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The Pro Max prioritizes the camera and battery life at the expense of weight and size.

The Air prioritizes lightness and compactness, possibly at the expense of the camera and battery.

So it really just comes down to what you want to prioritize, which one suits you better.

Personally, I’ve gone with the regular iPhone model even though some of the Pro features are tempting. The reason is simple: I find the Pro (Max) way too heavy. That’s why the Air is a really interesting model for people who want that premium feel but don’t need a “Hollywood-level” camera or a massive battery.

By the way, get ready for some backlash if you like the Air. There’s already a noticeable number of people on the forums, apparently Pro Max users, who seem annoyed by the Air’s very existence. A typical comment is, “I don’t see who this phone is for.” In other words, because they don’t find it useful, no one should. Their needs are the only reasonable ones, and no alternatives are necessary.
I'm guessing the Pro Max users are worried that the Air will do well and thus Apple might start moving in that direction for more phone models.
 
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Yup, absolutely! If I can get over the lost convenience of the additional lenses. Not that it matters; I probably won’t replace my phone for another three years or so. Lots of time for things to come and go and be replaced by the past…
 
Not a chance.

I won't go for lighter weight at the expense of giving up more important (to me) things - mainly battery life, durability, and camera features. The weight of an iPhone Pro/Pro Max doesn't bother me in the least, even with a case. I have never once felt that my iPhone was too heavy.
 
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I'm worried about the single camera. The minimum focusing distances of the main camera has gotten worse as its sensor has gotten bigger, and the ultrawide has done the close focusing and macro. Is the Air really not going to even have a macro mode? Seems like a significant capability to give up. I do love the idea of the 6.6" screen - seems like a perfect goldilocks size in that regard between the regular phones and the Maxes.
 
Absolutely no chance!

And I genuinely don’t see who this phone is for either. I have a feeling it will go the way of the mini and not sell well.
I actually believe it will be simpler. Think how well the iPad Air sells versus Pro. I read once that 97% of all photos on iPhone are taken with the main camera. I think one camera makes it simpler. For me, the ultimate would have been to eliminate the notch/dynamic island and use a fingerprint sensor on the button on right. Every time I want to use my iPhone I have to touch that anyways. Additionally, I think Apple will sell a lot of them. However, it will depend on the overall experience. What I don’t understand is there are many markets that don’t use eSIM at all like China, so how will they sell it there? That’s a big missed opportunity. I think by generation 2, we will have a much better iPhone Air with better battery technology. I think they can’t use that silicon carbon battery technology yet due to inability to make enough. But by generation 2, they will upgrade that and get it on par with the Pro models. I would guess that was the original idea, but couldn’t source enough in time. I like simplicity and the in between size of the Pro and Pro Max is a feature to me. I use my iPad Pro more and my iPhone less now. So for me, the iPhone Air makes a lot of sense. I guess we will see how they do with the implementation, but I think most users who want bigger but don’t care about three cameras will go with the iPhone Air and save some money. I also think it’s time for Apple to make 256GB standard on these. If the SoC is the same, but you get a smaller display going with Pro or standard model, the iPhone Air makes even more sense. Assuming people want that. So execution is the answer here. And while I believe year one will have stellar sales, if they execute poorly, it will further damage their reputation and goodwill with customers. I mean Tim’s team has destroyed the Siri brand then they really damaged the Apple brand by calling their AI Apple Intelligence. Had they just called it Siri intelligence they could have rebranded later when they knew they could execute. This is all part of not having a CEO and executive team in charge of software that know what they’re doing. Time to bring back Scott Forestall. But if I was him, I would go golfing daily and sit on my $200m golden parachute anyways.
 
The same people said similar things about the 16e (which they also never bothered trying firsthand) - fast forward to a month or two post-release and every youtube video on it is called "I was wrong, it's good"
I think the biggest problem reviewers had with the iPhone 16e was the lack of MagSafe which is a head scratcher. I mean Apple invented the tech and sells so many accessories that work with MagSafe. Other than that, if one can deal with the notch it’s a great value.
 
I get the sense based on the rumors that the Air will appeal to more casual users who are more interested in style than tech - the people who don’t care whether they are zooming digitally or optically
 
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I actually believe it will be simpler. Think how well the iPad Air sells versus Pro. I read once that 97% of all photos on iPhone are taken with the main camera. I think one camera makes it simpler. For me, the ultimate would have been to eliminate the notch/dynamic island and use a fingerprint sensor on the button on right. Every time I want to use my iPhone I have to touch that anyways. Additionally, I think Apple will sell a lot of them. However, it will depend on the overall experience. What I don’t understand is there are many markets that don’t use eSIM at all like China, so how will they sell it there? That’s a big missed opportunity. I think by generation 2, we will have a much better iPhone Air with better battery technology. I think they can’t use that silicon carbon battery technology yet due to inability to make enough. But by generation 2, they will upgrade that and get it on par with the Pro models. I would guess that was the original idea, but couldn’t source enough in time. I like simplicity and the in between size of the Pro and Pro Max is a feature to me. I use my iPad Pro more and my iPhone less now. So for me, the iPhone Air makes a lot of sense. I guess we will see how they do with the implementation, but I think most users who want bigger but don’t care about three cameras will go with the iPhone Air and save some money. I also think it’s time for Apple to make 256GB standard on these. If the SoC is the same, but you get a smaller display going with Pro or standard model, the iPhone Air makes even more sense. Assuming people want that. So execution is the answer here. And while I believe year one will have stellar sales, if they execute poorly, it will further damage their reputation and goodwill with customers. I mean Tim’s team has destroyed the Siri brand then they really damaged the Apple brand by calling their AI Apple Intelligence. Had they just called it Siri intelligence they could have rebranded later when they knew they could execute. This is all part of not having a CEO and executive team in charge of software that know what they’re doing. Time to bring back Scott Forestall. But if I was him, I would go golfing daily and sit on my $200m golden parachute anyways.

