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iPhone Air Do you still love the iPhone Air?

Zondar said:
To answer my own question after a little research: No, the Air's camera is not the same as the Pro's. Neither is the lens, which focuses a little closer (though no macro abilities) but may have more abberations. Also, the fake background blur (which I never use) is extra-fake, since there's only one lens and thus everything has to be done unaided in software. So both are technically slightly worse in ways, though probably unnoticeably so unless you pixel-peep both.
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It’s not the same as the Pro, but it is the same as the standard 17. 26mm, f/1.6, and 1/1.56”. Portrait mode might be worse on the Air though (don’t have a 17 to compare to, only an Air), since it lacks the other lens. I don’t ever use that anyways.
 
I currently have an iPhone 17 Pro Max. Since the release of the Max models, I have always gone that route. But, lately, I have been thinking that a lightweight model, and one that you can use one handed, would be beneficial. For me, a rollback to my BlackBerry Curve and BOLD days!

Thus, I came to the threads to read about the iPhone Air, before taking the plunge. But, mygoodness, some individuals can be so negative to something they don't "like". UGH!
 
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circatee said:
I currently have an iPhone 17 Pro Max. Since the release of the Max models, I have always gone that route. But, lately, I have been thinking that a lightweight model, and one that you can use one handed, would be beneficial. For me, a rollback to my BlackBerry Curve and BOLD days!

Thus, I came to the threads to read about the iPhone Air, before taking the plunge. But, mygoodness, some individuals can be so negative to something they don't "like". UGH!
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You saw this sort of "hate" directed towards both the 12 mini and 13 mini as well due to "poor battery life" yet those who have primarily used these devices loved having a one handed iPhone experience that both the 12 mini and 13 mini provided. The Air having the worse battery performance of the new 17 series iPhones, for me, has not been an issue the entire time I have owned and used it.

I also have the 17 Pro and going between either as well as my 15 Pro and Pro Max, from the user's perspective I am seeing no difference using iOS 26.5 on either of these iPhones from a daily use perspective. Of course there are particulars between the devices that will be different but overall using these devices have not been an issue for my use case.
 
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awshucks said:
It’s not the same as the Pro, but it is the same as the standard 17. 26mm, f/1.6, and 1/1.56”. Portrait mode might be worse on the Air though (don’t have a 17 to compare to, only an Air), since it lacks the other lens. I don’t ever use that anyways.
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It's been answered, but yes, the Air camera is ever-so-slightly worse than the Main lens on the 17 Pro and Pro Max. Identical to the 17.

17 Pro is f/1.78 (vs f/1.6 in Air), and 24mm focal length (vs 26mm in Air).

It's really only in low-light that you'll see a slightly worse image given sensor is smaller. I came from a 15PM, and really haven't been disappointed at all in any of my pics, or Portrait pics. I have missed the 4x (was 5x on 15PM!) telephoto zoom on a few occasions.
 
Zondar said:
What is wrong with me!? I have a 15 Pro Max, which is more than great, but I still want an Air.

The Air is totally wrong for me, as I appreciate and use the 3 cameras of the Pro all the time. And I've never had anything other than black phones, but I like the Air in white. White!? Again, something's wrong here!

At least there's one factor in favor of the air: I barely use my phone for anything but navigation, texting and photos, so the battery life wouldn't bother me. Still...

Please stop me before I make the greatest single mistake of my ENTIRE LIFE and get an Air! 😂

Oh, and one question: Is the camera in the Air the exact same as the main camera in the 17 pro's, or is it a down-grade from that? Thanks.
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I've always had black iPhones as well, and coming from a 15PM to a new Air (white) I have to say that I'm extremely pleased with the change. I gifted that 15 PM to my wife and the difference in the hand is enough to reinforce my decision to go with the lighter/slimmer/more elegant Air. The Air's single speaker is a non-issue for me as is the battery life. I find that my time between recharges is about the same as I experienced with my 15PM, usually 2 days on an 80% limit. The single camera will be the only real sacrifice experienced coming from a Pro model, particularly for images taken during yearly visits to Asia. Luckily I can grab the 15PM then from my wife.
 
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I see people claiming iPhone Air is the best iPhone ever made. I would go further. I would claim iPhone Air is the best consumer electronics product ever made. Compare it to any other product in history - iPod, iPad, Mac, Walkman - iPhone Air stands up against all of them. I’ve never been more satisfied with a device or used a device more due to the frictionless experience of picking it up and using it for just about anything. Reading, texting, shopping, paying, navigating, working - it’s all a pleasure on the Air.
 
