iPhone Air For those getting the air

[mjpearce023]

Seems a lot of people are getting cases for their Air’s.

Is anybody planning to use it naked?

What about screen protectors?

Ive tried using my 15pro caseless a few times and its just too slippery. I will try the air caseless but I think I may end up needing the bumper or a leather skin or back case just so it doesn't slide out of my pocket when I get in my car.

I stopped using screen protectors with my 15pro so I wont be using one on the air. Its a waste of 10 grams and they break too easily.

 

[robotphood]

That's all true, but that's not really my point. It was a response to why everyone is worried about battery - It's not about my opnion on if it will last all day, and for who. Nor if the camera will be fine in low light or not.

What i'm saying is, generally we have got use to phones which last all day in nearly all circumstances. We have also got use to the cameras being so good that lighting isn't that much of an issue now.

With the Air there is a genuine concearn that those things we don't even think about anymore we will have to think about again. I mean the magsafe battery says it all regarding battery - and the smaller sensor and single camera to build the picture from won't ever match the light sensitivity of a larger sensor or multiple sensors.

So the worry and uncomfort comes from that going backwards and an issue that's not in your mind anymore about phones now coming back to be an issue again.

It's a bit like if a phone came out with a memory effect on the battery like 10-15 years ago. You don't psycologolically expect to ever have to worry about that again.

So my point is, it is a valid concearn and a valid worry - one more thing to think about in the day - for some people anyway.

I think this is more true for peoople who would otherwise have got a pro/pro max and are considering the air - but also valid for everyone else too.

Let's face it even if you are a light user you will be caught out one day by the smaller battery, alot more often than with a pro. Like me that trade off is probabaly worth it for you, but it is worth a thought before you make the decision.

But isn’t the main sensor the same exact one across the line? The only time you’ll notice a difference is positioning. Lighting should be the same outside of macro and portrait, but early reviews show you have to be pixel hunting to see the difference.

As for battery, if the Air is holding up to the 17, then the only people that would “worry” about it is pro max users. But that’s an entirely different consumer. I end my 16 hour day with anywhere from 20-40% battery in my 16P so it’s unlikely I’ll be worrying about it. If I know it’s going to be an abnormal day I’ll be throwing it on a charger when I get a chance or have a portable MagSafe around. Your points are all valid but I think they apply to a minority of people settling for the Air, mainly Pro users.

 

[rui no onna]

But isn’t the main sensor the same exact one across the line? The only time you’ll notice a difference is positioning. Lighting should be the same outside of macro and portrait, but early reviews show you have to be pixel hunting to see the difference.

The Pro models have a bigger main sensor.

The main camera is the same on the regular 17 and Air.

 

[surferfb]

But isn’t the main sensor the same exact one across the line? The only time you’ll notice a difference is positioning. Lighting should be the same outside of macro and portrait, but early reviews show you have to be pixel hunting to see the difference.

Camera is the same in Air and Regular 17, but the pro phones have a larger sensor. Which isn't a slouch, but did want to flag they are different sensors - if you notice it, you'll most likely notice it in low light.

As for battery, if the Air is holding up to the 17, then the only people that would “worry” about it is pro max users. But that’s an entirely different consumer. I end my 16 hour day with anywhere from 20-40% battery in my 16P so it’s unlikely I’ll be worrying about it. If I know it’s going to be an abnormal day I’ll be throwing it on a charger when I get a chance or have a portable MagSafe around. Your points are all valid but I think they apply to a minority of people settling for the Air, mainly Pro users.

I'm not particularly concerned about the battery, like you I end up with 30-40% battery left most days, and on days when I'm out and about without access to a charger I'll just throw the battery on.

 

[robotphood]

That’s the issue with screen protectors, it’ll totally ruin the AR coating benefits.

I personally rarely have issues with glare but it’d be nice to have.

I haven't used a case in years, so I'll be going cashless.

I am torn on a screen protector. I don't like them, but every year Apple says "more scratch resistant" and every year my phone is scratched almost immediately. Phone lives in a dedicated pocket with nothing else, only thing I can figure is maybe the metal rivets on my jeans.

Probably going to get a protector, but haven't decided yet, particularly as I am unsure if I'm keeping the phone.

It seems like the screens are getting much more impact resistant but more scratch prone.

 

[robotphood]

The Pro models have a bigger main sensor.

