iPhone Air For those getting the air

[happyslayer]

Gonna give my current 16 Plus to my mother; her old 12 has a cracked screen and seems to be dropping calls more frequently lately. I'm ordering the blue Air. For what I actually do with my phone--email, texts, calls, browsing the web and social media--the Air should be plenty. And it looks cool and is also lighter. Win win.

 

[Mindfighter]

The “reason” their giving on the return to Aluminum from Titanium on this years Pro Max is aluminum runs cooler. Making the Air out of Titanium sounds suspicious.

The Air only has a titanium frame (so heat dissipation is through the ceramic shield) vs the pro which is a huge slab of aluminium.

 

[James6s]

Space black 🤩

 

[aperfectcircle]

Upgrading from a 14PM and was sold on the Sky Blue Air immediately during the keynote. I had been leaning that way already, but wasn’t sure if the Air would have a ProMotion display - something I would not give up in an upgrade. The inclusion of the A19 Pro and 12GB RAM bolsters the appeal.

I’ve had the 12PM in Pacific Blue and 14PM in Deep Purple, after the X in silver and XS in gold. All four devices looked and felt premium. The stainless steel is my favourite of the metals that Apple has used on the iPhone, nicer than titanium and vastly superior to aluminium in my opinion. If the 17 Pro hadn’t changed to aluminium and it didn’t have that hideous back design and awful colour choices, I’d be on the fence, but leaning to the Air.

I am okay with the battery, even if I have to regularly do a charge during the day. Whilst I’d like two cameras like the base 17, I have a Nikon Z6II for serious photos so the single camera doesn’t bother me so much. I’ll miss cinematic video, however. The one thing that I’m not looking forward to is the single speaker - only for FaceTime, though - so I’ll just have to see how it performs and hope it’s loud enough.

I don’t game on my phone nor do I do anything that requires sustained pushing of the CPU or GPU. Any limitations on the A19 Pro, whether purely from the hardware design or deliberate from Apple, won’t likely impact me.

 

[ofarlig]

I don’t make money from my pictures and they will work great for memories even if I can’t zoom in and see the pores on people in the background.

I also get two days easily out of my 16 PM so reducing the battery to the Air level should still easily give me a full day.

So that means carrying the PM over the Air means carrying unnecessary weight and heft, so that’s why I’m getting the Air.

 

[darkpaw]

I was going to get the Sky Blue iPhone Air, but then I realised the differences between the Air and the new 17 Pros:

iPhone Air​	iPhone 17 Pro​	iPhone 17 Pro Max​
5-core GPU	6-core GPU	6-core GPU
27 hours video playback	31 hours video playback	37 hours video playback
Camera: 48MP Fusion Main	48MP Fusion Main, 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, 48MP Fusion Telephoto	48MP Fusion Main, 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, 48MP Fusion Telephoto
No macro photography	Macro photography	Macro photography
Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps	Dolby Vision up to 4K at 120 fps	Dolby Vision up to 4K at 120 fps
No ProRAW	ProRAW	ProRAW
Zoom: 1x, 2x	0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x	0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x
USB-C, supports USB 2 speeds (480Mbps)	USB-C, supports USB 3 speeds (10Gbps)	USB-C, supports USB 3 speeds (10Gbps)
MagSafe wireless charging up to 20W	MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W	MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W

For me, the camera is a downgrade (from my iPhone 15 Pro Max). I need the zoom options, and I love the macro photography. I cancelled my pre-order, and I'm not getting the 17 Pro Max either. I'll likely just replace the battery and live with this for another year.

 

[aohus]

debating between cloud white iphone air or silver iphone 17 pro max.

tired of heavy phones. lack of macro and mono speaker is a downgrade that may be a dealbreaker for me. i don't mind the battery life.

i don't game, and my phone never gets warm. i am an avid video consumption power user though, but i also don't mind the smaller size of the air compared to the pro max.

if i decide on the air i will be putting a transparent clear wrap around it and pay for apple care. the phone is meant to be daily driven without a case imo.

if the mono speaker still sounds good i may just get the air over the pro max and use it for a year until the foldable comes out. if the foldable is delayed until 2027 then i would want the 17 pro max now

i also don't see the air being updated every year, hence why its called iphone air and not 17 air

 

[stocklen]

I stopped using cases for the iPhone a couple of years ago when I realised they are resilient enough if you take a small amount of care handling it - only a screen protector is necessary in my opinion as I never trust Apple's claims on scratch resistance... It has its own pocket without keys or coins...

But for me the white is the best option purely down to the practicalities of being caseless and fingerprints. The white back shows zero fingerprints on the frosted back and the silver sides need a quick wipe if getting covered so it looks better and stands up to being case-less better.

 

[JPack]

i also don't see the air being updated every year, hence why its called iphone air and not 17 air

Kuo’s prediction is Air gets launched annually alongside the premium iPhones in 2026 and 2027.

