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they could have released a mini screen phone with the same internals as the air. very easily.

Your “very easily” is a phantasy, simply due to the lack of a physical space and a heat dissipation issues to start with. At least Air has enough space for the new “tight” battery, but this too at the expense of a physical SIM card slot (even in China).

Besides, as we have established on these forums before, the mini market is very vocal, but tiny. Not geeky people want the largest possible screen for the lowest price. Hence a 6.1 SE model (sizing up from 4.7”) and iPhone 17 growing to 6.3”.
 
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Your “very easily” is a phantasy, simply due to the lack of a physical space and a heat dissipation issues to start with. At least Air has enough space for the new “tight” battery, but this too at the expense of a physical SIM card slot (even in China).

Besides, as we have established on these forums before, the mini market is very vocal, but tiny. Not geeky people want the largest possible screen for the lowest price. Hence a 6.1 SE model (sizing up from 4.7”) and iPhone 17 growing to 6.3”.

I think it would be nice to have an affordable mini phone which they update every couple of years for that market though. It would sell
 
I think it would be nice to have an affordable mini phone which they update every couple of years for that market though. It would sell

Problem with an affordable phone like the Mini was is that it has to sell a lot more than an expensive device just because of Apple making less per sale.
 
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Two perceived advantages I could find for iPhone Air vs regular iPhone 17 is 12 GB vs 8 GB of RAM, respectively, and a new design factor. Otherwise the Air camera setup is worse (no macros and no spatial photos) and the battery life is not so good. I don’t think the SOC difference (A19 vs A19 Pro) will be so noticeable in real life for most people. So Apple probably hope the “cool” factor to drive Air sales.

I thought I saw in the specs that the regular 17 has macro photography. I could be mixing them all up in my head.
 
To replace the SE maybe, but give it a mid tier price?

I don't understand it personally as the hardware seems weak, its a thin iPhone nobody asked for, and even Apple recommend using a MagSafe battery accessory to give it decent battery life. A weird one but people seem interested in it.
Apple did not recommend Air users use the MagSafe battery due to the Air having bad battery ability. Apple simply showed a new accessory available for the Air. The last time Apple released the pack, people complained that it wasn't big enough and took too long to provide a charge. And a lot of the criticism (as usual) came from Pro model people who wanted extra battery life ability without having to worry about charging.

Whether or not the Air battery is inadequate, is relative to each user. Some users will find to that they need a little more battery (or charging during the day) than they realized from current phone use, while others will find the battery more than ample for their needs.

Obviously, the Air is not for everyone just like the Pro Max model is not for everyone. I think the main problem we have on MR is that the Pro and Pro Max users are very quick to denigrate the Air by comparing it to their Pro and Pro Max models. The Air isn't meant to be a substitute for someone who regularly uses the majority of the camera features on a regular basis not to mention someone who spends most of their internet time on the phone. For some reason, many people today also complain about the lack of battery life when they readily have access throughout the day to an outlet. They just want to be lazy and not charge their phone.

As usual, I think many users will get the wrong impression about what is really the best phone for them, because the Pro and Pro Max users are so biased with their posts, instead of being objective.

1) Having a single speaker doesn't make the Air a bad phone.
2) Having the same battery as the 16 pro doesn't make the Air battery inferior or compromised
3) Having a USB 2 port doesn't make the Air bad a bad phone

If someone needs stereo speakers with a larger battery because they live on their phone and basically use the phone as their computer, then the Air might not be for them. However, the only real way to know is to actually try the Air over several days and see whether it meets the needs of the respective buyer or not.
 
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Just read that the Air only has a single speaker, not stereo. Will be very interested to hear what that sounds like, you'd think Apple would have found a way to improve the audio quality but that is asking a lot.
 
You won’t miss your three cameras? 🤔
Nope - never use them.
I only use the camera for basic point and shoot (like the old instamatic) infrequently.

My wife who uses all the camera features asked me why I have a Pro phone and never use the Pro features. I stood there stunned and made up an excuse to say I needed AOD. 😂
 
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Actually I do attracted to to iPhone Air than iPhone 17, pro or max. I not a camera , video person so all long I get myself the base iPhone. When I saw the iPhone Air , than Apple intro the new magsafe battery Only for this phone. I feel is a Match indeed. As you don't need to worry about battery life. The problem is Apple never stated how many mAh this new magsafe which Only cater for iPhone Air is. Or jus 1k++ extra mAh? The default iPhone 17 is 3k+ mAH , if this new MagSafe is 1k+ mAh add with origin iPhone Air battery which is 2k+ that is about 3k+ which means just like base iPhone 17 battery which is 3k+. If you guys know what I mean? Thus I curious how much mAH this new Magsafe is.
 
I have a hard time believing it will get same '27 hour video playback' contrived benchmark battery life as iPhone 16 Plus.

Because on paper, iPhone 16 pro and 16 plus also have same matching '27 hour video playback' but in my experience 16 plus was significantly, night and day better.

But I guess we'll see. I would prefer to be wrong.
 
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Just read that the Air only has a single speaker, not stereo. Will be very interested to hear what that sounds like, you'd think Apple would have found a way to improve the audio quality but that is asking a lot.
yeah, i also shock is not stereo but I not say particular. I not sure should get the iPhone Air + the magsafe. I want to know the magsafe is how many mAh. I suspect just 1k+ since is thin. Or I maybe just wait next year see how the next version of iPhone Air like or " might not have " come back the Plus series. If you see this year lineup. Don't have iPhone 17 plus instead is Air.
 
