on screen time so it's not a problem. Sure, in my pro max, I would come back home after a long day out and there would be plenty of battery life still. As I'm not a heavy user, this hasn't changed my usage. I can still do what I need to do and when I need to do it without needing a battery pack. Maybe I could describe it as acceptable battery life instead of good, but it's certainly not terrible or bad.
A concern could be in 1-2 years when the battery health goes down say 10% or so, capacity will be lower. A relative of mine recently sent his air back and got the pro max because he travels a lot and needs the battery - and that's absolutely fine and correct for him.
Concern about the future
There have been mixed articles about the air about it's future. I really hope Apple don't cancel this phone like other models. Air models have sold quite well in other Apple product lines and maybe their second generation of iPhone Air, with newer battery tech, second camera and second speaker means it attracts a lot more people.
I would be really disappointed if it was discontinued. This phone with it's form factor has actually made a difference to my experience of a mobile phone. It's practical to use, retains most of the pro features and feels great in the hand.
Would be interested to hear how other air users are getting on after a month.
Why iPhone Air?
I have always got what I considered the 'biggest and baddest' iPhone since the larger screen options were available from the iPhone 6. But in the recent few years the pro maxes have been feeling a bit too big for me. I realized (for me) the idea of a mobile phone is something easy to use especially on the move. I would have downsized to the pro model for sure this year if it wasn't for the Air. I also love thin and light devices. Also since the iPhone Air had most of the features from the pro, I decided to preorder and buy.
First Impressions and Feel
A month in, I am still constantly examining and admiring the air, checking the thinness and side profile. My other iphones (even the xs) feel noticeably thicker now. Only a handful of devices have had this effect for me over the years, e.g. my ultra thin laptop, oled tv, iPhone 4 and my Sony PSP from my childhood to name a few. You could probably tell I am a fan of product design and it matters to me - it may or may not for you.
The reaction from others is also quite telling. As soon as I pass the phone to someone who hasn’t felt it, there’s always a genuine pause. I don’t remember a phone doing that to people since the first iphones.
Now it's not just the thinness - it's the improved usability. The light and thinness has made the phone a lot easier to use one handed, especially over my pro max which feels like a brick now. I'm able to reach a lot more screen area. It actually feels like a product from the Steve Jobs era for the first time in years.
It's also much easier to use when I'm out and about. Taking the phone out through the day, when sitting or in tight public spaces, taking less space in my pocket (I don't use a case) - it's in those settings where it's made such a big difference for me. I would probably even prefer if they made an Air the same size as the pro.
iOS, Usability and Camera
The latest ios feels buttery smooth on the latest iphones. They’ve added lots of little touches which makes the non native apple apps feel a bit dated. And this is from someone who isn’t always impressed with a ‘new coat of paint’ type updates. I think is more impactful with the air as it really feels like a thin slab of liquid glass.
The screens really nice - I'm glad it's the same screen as the pro, the photos are also a noticeable improvement. The single camera is great and the photos from the reviews I've seen as well as my brother's 17 Pro, seem pretty much identical. The performance is great and that's expected as it's the same chip as the 17 pro (bar one gpu core which makes no difference to me).
Compromises
Second Camera
The single camera is great and as I said already pretty much identical to the other 17 models. The lack of the telephoto lens and macro photography is something I very rarely used. Sure it's a shame it's not there but it doesn't matter enough to me. I'm not a big picture taker and the standard 2x zoom on the air fits my needs.
Single Speaker
This was something that I noticed immediately the day I got it. It did bother me at first as I went from a pro max to a single speaker. However, after a month in, it's not something I notice any more. I would certainly prefer to get it back in a future air model but it’s no deal breaker.
Battery
This is without doubt the biggest issue that I've seen so far with the air. Going from a pro max large battery to the thin battery of the air has definitely been something I've felt. All the tests from reviews and my own usage points to me saying the battery life is good but not great. The reviews show it's about 10% less than the iPhone 17 so you can take that as you will.
I am a light-medium user. Whatsapp, Youtube, browsing, banking, snapchat, some social media, facetime, google maps etc. For my usage, I am getting through a whole day with a lot of on screen time so it's not a problem. Sure, in my pro max, I would come back home after a long day out and there would be plenty of battery life still. As I'm not a heavy user, this hasn't changed my usage. I can still do what I need to do and when I need to do it without needing a battery pack. Maybe I could describe it as acceptable battery life instead of good, but it's certainly not terrible or bad.
A concern could be in 1-2 years when the battery health goes down say 10% or so, capacity will be lower. A relative of mine recently sent his air back and got the pro max because he travels a lot and needs the battery - and that's absolutely fine and correct for him.
Concern about the future
There have been mixed articles about the air about it's future. I really hope Apple don't cancel this phone like other models. Air models have sold quite well in other Apple product lines and maybe their second generation of iPhone Air, with newer battery tech, second camera and second speaker means it attracts a lot more people.
I would be really disappointed if it was discontinued. This phone with it's form factor has actually made a difference to my experience of a mobile phone. It's practical to use, retains most of the pro features and feels great in the hand.
Would be interested to hear how other air users are getting on after a month.
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