Air probably doesn’t have number because it will not follow iPhone 17/18/19 technologies. Rather, the single camera will stay and 5.6mm or thinner is a locked requirement. The 17e 18e will pick up stale parts and features as needed meaning it can go thicker.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

After looking on the internet as best I could, it appears the blue Air is very, very light blue that almost looks white. It appears to be lighter in color than the front of my blue M4 iMac. If I have to struggle to see the blue, that is too light for me. I set up a preorder just now for the black model. I am going to use it naked on the frame but, use a screen protector. I wouldn't like scratches on my screen. Putting a case on it really defeats most of the purpose of getting the Air in the first place, in my opinion.

Back when I looked at the 13 Mini after an SE OG, I was all set for the midnight. It unfortunately had a blue sheen I just couldn't like. Next to this was their blue that I absolutely have to had, and had since.

Bought Apple's silicone cases of that colour and an Apple clear case to show the Blue off. What a disappointment, it was slippery, showed fingerprints severely and had a lower exposed cut out. I ended buying the Otterbox clear case that still showed of the entire colour but also had a teal non slip surround.

Rereading your comment I guess you mean that the bulk of the case defeats the purpose of its thinness.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Gold, no question. I was sad they got rid of the shiny gold rails with the 15 Pro and 16 Pro move to titanium. Seeing how the polished titanium Apple watch was shiny, I hoped they would do that same polished titanium on an iPhone, in gold. And now they've done exactly what I hoped for.

 

[Joseph C]

I’m going with cloud white.

I’m choosing the Air over the Pro Max because I’m tired of the weight of the Pro Max. The Air reminds me of a Pro-lite device which is what I’ve been looking for. It has the A19 Pro, 12GB ram, always on display, and weighs less than the Pro Max. I don’t really take photos so I’m not going to miss out there.

I don’t understand the hate for the Air. If you don’t want a thinner, lighter device then you can choose between the 17 or the 17 Pro/Pro Max.

Totally agree. I think a lot of people are sleeping on the Air and have written it off prematurely.

It's the nicest iPhone since iPhone X (possibly even nicer) and it's the most 'Steve Jobs' like phone we've had in a very long time. But it doesn't lose most of the best stuff - ProMotion, the new upgraded front camera, Always On, all day battery.

I'm definitely getting it. The battery is the same as iPhone 16 Pro, and if you carry around the MagSafe battery which is small enough to fit in any old pocket, you can always snap it on when low and the battery then becomes better than a 17 Pro Max.

And the camera is the same 48MP sensor from the Pro phones that most people use, with 2x - you just lose the other two.

My dilemma is colour. I'm thinking of Cloud White to really go back to the old 'iPod nano' days. Matches the MagSafe battery and likely the silver titanium will show the fewest scratches. But then again, the black is verrrryyy stealthy too?

How do people think the polished titanium black sides will hold out to scratches? Will they easily show the natural colour underneath? I never use cases.

 

[James6s]

Totally agree. I think a lot of people are sleeping on the Air and have written it off prematurely.

It's the nicest iPhone since iPhone X (possibly even nicer) and it's the most 'Steve Jobs' like phone we've had in a very long time. But it doesn't lose most of the best stuff - ProMotion, the new upgraded front camera, Always On, all day battery.

I'm definitely getting it. The battery is the same as iPhone 16 Pro, and if you carry around the MagSafe battery which is small enough to fit in any old pocket, you can always snap it on when low and the battery then becomes better than a 17 Pro Max.

And the camera is the same 48MP sensor from the Pro phones that most people use, with 2x - you just lose the other two.

My dilemma is colour. I'm thinking of Cloud White to really go back to the old 'iPod nano' days. Matches the MagSafe battery and likely the silver titanium will show the fewest scratches. But then again, the black is verrrryyy stealthy too?

How do people think the polished titanium black sides will hold out to scratches? Will they easily show the natural colour underneath? I never use cases.

I think the Air is one of the best looking iPhones ever. I love black iPhones for there premium and stealthy look. The Space Black Air looks gorgeous.

Apple are saying it’s more durable than any previous iPhone with the titanium frame and latest gen Ceramic Shield. I imagine the polished titanium will be durable and be resistant to scratches and mark etc (it is their first mirror finish titanium) so we’ll see!

3x more scratch resistant and 4x more crack resistant for the front and back glass. This is really designed to be used caseless.

They even show in the video of it dropping and bouncing lol

 

[valinda]

I ordered the Blue. The reason for picking the Air is because of the way it looks, and it being a lighter phone.

 

[valinda]

debating between cloud white iphone air or silver iphone 17 pro max.

tired of heavy phones. lack of macro and mono speaker is a downgrade that may be a dealbreaker for me. i don't mind the battery life.

i don't game, and my phone never gets warm. i am an avid video consumption power user though, but i also don't mind the smaller size of the air compared to the pro max.

if i decide on the air i will be putting a transparent clear wrap around it and pay for apple care. the phone is meant to be daily driven without a case imo.

if the mono speaker still sounds good i may just get the air over the pro max and use it for a year until the foldable comes out. if the foldable is delayed until 2027 then i would want the 17 pro max now

i also don't see the air being updated every year, hence why its called iphone air and not 17 air

Transparent clear wrap. Where do you get that from.