......
Obviously, the Air is not for everyone just like the Pro Max model is not for everyone. I think the main problem we have on MR is that the Pro and Pro Max users are very quick to denigrate the Air by comparing it to their Pro and Pro Max models. The Air isn't meant to be a substitute for someone who regularly uses the majority of the camera features on a regular basis not to mention someone who spends most of their internet time on the phone. For some reason, many people today also complain about the lack of battery life when they readily have access throughout the day to an outlet. They just want to be lazy and not charge their phone.

As usual, I think many users will get the wrong impression about what is really the best phone for them, because the Pro and Pro Max users are so biased with their posts, instead of being objective.

1) Having a single speaker doesn't make the Air a bad phone.
2) Having the same battery as the 16 pro doesn't make the Air battery inferior or compromised
3) Having a USB 2 port doesn't make the Air bad a bad phone


If someone needs stereo speakers with a larger battery because they live on their phone and basically use the phone as their computer, then the Air might not be for them. However, the only real way to know is to actually try the Air over several days and see whether it meets the needs of the respective buyer or not.
❤️‍🔥Very well stated and appreciated.

You are 100% correct - Air is not for everyone.

For someone like me, who loved the 14 Plus but needed AOD got the 16 Pro - it got me the feature, but not at the expense of weight and less battery life.

17 Air is perfect for me as I don't use the Pro features, never listen to music, don't need 3 camera lenses (I use it as a Instamatic point & shoot), USB2 port is more than I need, battery will be all day, larger display like my 14+, AOD, and most importantly: satellite messaging when I fly or out in the wilderness.
 
I don’t really understand why it exists? Kind of a middle ground between 17 and 17 Pro? Instead of the 17 plus I guess? I just don’t get it.
IMO, Apple designers have been obsessed with thinness on their phones for as long as I can remember. Just the next step in the madness.

One has to chuckle at their "make it the thinnest phone we've ever made, then sell them an overpriced battery pack to make the thing usable" marketing plan.
 
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IMO, Apple designers have been obsessed with thinness on their phones for as long as I can remember. Just the next step in the madness.

One has to chuckle at their "make it the thinnest phone we've ever made, then sell them an overpriced battery pack to make the thing usable" marketing plan.
I purchased the new battery pack to keep in my daily travel bag. I doubt I will really need it given ny day to day use practices (outside of home power failure or being in a bad cell spot) but, I like to be prepared as best I can. In the past, I did the same and ended up not needing them outside of 2 times.
 
It’s another way to milk money from people who don't need a new phone.
Admittedly, I don't need a new phone. My 16PM is still in like new condition with a very low cycle count but, I liked what I saw with the Air. If it turns out I don't like the Air with real day to day usage, I am going to be getting another phone (orange) I don't really need because I really like the color.
 
Apple did not recommend Air users use the MagSafe battery due to the Air having bad battery ability. Apple simply showed a new accessory available for the Air. The last time Apple released the pack, people complained that it wasn't big enough and took too long to provide a charge. And a lot of the criticism (as usual) came from Pro model people who wanted extra battery life ability without having to worry about charging.

Whether or not the Air battery is inadequate, is relative to each user. Some users will find to that they need a little more battery (or charging during the day) than they realized from current phone use, while others will find the battery more than ample for their needs.

Obviously, the Air is not for everyone just like the Pro Max model is not for everyone. I think the main problem we have on MR is that the Pro and Pro Max users are very quick to denigrate the Air by comparing it to their Pro and Pro Max models. The Air isn't meant to be a substitute for someone who regularly uses the majority of the camera features on a regular basis not to mention someone who spends most of their internet time on the phone. For some reason, many people today also complain about the lack of battery life when they readily have access throughout the day to an outlet. They just want to be lazy and not charge their phone.

As usual, I think many users will get the wrong impression about what is really the best phone for them, because the Pro and Pro Max users are so biased with their posts, instead of being objective.

1) Having a single speaker doesn't make the Air a bad phone.
2) Having the same battery as the 16 pro doesn't make the Air battery inferior or compromised
3) Having a USB 2 port doesn't make the Air bad a bad phone

If someone needs stereo speakers with a larger battery because they live on their phone and basically use the phone as their computer, then the Air might not be for them. However, the only real way to know is to actually try the Air over several days and see whether it meets the needs of the respective buyer or not.
I only comment from my impressions from what I watched last night and it felt like Apple were offering the battery accessory as a fall back option in case the battery isn't good enough, but thats just what I took away from it. You took away something else entirely.

I might be a Pro Max user, but I am not biased in favour of it. I've always been very critical of it, especially as I feel it is grossly overpriced for what it is. I tend to promote the standard iPhones to people I know and this year I think they are the best deal going, now that Promotion is included. You're right though, the Air is not for me. It's too expensive based on the specs for me and if I was upgrading this year, I'd get the Pro Max (not the Orange, yuck) as I make the best use of the camera's and I don't want a really thin phone as I'd likely end up bending it. I am simply a casual observer this year as I have no need to upgrade and can share my observations and opinions like anybody else, cheers.
 
I was expecting a really thin device, not just 2mm less than my iPhone 16.
This is the thing that I don’t understand. What do you mean “not JUST 2mm less”

The 2.2mm difference is literally removing 1/3rd of your iPhone 16 how I genuinely don’t know if they could go any thinner and it is a massive difference in how it feels in your hand.
 
it is a massive difference in how it feels in your hand.
100%.

I’m really sick of the weight of my 16PM. I don’t use the cameras like I thought i would, I use AirPods when consuming media so the extra speaker is neither here nor there.

I’m never that far away from a charger, so the reduction in battery life means nothing to me.

For me personally, I place great value on the ~60gm weight and profile reduction the air offers, whilst still maintaining a similar screen size to the 16PM.

So, the only question now is blue or gold.. 🤔
 
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