Excellent post, thank you.

I have a feeling that Apple are going to overprice this phone substantially.

And I still stand by what I said, I don’t see who the phone is for no matter the faux outrage or how much it “hurts” certain people’s feelings on here. I base MY OPINION on what *I* believe at the moment: the reduced spec and presumably high price.

However, if it is priced to reflect the reduced spec, i.e. a much lower entry point, then yes it would make a lot of sense for many users. And as I said originally, I hope anyone that gets this phone really enjoys it.
 
The best way to look at this will be to consider how much better it is than the iPhone it replaces, as opposed to how it compares to the flagship Pro models. Most complaints will come for Pro users who wanted to save some money and didn’t get the checkboxes of their requirements filled. Apple is going to upsell to the Pro at all times, until a newer flagship model emerges in the future. It is going to be a compromised iPhone in several areas, but it will also be the most hand friendly big iPhone  has ever made. I am keeping an even keel on expectations for this, but at the same time I am excited to see how it plays out. Not going to be a year one beta tester and will sit back and let the Macrumors brethren parlay their experiences with it. Going case-less with my 14 Pro Max has changed my perceptions of what I am looking for in the future. I cannot wait to handle the Air. I think that will be its strongest selling point.
 
I get the sense based on the rumors that the Air will appeal to more casual users who are more interested in style than tech - the people who don’t care whether they are zooming digitally or optically
And that’s why I won’t be getting one. I don’t get the appeal. Who is it even for?
 
Right now it’s at the top of my list. It’ll depend on specs, but honestly, the 16e takes great pics, and I assume this will be comparable to that at least.

I’m most excited about the size/weight. I like that it’s between the pro and pro max screen size, and the weight should be fantastic.

We’ll see though. It’s either that or I’m likely going back to a regular pro from the max unless the weights drop significantly.
 
It’s the heavily rumoured 2,800 Mh battery that just killed my interest in it, to replace my 15 Pro. All the other specs are good enough for me even a single lens camera.

So it’s either 17 Pro for me, or new battery on my 15 Pro and possibly get a Galaxy Z Flip 7 (hehe).
 
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I am considering the move. I don't use the fancy camera a lot with my 16PM. A lot of the decision will come down to battery. I am not a heavy phone user. If I met the right Apple girl that would change. :D I didn't really have any battery issues when I had the 13 mini. If the Air ends up having a smaller battery than the mini, we might have a problem because I am not going to buy a battery case just so I can use the Air in normal situation use.
 
And that’s why I won’t be getting one. I don’t get the appeal. Who is it even for?
Well I do know people who barely know how to take a picture or they buy the iPhone with the lowest storage and say they don’t have space for photos. They really just text and email. I wouldn’t want one because I take a ton of pictures and want the larger battery. But not everyone is like me. (Thank goodness 🤭)
 
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no MagSafe…

Taking all this with a grain of salt, as the phone is still unannounced, but according to MR:

Apple's iPhone 17 models could support the next-generation Qi 2.2 wireless charging standard. Qi 2.2 allows for wireless charging at up to 50W. MagSafe cables that support Qi 2.2 have been spotted in regulatory filings, but that doesn't mean Apple will support the maximum 50W charging.
Also
The iPhone 17 Air will include MagSafe charging, a Camera Control button, and an Action Button, based on dummy models of the device that have been circulating.

So (if true) that would be a yes to MagSafe.
 
Excellent post, thank you.

I have a feeling that Apple are going to overprice this phone substantially.

And I still stand by what I said, I don’t see who the phone is for no matter the faux outrage or how much it “hurts” certain people’s feelings on here. I base MY OPINION on what *I* believe at the moment: the reduced spec and presumably high price.

However, if it is priced to reflect the reduced spec, i.e. a much lower entry point, then yes it would make a lot of sense for many users. And as I said originally, I hope anyone that gets this phone really enjoys it.
Yeah. If they price it more than the Pro, it’s a non starter in my opinion. I guess I just assume that if it’s replacing the plus it will be just $899. If it costs as much as a Pro, it’s going to be a tough sell. Agree.
 
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Absolutely no chance!

And I genuinely don’t see who this phone is for either. I have a feeling it will go the way of the mini and not sell well.

Ironically, if they'd made a smaller version of the Air, I would have been interested (as a current Mini user)

😂

That aside, I think there will be a lot of buyers simply because it's finally something different.
 
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I’m excited to check it out but I’ll just have finished paying my 15 Pro Max off after Tuesday so I’m keeping this for another while.
 
And that’s why I won’t be getting one. I don’t get the appeal. Who is it even for?

The post you quoted and replied to had the answer you are asking for.

"...more casual users who are more interested in style than tech - the people who don’t care whether they are zooming digitally or optically"
 
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It will sell well, but I won’t replace my 13 PM with a future Air model unless it can match the battery and camera(mostly if not the same). I replace my phone every 6-7 years, so probably replace with iPhone 19 or 20 PM or may be consider Air if it is close.
 
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