iPhone Air The Air just feels great to use, all the hate is so forced.

[ZipZap]

If it turns out the Air is only a one or two generation phone, then that’s an even more fun reason for me to have one now. I would have loved that I got the chance to use Apple’s incredibly sleek, thin and light phone while it was available.

If it does go the way of the mini and the Plus, at least it’s a breath of fresh “air” now (ha ha), and I can just go back to a Pro whenever.

its one half of the upcoming iPhone fold

 

[ZipZap]

I am not going to buy a phone with just one mono speaker in 2025, whether it is Apple's new experiment or not. The first phone with stereo speakers appeared on the market in 2005, the LG VX-9800, 20 years ago. This Air is just days old; no one really knows how it will perform in the next 2-3 months, or how many Airs have been returned to date.

Of course, Apple won't own up, but will likely start discussing a foldable phone in due time, which is also an old standard today.

Just letting you know I love the Air having dropped down from a 16PM. Yes, we get it your use case does not fit. To bad for you.

 

[kulan]

its one half of the upcoming iPhone fold

Yeah, could be true but personally I’m not interested in a folding phone. I’d much rather just have a plain slab phone that’s super sleek and always comfortable to use.

 

[bill-p]

No, it is not that "Now people get a single 48MP sensor and they're thinking "it's not enough", which is comical to me." People just think paying +$200 for one speaker instead of two "is not enough."

You're not speaking for those who say they are finding the camera lacking.

 

[Thor_9]

Yeah, could be true but personally I’m not interested in a folding phone. I’d much rather just have a plain slab phone that’s super sleek and always comfortable to use.

17 PM already exists. Lots of power, big screen and weighs almost nothing.

 

[kulan]

I posted to give you a wake up call. I see you aren't open to that. Carry on.

Let’s be real though, I feel great about the phone and I’m just sharing that, I’m really not worried about what others think of the Air. Maybe just a little concerned about why some, not all, have a huge superiority complex for not getting one or opting for a Pro.

 

[ctbear]

Let’s be real though, I feel great about the phone and I’m just sharing that, I’m really not worried about what others think of the Air. Maybe just a little concerned about why some, not all, have a huge superiority complex for not getting one or opting for a Pro.

You really don’t see the irony in your post? This is an Internet forum. People share why it does or doesn’t work for them so other potential buyers can make their purchasing decision. What you are doing here is trying to gatekeep the negative comments because you don’t agree with them.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Loved the Air, gave it back.

Dammit it for not having ultra wide!

They should have just made it ultra wide and applied the same fake telephoto to a 0.5x lens instead of a 1x lens.

-

No way that "They should have just made it ultra wide and applied the same fake telephoto to a 0.5x lens instead of a 1x lens." That would have sub-optimized the camera focal length used the most. And every reviewer would rightly be saying that the Air has a lousy camera instead of rightly saying that the Air has a great camera but lacks ultra wide angle and telephoto.

Also note that Apple's claim of 200 mm tele at 35 mm equivalence is not " fake telephoto." Most importantly look at the tele image captures from the 17 Pro!

If you need ultra wide and macro save $200 and buy a base iPhone 17. Or pay $100 more and get the superb three-fusion-camera system of the 17 Pro.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I own the phone as well, as you can see in my signature, and it indeed does NOT last me an entire day. Barely lasts me till 5pm actually. And that's because in my line of work I film video quite often, and the Air can't keep up unfortunately.

No one in his/her right mind that "in my line of work film video quite often" should even remotely consider buying an Air.

 

[kulan]

You really don’t see the irony in your post? This is an Internet forum. People share why it does or doesn’t work for them so other potential buyers can make their purchasing decision. What you are doing here is trying to gatekeep the negative comments because you don’t agree with them.

For the hundredth time, there’s a difference between saying why it doesn’t work for you and having complete opposition to the idea of the phone, trying to rain on everyone’s parade who is sharing why they like it.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

You're not speaking for those who say they are finding the camera lacking.