 

[teh_hunterer]

The battery is the same as iPhone 16 Pro, and if you carry around the MagSafe battery which is small enough to fit in any old pocket, you can always snap it on when low and the battery then becomes better than a 17 Pro Max.

Most people are laughing at this MagSafe battery but I think I get it. If you don't need thick large phone battery 95% of the time, why carry around a thick large phone 95% of the time? You can carry around a sleek phone 95% of the time, and when you do need that extra battery life you can just snap that battery on there for that 5% scenario.

How do people think the polished titanium black sides will hold out to scratches? Will they easily show the natural colour underneath? I never use cases.

If the titanium Apple Watch is anything to go by, they simply won't scratch. I've worn mine every day since it launched and it doesn't have a mark on it. The coating is very scratch resistant.

 

[Joseph C]

I think the Air is one of the best looking iPhones ever. I love black iPhones for there premium and stealthy look. The Space Black Air looks gorgeous.

Apple are saying it’s more durable than any previous iPhone with the titanium frame and latest gen Ceramic Shield. I imagine the polished titanium will be durable and be resistant to scratches and mark etc (it is their first mirror finish titanium) so we’ll see!

3x more scratch resistant and 4x more crack resistant for the front and back glass. This is really designed to be used caseless.

They even show in the video of it dropping and bouncing lol


View attachment 2546561

View attachment 2546560View attachment 2546564

Most people are laughing at this MagSafe battery but I think I get it. If you don't need thick large phone battery 95% of the time, why carry around a thick large phone 95% of the time? You can carry around a sleek phone 95% of the time, and when you do need that extra battery life you can just snap that battery on there for that 5% scenario.



If the titanium Apple Watch is anything to go by, they simply won't scratch. I've worn mine every day since it launched and it doesn't have a mark on it. The coating is very scratch resistant.

Good posts!

Do Apple polish the titanium on the watches?

I had a black titanium iPhone 16 Pro briefly and it did scuff on the edge in one place, showing natural/silverish underneath.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Good posts!

Do Apple polish the titanium on the watches?

I had a black titanium iPhone 16 Pro briefly and it did scuff on the edge in one place, showing natural/silverish underneath.

Yeah they polish and coat it with some sort of PVD coating that in my experience holds up extremely well.

My silver stainless steel series 7 Apple Watch was covered in micro scratches within 6 months. The polished titanium series 10 is even a year on totally blemish free.

 

[James6s]

Good posts!

Do Apple polish the titanium on the watches?

I had a black titanium iPhone 16 Pro briefly and it did scuff on the edge in one place, showing natural/silverish underneath.

Thanks!

Not sure about the polished watches, but the previous titanium iPhones have been a matte finish, as you know can scuff and reveal the unpainted colour underneath.

Will have to wait and see the durability of the Air’s polished finish.

 

[4sallypat]

Most people are laughing at this MagSafe battery but I think I get it. If you don't need thick large phone battery 95% of the time, why carry around a thick large phone 95% of the time? You can carry around a sleek phone 95% of the time, and when you do need that extra battery life you can just snap that battery on there for that 5% scenario.



If the titanium Apple Watch is anything to go by, they simply won't scratch. I've worn mine every day since it launched and it doesn't have a mark on it. The coating is very scratch resistant.

I love the Magsafe battery made for the Air!

I ordered it the same time as the 17 Air.

It's not that much thicker and correctly stated that I won't use it much at all.

If the battery lasts as long as a full day Apple stated, then I am going to probably end up using it for my other magsafe devices.

 

[vvvvvv]

I love the Magsafe battery made for the Air!

I ordered it the same time as the 17 Air.

It's not that much thicker and correctly stated that I won't use it much at all.

If the battery lasts as long as a full day Apple stated, then I am going to probably end up using it for my other magsafe devices.
View attachment 2546581

If I go with the Air, I'll likely grab one as well. $100 is kind of insane, though... matches the price gap between the Air and the Pro, and supposedly matches the battery life of the Pro.

The Apple marketing machine knows what they're doing, and it works.

 

[topgunn]

If the battery lasts as long as a full day Apple stated, then I am going to probably end up using it for my other magsafe devices.

From what I understand, this external battery can ONLY be used with the iPhone Air.

 

[4sallypat]

From what I understand, this external battery can ONLY be used with the iPhone Air.

Can it be used to charge USB-C devices ?

 

[vvvvvv]

From what I understand, this external battery can ONLY be used with the iPhone Air.

Correct, Dave2D (I think) uploaded a video trying to use it on other phones, only fits the Air and its single-camera 'plateau.' (I can't even take myself seriously calling it that)

 

[4sallypat]

If I go with the Air, I'll likely grab one as well. $100 is kind of insane, though... matches the price gap between the Air and the Pro, and supposedly matches the battery life of the Pro.

The Apple marketing machine knows what they're doing, and it works.

Will be interesting to see if it can also charge other USB-C devices (bidirectional) port ?