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From a day to day use case for me, I rarely take photos. And, at this point, the camera conversation is my only hesitation for switching from an iPhone 17 Pro Max, to an iPhone Air.

Sods law would have it, as soon as I switched, I'd start taking more photos. 🤦‍♂️

Alas, my internal debate over switching continues...
 
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Macdctr said:
You saw this sort of "hate" directed towards both the 12 mini and 13 mini as well due to "poor battery life" yet those who have primarily used these devices loved having a one handed iPhone experience that both the 12 mini and 13 mini provided. The Air having the worse battery performance of the new 17 series iPhones, for me, has not been an issue the entire time I have owned and used it.

I also have the 17 Pro and going between either as well as my 15 Pro and Pro Max, from the user's perspective I am seeing no difference using iOS 26.5 on either of these iPhones from a daily use perspective. Of course there are particulars between the devices that will be different but overall using these devices have not been an issue for my use case.
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I think the Air would have gotten a much better reception in the broader sense if it was launched with the price it has now (£699), which is effectively its justified price point in the current range based on its feature-set.
 
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Zaft said:
I would say the only annoying this is some apps are not optimized for the iPhone Air.

Some apps are close or cut into the Dynamic Island since it’s a tad lower.
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This is interesting...if developers are using safe area insets it should adapt automatically. I didn't realize that the bar was lower, I'll have to check our apps at work and see if its a dev bug or an Apple bug (we use safe area insets to avoid the bar unless our apps require full screen.)
 
Zondar said:
To answer my own question after a little research: No, the Air's camera is not the same as the Pro's. Neither is the lens, which focuses a little closer (though no macro abilities) but may have more abberations. Also, the fake background blur (which I never use) is extra-fake, since there's only one lens and thus everything has to be done unaided in software. So both are technically slightly worse in ways, though probably unnoticeably so unless you pixel-peep both.
Click to expand...
Once people upload these photos to social media it all gets compressed anyway.
 
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chrono1081 said:
This is interesting...if developers are using safe area insets it should adapt automatically. I didn't realize that the bar was lower, I'll have to check our apps at work and see if its a dev bug or an Apple bug (we use safe area insets to avoid the bar unless our apps require full screen.)
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Since my initial post, the apps have basically been optimized now.

The one that sticks out currently is Reddit. The search bar goes into the Dynamic Island.
 
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Simmias said:
I see people claiming iPhone Air is the best iPhone ever made. I would go further. I would claim iPhone Air is the best consumer electronics product ever made. Compare it to any other product in history - iPod, iPad, Mac, Walkman - iPhone Air stands up against all of them. I’ve never been more satisfied with a device or used a device more due to the frictionless experience of picking it up and using it for just about anything. Reading, texting, shopping, paying, navigating, working - it’s all a pleasure on the Air.
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I disagree. This is the best consumer electronics product ever.
1775050932568.png



April Fools!
The iPhone Air is my favorite iPhone I have ever had. But, my absolute favorite consumer electronics product has to be the PowerBook G4 17" (The one I have for reference is the 2003 1.33 model).
 
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The-Real-Deal82 said:
I think the Air would have gotten a much better reception in the broader sense if it was launched with the price it has now (£699), which is effectively its justified price point in the current range based on its feature-set.
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Over here in the US pricing for the 256GB Air starts at $999. No changes in pricing over here otherwise I would be getting a sealed one to put in my iPhone collection😊
 
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Still love my caseless air. Everyone who uses it is surprised by the thinness and lightness of it. Then they comment I’m so adventurous to not use a case.

Then I tell them about the amex phone coverage.
 
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kellen said:
Still love my caseless air. Everyone who uses it is surprised by the thinness and lightness of it. Then they comment I’m so adventurous to not use a case.

Then I tell them about the amex phone coverage.
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My credit card also says it covered damage but no screen repair… odd.
 
The-Real-Deal82 said:
I think the Air would have gotten a much better reception in the broader sense if it was launched with the price it has now (£699), which is effectively its justified price point in the current range based on its feature-set.
Click to expand...

That’s not correct. The iPhone Air is £999 in the UK, it hasn’t changed.
 
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[shields up] [1 person opinion] Finally saw the Air live, the shiny chrome looks cheap, the relatively thick camera bump screams goiter, but if u love it, don't listen to me.
 
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