Sorry, typo. Speaker should have said camera. Corrected now.

 

[ctbear]

For the hundredth time, there’s a difference between saying why it doesn’t work for you and having complete opposition to the idea of the phone, trying to rain on everyone’s parade who is sharing why they like it.

I guess you truly don’t see the irony. How unfortunate.

 

[Johannes Von Zerstorong]

I had a 17 Pro Max delivered on launch day, but it’s 2 weeks later and I had to return it because of the speaker noise issue when charging. That was a little too disappointing to keep the device. While I still think the Pro/Pro Max is the “best” iPhone you can buy, the Air just feels so much better to use.

I really wanted to like the Pro Max, because it is such a beast of a phone and I am ordinarily a spec chaser. Thermals, battery, cameras, performance, it was all top of the line. I would have kept it if it wasn’t for the speaker issue.

Of course this is subjective, but the Pro Max does not seem to be designed for use with one hand. I know some people can only use it with two hands. It’s doable, manageable, but not pleasant. I was often using it flat on a table and hunching over to face the display, almost like it was a mini tablet.

The design of the Pros this year was also pretty disappointing, for someone who has always appreciated the elegant, minimalist design of Apple products. I wouldn’t have wanted to use it without a case. Not because of “scratchgate” or “aluminum sucks” but the glass cutout on the back is really what bothered me. I wish they could have color matched the glass better on the Silver model or made the unibody in a different way.

The Air on the other hand is so sleek, the Space Black is so classy and this phone is just beautiful. I realized I really don’t need all the cameras and battery life on the Pro Max. All I do nowadays is text, call, email, and browse the web, barely taking photos here and there.

The Air is simply a little joy to use for this average use case. I don’t understand why so many people are trying to hate on this phone and point out every single one of its flaws over and over. I think this is actually a sign that Apple did something unique and new, which usually bothers people who are used to seeing more of the same.

There are just unreasonable people that just hate everything that Apple does and therefore they post these things so that maybe someone reading it might downgrade to the insecure Android devices. I have not had a problem with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, so maybe it was an isolated issue?

 

[bill-p]

Sorry, typo. Speaker should have said camera. Corrected now.

If you're trying to sing praises for base 17 camera, then I do agree it is the best value for cameras and for general features this year.

But whether it is the "best phone" depends on perspective.

Long story short, I guess casual users will try to use the multiple cameras a lot. But some like me own better cameras so our phones are just accessories to the other cameras. Whether there is 1 lens or multiple, we don't care. It's not a "compromise" but rather it's just a feature we don't use.

On the other hand, a bigger screen + lighter weight are things I actively experience every time I turn the phone on, so those extra "features" make the $200 worth it for me.

 

[blairh]

I heard all of the flaws and I really didn’t mind. But do you like hearing the same negativity over and over? Maybe you do, but I’m certainly going to embrace positivity over that.

I’d say I’m hardly defending the Air, rather I’m defending my choice to buy one and enjoy it and not have miserable people pop up to say it has a mono speaker for the millionth time. We already knew that.

I can only speak for myself, but I've gotten quite tired having a back and forth with people defending the mono speaker. I truly think there is absolutely no defense for it. You and others perhaps can live with it. But the idea of a mono earpiece speaker in 2025 is rather revolting.

With that established, I've basically given up bringing it up at this point because a lot of Air owners are going to overlook flaws to defend their new shiny toy. I've even had members try to make the case that speakers don't matter at all on an iPhone.

Eventually, you have to pick your battles on here and decide what is and is not worth your time. I personally could never accept a mono earpiece speaker. If you can, or others can, great.

But at the same time, I think way too many members are emotionally invested in their Airs, and they don't want to hear anything negative, which is just bizarre behavior. If a forum member is spamming a ton of threads talking down the Air, then yes, I'd stay that's really annoying and unnecessary. But if someone is chiming in here and there to discuss the clear cons of the Air, I don't see any issue with that. Those aren't haters. They are rational members. If anything, I find way too many Air owners in this forum are just way too sensitive to criticism of this device. Why? I have no idea. We are talking about iPhones, people.

