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iPhone Air iPhone Air versus iPhone 16 Pro
- Thread starter dlpro
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I did initially. Ended up going with the 17 pro. The Air is an amazing device and feels great in hand. I appreciated the slightly extra screen compared to the pro. Feels like you’re holding a piece of glass with a display. The 16/17 pro feel like bricks comparitively.
Ultimately I decided the speakers and camera were things life were things I needed to have. I also wanted the better battery of the 17 Pro. Another underrated feature is how much better my reception has been on the 17 Pro compared to the 16 Pro. Air was good. I’d put it in between the two.
Battery on the Air was similar to my 16 Pro after a year of use. Maybe slightly better. Phone didn’t get as hot to the touch since everything is up in the plateau.
Ultimately I decided the speakers and camera were things life were things I needed to have. I also wanted the better battery of the 17 Pro. Another underrated feature is how much better my reception has been on the 17 Pro compared to the 16 Pro. Air was good. I’d put it in between the two.
Battery on the Air was similar to my 16 Pro after a year of use. Maybe slightly better. Phone didn’t get as hot to the touch since everything is up in the plateau.
I think the word Pro is getting in the way of things. 😁 I genuinely adore the Air’s feel. Although it lacks certain lens features, taking pictures with the Air is significantly clearer compared to those on the 16 Pro. Other YouTube users have also noticed this. I’m hesitant to purchase the 17 Pro because it’s overkill for my needs.
Any other 16 Pro owners ambiguous about making the swap?
Any other 16 Pro owners ambiguous about making the swap?
I went from a 16 Pro to an Air and honestly I’m more happy with the Air than the 16 Pro. If you can live without the ultra wide camera and the extra zoom then it’s almost certainly worth it.
The air has a larger screen (feels larger than the measurements would suggest 6.3” vs 6.5”)
I’m getting the same or very similar battery life.
It’s lighter and significantly more comfortable to hold for long periods, the thinness and sleekness is next level.
Looks and feels more premium, must be the polished titanium frame.
The 16 Pro had a more feature packed camera system, but comparing the 1x with 3 focal lengths and the 2x, the results are better IMO. 5x digital zoom on the Air is comparable to the 5x telephoto camera on the 16 Pro unless your pinching right in to the details.
iOS 26 seems to be running better on the Air vs 16 Pro.
So far I’m loving it!
The air has a larger screen (feels larger than the measurements would suggest 6.3” vs 6.5”)
I’m getting the same or very similar battery life.
It’s lighter and significantly more comfortable to hold for long periods, the thinness and sleekness is next level.
Looks and feels more premium, must be the polished titanium frame.
The 16 Pro had a more feature packed camera system, but comparing the 1x with 3 focal lengths and the 2x, the results are better IMO. 5x digital zoom on the Air is comparable to the 5x telephoto camera on the 16 Pro unless your pinching right in to the details.
iOS 26 seems to be running better on the Air vs 16 Pro.
So far I’m loving it!
Can you elaborate on the reception differences you experienced between the 16 Pro and the 17 Pro please?
I’m trying out an Air going from a 16 PM. If it works out I’ll trade in the 16, if not I’ll keep it and return the Air.
I realise I don’t really take a lot of photos , so the camera isn’t bothering me.
I love this form factor so much. My phone is so much more comfortable to use and I can finally use an iPhone one handed again!
I had a working from home day yesterday and the battery lasted until around 10pm, doing surprisingly well.
Today I commuted into the office and after train delays spent time browsing and listening to podcasts. As I’m sat at my office desk some 2 hours later, I’m down to 63%.
I really want this to work because I don’t want to go back to a brick phone again. I have to be honest as it’s a £400 upgrade if I trade in.
Let’s see how the day fares, I will make a final decision by the weekend.
I realise I don’t really take a lot of photos , so the camera isn’t bothering me.
I love this form factor so much. My phone is so much more comfortable to use and I can finally use an iPhone one handed again!
I had a working from home day yesterday and the battery lasted until around 10pm, doing surprisingly well.
Today I commuted into the office and after train delays spent time browsing and listening to podcasts. As I’m sat at my office desk some 2 hours later, I’m down to 63%.
I really want this to work because I don’t want to go back to a brick phone again. I have to be honest as it’s a £400 upgrade if I trade in.
Let’s see how the day fares, I will make a final decision by the weekend.
As a 16 Pro owner my next phone will absolutely be an Air. Once I held and got to play with an Air in the Apple store last weekend and compared it to the rest of the 17 series there is no way I'm going back to the now "old fashioned" phones like the 17/17Pro.
Ok, 2pm and I’ve hit the 20% charge remaining warning. This isn’t going to make the duration of my work day.
You don't have access to electricity at your job for charging your phone? You said you work in an office.
I do , but I’m testing how far I get without relying on mid-day charging.
Vast majority of people simply point and shoot when taking pics. The air is more than capable of taking great pics and apple fine tuned this aspect of the camera for a reason.
If you know the Pro is overkill for your needs, why would you proceed with a purchase without first trying the Air and determining if the Air will work for you? Asking for feedback doesn't really help because everyone uses the phone differently and what works and is acceptable for any respondent here may not be for you.
Do you do any work, or just sit on your phone all day? Asking on behalf of your boss
Teams calls, pulling up documents , research, making notes etc.. iPhone isn’t just about games and social media.Do you do any work, or just sit on your phone all day? Asking on behalf of your boss
Simply put, I’m curious to hear how others feel about the Air compared to the 16 Pro. Of course, the decision is ultimately mine, but I’m enjoying the process. 😊
Just an update. I’ve decided to return the Air. I did love it so it pains me to do so. I’m going to stick with my 16 PM and just wait next year for that Fold. That’s the one I really want.