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As much as I ADORE the Air, it's just not worth $1000+ for most. The amount of features and hardware you sacrifice, for the sake of ~30% less depth and weight, is too much imo.

The Air is BY FAR the most gorgeous and exciting iPhone, and perhaps Apple product in general, since the X but the camera system, speaker and battery life (particularly when using the camera) all leave quite a bit to be desired in my personal experience with it over the past couple weeks.
Is it worth if for free(ish)? I traded in an iphone 13 I paid $100 for and got the Air after bill credits for no cost, so ultimately 180 after the cost of the 13 and taxes. I don't jump around between providers so that part isn't a consideration for me.
 
I would think the main disadvantage of the Air is how quickly the battery will wear out. Using full or almost full battery cycles everyday will shorten the life of the battery compared to a larger battery which uses less of a full cycle everyday.
 
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im actually tempted to return my air for the PM but not for reasons you may think. the Pro phones get better cell signal due to the antenna, like an extra 2 bars worth of signal from people ive been talking to about it

I think you are the only one with this particular problem 🤷‍♂️
 
I encourage you to try both Pro models for at least a day or two: you will be shocked how the smaller Pro this year actually feels heavier than the Max. It only looks lighter on paper, but it’s way more condensed on the inside and it just feels off compared to the bigger one. The Max is more spread out and it feels more comfortable in my hand. I have relatively long fingers. The smaller pro is way too heavy for such a small footprint. This year I thought I would consider downsizing, but after 2 days with the smaller Pro, it’s going back. I’m keeping the 17PM.

I haven't had a Pro Max, but I can attest to the Pro just feeling... unwieldy? bulky? "Heavy" might not be the best word b/c we're talking about phones and relatively subtle differences in weight. But there is something about it - it feels like I could chunk it at someone's head and knock them out. ;)

I ended up switching to the standard 17. The weight wasn't the reason why; ultimately it was paying 38% more for a feature I rarely need (zoom) and modestly better battery life (while still needing to charge daily). But man, the difference in feel between the two is significant - the standard 17 just feels lighter and more balanced overall. I think kirk.vino is right - they've got that 17P packed so tight... I could see how someone who considers that an important factor could find the 17P "unwieldy".
 
Is it worth if for free(ish)? I traded in an iphone 13 I paid $100 for and got the Air after bill credits for no cost, so ultimately 180 after the cost of the 13 and taxes. I don't jump around between providers so that part isn't a consideration for me.
Oh definitely! It’s a wonderful device. But make sure you’re prepared to live with the sacrifices to get to that thinness.
 
Cells phones aren’t heavy. Bag phones were heavy.
No this was heavy - my first portable cellular phone on the Western Los Angeles phone system where we had to go thru an operator:
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I was going to get an iPhone Pro to compliment my Air but can’t imagine going back to a heavy phone. I already sold my IPhone 11 spare phone and sold my IPhone 17 as felt i never needed two flagship. I decided I don’t need the extra zoom or cameras. Anyway I had store credit from cancelling the Pro and had to replace my IPhone 11 I sold. I went for the IPhone 16e. Is the 16e a good choice? iPhone 16 was my main phone last year. The 16e will be a spare.

Like I say that larger screen and slimmer is why I like the Air. The Pro seems a bit boring as does the standard 17 model. Anybody else struggled to choose this year?
The i7 Pros' three "fusion" camera system really is a substantially improved camera system for all. The only reasons anyone who does any iPhone photography should not buy the Pro iPhones would be because of cost, or because the thin/light/cutesy of the iPhone Air is much more important than image capture to them. [which is fine, YMMV to all]
 
The 17 Pro Max and Pro weigh 6-7 grams more than last year.

Zero chance anyone could tell the different in a blind test. I don't agree the Pro feels heavier and more unwieldy than the Pro Max, but I can't discount someone's opinions and feelings about that. The Max feels way more bulky in the pocket this year than the 16 pro max. The added weight and significant thickness added with a case on top of it was too much for me.
 
The 17 Pro Max and Pro weigh 6-7 grams more than last year.

Zero chance anyone could tell the different in a blind test. I don't agree the Pro feels heavier and more unwieldy than the Pro Max, but I can't discount someone's opinions and feelings about that. The Max feels way more bulky in the pocket this year than the 16 pro max. The added weight and significant thickness added with a case on top of it was too much for me.
I do not use cases. And IMO the 17 Pro Max does not feel "way more bulky in the pocket this year than the 16 Pro Max." In fact I opine the opposite. IMO the 17 PM feels less bulky in-pocket and more comfortable in hand than the 16 PM did, probably because of the rounded edges. This from someone who considers the 16 PM to be a superb phone.
 
I think the AIR is really a wonderful design. I agree with the poster that said it might not be worth the price. The AIR, specwise is a worse phone than last years 16. I could maybe deal with the speaker and battery drawbacks. I think the lack of flexibility in the camera is a tough compromise.
 
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This is ridiculous imo. The pro and pro max are not too heavy. My problem with the Air is that it’s a gimped phone that diminishes the experience. I’m sure it’s fine for some, but in no way, shape or form does it compare to the pro models. I personally believe it’s the worst phone in this year’s lineup and I’m surprised Apple put its name on it. It’s one of the worst smartphones on the market.
Couldn’t agree less. Are cameras important? Yes, if you’re a pro photographer or filmmaker. Otherwise, this is the kind of hardware we haven’t seen from Apple since X.
 