 

[kulan]

I can only speak for myself, but I've gotten quite tired having a back and forth with people defending the mono speaker. I truly think there is absolutely no defense for it. You and others perhaps can live with it. But the idea of a mono earpiece speaker in 2025 is rather revolting.

With that established, I've basically given up bringing it up at this point because a lot of Air owners are going to overlook flaws to defend their new shiny toy. I've even had members try to make the case that speakers don't matter at all on an iPhone.

Eventually, you have to pick your battles on here and decide what is and is not worth your time. I personally could never accept a mono earpiece speaker. If you can, or others can, great.

But at the same time, I think way too many members are emotionally invested in their Airs, and they don't want to hear anything negative, which is just bizarre behavior. If a forum member is spamming a ton of threads talking down the Air, then yes, I'd stay that's really annoying and unnecessary. But if someone is chiming in here and there to discuss the clear cons of the Air, I don't see any issue with that. Those aren't haters. They are rational members. If anything, I find way too many Air owners in this forum are just way too sensitive to criticism of this device. Why? I have no idea. We are talking about iPhones, people.

I’m not defending it, I’m saying it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s mono or stereo. I have AirPods or a Bluetooth speaker I’d rather use for audio output anyway. Be revolted all you want, makes no difference to me.

You all keep saying we’re sensitive to criticism, but the whole time we’re saying, actually it’s cool, criticize it all you want, just control the urge to repeat yourselves ad nauseum and judge other people’s purchases as nonsensical. Makes me think some of you are sensitive to other people’s enjoyment and positivity.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

I’m not defending it, I’m saying it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s mono or stereo. I have AirPods or a Bluetooth speaker I’d rather use for audio output anyway. Be revolted all you want, makes no difference to me.

You all keep saying we’re sensitive to criticism, but the whole time we’re saying, actually it’s cool, criticize it all you want, just control the urge to repeat yourselves ad nauseum and judge other people’s purchases as nonsensical. Makes me think some of you are sensitive to other people’s enjoyment and positivity.

On another Post I started one of the repliers asked me specifically why I chose the Pro Max over the Air. I gave them my opinion of why I made my decision but repeated more than once for them to check it out for themselves and that the phone could work for them. A “Pro” Air person replied later saying how I was bad mouthing the Air and trying to get them to not get the Air. I’m like they asked for my opinion, was I supposed to lie.

 

[kulan]

On another Post I started one on the repliers asked me specifically why I chose the Pro Max over the Air. I gave them my opinion of why I made my decision but repeated more than once for them to check it out for themselves and that the phone could work for them. A “Pro” Air person replied later saying how I was bad mouthing the Air and trying to get them to not get the Air. I’m like they asked for my opinion, was I supposed to lie.

Yeah that’s weird. Definitely some of us Air people are probably acting butthurt.

 

[WeLikeVodka]

Flossy Carter posted his thoughts better than I could.

That iPhone 17 Air sounds like it kickstarts a new trend among smartphones. Until you realize it costs €1200 in Europe for the base model and offers you a first gen product with only one back camera, a mono speaker, and limited USB-C 2.0 functionality.

Because operating system choice is less important now imo, Android phones are always good competition. The Oppo Find X8 is like 40% of the price, Poco X7 Pro is about 30% of the price. it's not like Oppo and Xiaomi have the customer's interests in mind either, and don't switch to another brand if you like your iphone. Stay vigilant, don't buy into corporate propaganda and buy your phone according to your needs.

Apple seems to play their cards in accordance with Trump's tariffs. It's not the time to act like shareholders for big tech companies who pretended to be progressive until they didn't.

 

[blairh]

I’m not defending it, I’m saying it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s mono or stereo. I have AirPods or a Bluetooth speaker I’d rather use for audio output anyway. Be revolted all you want, makes no difference to me.

You all keep saying we’re sensitive to criticism, but the whole time we’re saying, actually it’s cool, criticize it all you want, just control the urge to repeat yourselves ad nauseum and judge other people’s purchases as nonsensical. Makes me think some of you are sensitive to other people’s enjoyment and positivity.

It’s revolting in general. If it doesn’t bother you, fine.

I don’t think most people here are reacting negatively to any Air owners positive feelings. And no, there are plenty of Air owners who are super sensitive in this forum. That’s a fact.

Honestly I don’t care at this point. I don’t think the Air will do well in year one. I’ve pointed out its flaws and so have may others. And going back and forth regarding said flaws has become exhausting already.

I’m excited for future Air models and I hope everyone enjoys theirs now. But I also think most of you Air owners need to chill out here and stop defending logical points. It’s a phone.

 

[kulan]

Flossy Carter posted his thoughts better than I could.

That iPhone 17 Air sounds like it kickstarts a new trend among smartphones. Until you realize it costs €1200 in Europe for the base model and offers you a first gen product with only one back camera, a mono speaker, and limited USB-C 2.0 functionality.

Because operating system choice is less important now imo, Android phones are always good competition. The Oppo Find X8 is like 40% of the price, Poco X7 Pro is about 30% of the price. it's not like Oppo and Xiaomi have the customer's interests in mind either, and don't switch to another brand if you like your iphone. Stay vigilant, don't buy into corporate propaganda and buy your phone according to your needs.

Apple seems to play their cards in accordance with Trump's tariffs. It's not the time to act like shareholders for big tech companies who pretended to be progressive until they didn't.

Okay, sure we can talk about the price-to-feature ratio for the millionth time.. Yes, it’s missing a few big things.

Maybe… just maybe… that’s the point though. Because the things that are missing make it lighter? And the point of the phone is to be light. Not feature packed. Not a value or budget phone. Not even meeting things we expect like stereo. Those things are non-essential to the point of this phone.

The point is weight, feel, design, thinness. A luxurious hand-feel with a pro chip.

Like how many times does it have to be spelled out?

 

[blairh]

Okay, sure we can talk about the price-to-feature ratio for the millionth time.. Yes, it’s missing a few big things.

Maybe… just maybe… that’s the point though. Because the things that are missing make it lighter? And the point of the phone is to be light. Not feature packed. Not a value or budget phone. Not even meeting things we expect like stereo. Those things are non-essential to the point of this phone.

The point is weight, feel, design, thinness. A luxurious hand-feel with a pro chip.

Like how many times does it have to be spelled out?

The S25 Edge has dual cameras, stereo speakers, and is essentially identical in depth and weight.

You cannot say it's missing those things because of thinness when it has already been achieved.

It's cool if an Air owner likes their phone. But can we not make excuses at the same time?

Accept the flaws but also don't excuse them.

 

[kulan]

The S25 Edge has dual cameras, stereo speakers, and is essentially identical in depth and weight.

You cannot say it's missing those things because of thinness when it has already been achieved.

It's cool if an Air owner likes their phone. But can we not make excuses at the same time?

Accept the flaws but also don't excuse them.

I’m really not going to compare this phone to a Samsung when I’ve been using an iPhone for the past 7 years. I’m not excusing anything, I’m spelling out the point of the phone, and why it has the feature set it has. That part seems to consistently go over the people's heads who criticize it to no end.

 

[blairh]

I’m really not going to compare this phone to a Samsung when I’ve been using an iPhone for the past 7 years. I’m not excusing anything, I’m spelling out the point of the phone, and why it has the feature set it has. That part seems to consistently go over the people's heads who criticize it to no end.

You say it’s missing things to stay thin. But we have seen Samsung not make those same sacrifices. Your personal usage is irrelevant. It’s a valid criticism of the Air in general.

 

[chmania]

The iPhone Air, Apple's newest experiment, has been out for just about two weeks, and that’s not enough time to assess how good or bad it is, or how long it will continue to sell, and how many might be returned. It is the only iPhone readily available with all carriers and most distributors today, which suggests it has not been a hit with consumers.