If I really stop and think about it the 17PM does feel a bit heavier than my 15PM but I don’t notice it in day to day use or in my pocket. Love the upgraded cameras, screen size, and battery. My iPhone is my main computer, I rarely touch my M4 MBP.

On Monday, I held an Air for a moment at an Apple store. I immediately set it back down because it felt like a toy. But I knew it wouldn’t be for me from the moment the rumors started. Each to their own but I can’t imagine Apple will sell many of them. The regular 17 is better for the vast majority and the Pro is better if you use the extra lenses.
 
The i7 Pros' three "fusion" camera system really is a substantially improved camera system for all. The only reasons anyone who does any iPhone photography should not buy the Pro iPhones would be because of cost, or because the thin/light/cutesy of the iPhone Air is much more important than image capture to them. [which is fine, YMMV to all]

Some of us who prefer the thin/light/cutesy Air use a real camera for pictures! ;) Phone sensors, no matter how much improved, are still tiny and struggle with low-light. Plus, the fake portrait mode still has flaws!
 
Some of us who prefer the thin/light/cutesy Air use a real camera for pictures! ;) Phone sensors, no matter how much improved, are still tiny and struggle with low-light. Plus, the fake portrait mode still has flaws!

True, though it must be said, the main camera on the 17 and the Air is actually quite good.

I straight up preferred the photos I took on my Air compared to my 15PM. I guess there's something going on in the colour science or photo pipeline that's just doing a better job than previous years.
 
I was going to get an iPhone Pro to compliment my Air but can’t imagine going back to a heavy phone. I already sold my IPhone 11 spare phone and sold my IPhone 17 as felt i never needed two flagship. I decided I don’t need the extra zoom or cameras. Anyway I had store credit from cancelling the Pro and had to replace my IPhone 11 I sold. I went for the IPhone 16e. Is the 16e a good choice? iPhone 16 was my main phone last year. The 16e will be a spare.

Like I say that larger screen and slimmer is why I like the Air. The Pro seems a bit boring as does the standard 17 model. Anybody else struggled to choose this year?
A wise decision - keep the Air and dump the new Pros, which are only marginally better than previous phones, use aluminum (the poor man's titanium) and are the ugliest phones Apple has ever made.
 
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Some people like having two phones. Whether it be for professional or personal reasons, it's a rather common thing.
I have a personal phone and a work issued phone too. The question sounded like the OP was getting another iPhone to 'compliment' the other, like when someone buys a yellow cushion to put on a grey sofa.

Does anybody 'like' having 2 phones? Its usually a big inconvenience that we begrudgingly accept from our employers.
 
I have a personal phone and a work issued phone too. The question sounded like the OP was getting another iPhone to 'compliment' the other, like when someone buys a yellow cushion to put on a grey sofa.

Does anybody 'like' having 2 phones? Its usually a big inconvenience that we begrudgingly accept from our employers.
I don’t, but don’t have that issue anyway - both my work and personal numbers are in the same phone.
 
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I was going to get an iPhone Pro to compliment my Air but can’t imagine going back to a heavy phone. I already sold my IPhone 11 spare phone and sold my IPhone 17 as felt i never needed two flagship. I decided I don’t need the extra zoom or cameras. Anyway I had store credit from cancelling the Pro and had to replace my IPhone 11 I sold. I went for the IPhone 16e. Is the 16e a good choice? iPhone 16 was my main phone last year. The 16e will be a spare.

Like I say that larger screen and slimmer is why I like the Air. The Pro seems a bit boring as does the standard 17 model. Anybody else struggled to choose this year?
Wait, what? How many phones now? 😂

I'm skipping this year and am waiting for the iBook mini. Or however it's going to be called 😅
 
Couldn’t agree less. Are cameras important? Yes, if you’re a pro photographer or filmmaker. Otherwise, this is the kind of hardware we haven’t seen from Apple since X.
Agreed = fantastic new design, form factor, and innovative engineering!

Air is NOT a Pro - it was never designed to be a Pro.

Why all the haters from the Pro crowd is mind blowing.

I love my Air because I don't need any Pro features - never used them in my work 14PM and 16 Pro I traded in.

Air is a cellphone - not a high end photo camera nor a stereo soundblaster.

If I want great photo / videos, I'd pull out my Canon DSLR with prime and Pro lenses.

If I wanted great lossless audio, I'd play them on my Mac Studio Max with class A amplifiers.

Best to get the correct tools for the job.
 
I think the AIR is really a wonderful design. I agree with the poster that said it might not be worth the price. The AIR, specwise is a worse phone than last years 16. I could maybe deal with the speaker and battery drawbacks. I think the lack of flexibility in the camera is a tough compromise.
I feel like I am living in dreamland the iPhone Air has a great camera, much better then my 14 PM's super unreliable camera system. Everyone keeps talking about the cameras like the Air has a garbage camera, its not its extremely sharp and clear. Sure it doesn't have an ultrawide lens but the ultrawide shots were never great to begin with it was a massive hit in detail.
 
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