The main camera is the same on the regular 17 and Air.

You’re right, I do remember that from the keynote now. Do you know off the top of your head how the 17 main sensor compares to the 16P?

 

[James6s]

I haven't used a case in years, so I'll be going cashless.

I am torn on a screen protector. I don't like them, but every year Apple says "more scratch resistant" and every year my phone is scratched almost immediately. Phone lives in a dedicated pocket with nothing else, only thing I can figure is maybe the metal rivets on my jeans.

Probably going to get a protector, but haven't decided yet, particularly as I am unsure if I'm keeping the phone.

I’m in two minds about screen protectors, the screen on all the new iPhone 17’s are apparently 3x more scratch resistant! Lol. Also the anti reflective coating will be affected by adding a screen protector.

 

[Joseph C]

I’m in two minds about screen protectors, the screen on all the new iPhone 17’s are apparently 3x more scratch resistant! Lol. Also the anti reflective coating will be affected by adding a screen protector.

The screens aren’t the thing to worry about IMO - it’s the rails/edges.

I think it could be a problem for all but the silver Pro and white Air.

I say this as someone who has never used a case or screen protector since iPhone 3G.

It’s the bloody edges that are the problem in my experience. From iPhone 5 to X it was a nightmare.

The X and XS did well, despite being black/anodised steel. The switch to black flat edges affected this from 12 Pro onwards.

Then the natural titanium models fared perfectly. But it’s trickier this year for the case-less crew. It’s why I went for the white Air over the black.

I wish they’d let us have silver/natural rails and black back like iPhone 4. It would be an instant buy.

 

[rui no onna]

You’re right, I do remember that from the keynote now. Do you know off the top of your head how the 17 main sensor compares to the 16P?

Iirc, main sensor is the same on 16 Pro and 17 Pro.

 

[robotphood]

The screens aren’t the thing to worry about IMO - it’s the rails/edges.

I think it could be a problem for all but the silver Pro and white Air.

I say this as someone who has never used a case or screen protector since iPhone 3G.

Titanium rails hold up better than aluminum in my experience. But the shiny rails always show damage much more than matte/brushed. They do usually feel grippier/tackier so that’s a plus for us naked users.

 

[Joseph C]

Titanium rails hold up better than aluminum in my experience. But the shiny rails always show damage much more than matte/brushed. They do usually feel grippier/tackier so that’s a plus for us naked users.

Thing is the shiny/polished bit though.

And I did briefly have a black titanium iPhone 16 - it had a scratch which I couldn’t unsee and drove me crazy.

So I went back to Natural Titanium.

And yes many of the Air reviews have said it feels much grippier than recent phones!

 

[CaféPicasso]

Do I understand it right that the 16e and Air cameras are exactly the same?

 

[rui no onna]

Do I understand it right that the 16e and Air cameras are exactly the same?

No. The 16e has an even smaller sensor.

 

[techspin]

I don’t use cases and 16 pro titanium rails have been bulletproof, so that’s great news for the air. Don’t worry, the 18 pros will be aluminum with titanium rails for protection. The rails shouldn’t have a detrimental effect on heat dissipation unless I’m missing something.

 

[CaféPicasso]

No. The 16e has an even smaller sensor.

Really? Thank you, I didn't know that! I'm using a 16e and the photos are really OK

 

[Joseph C]

I don’t use cases and 16 pro titanium rails have been bulletproof, so that’s great news for the air. Don’t worry, the 18 pros will be aluminum with titanium rails for protection. The rails shouldn’t have a detrimental effect on heat dissipation unless I’m missing something.

I agree but do you not worry the polished titanium might be a different story? We have no experience of polished titanium yet.

 

[dantay]

I’m in two minds about screen protectors, the screen on all the new iPhone 17’s are apparently 3x more scratch resistant! Lol. Also the anti reflective coating will be affected by adding a screen protector.

I’ve used these a lot over the years:

 

[NotApplicable]

I agree but do you not worry the polished titanium might be a different story? We have no experience of polished titanium yet.

Apple has made plenty of polished titanium watches, probably safe to base predictions on those

 

[James6s]

Do I understand it right that the 16e and Air cameras are exactly the same?

No. The Air’s camera set up is much better from what I’ve seen.

With the hardware, sensor and the new ISP and imaging pipeline being superior.

 

[Joseph C]

Apple has made plenty of polished titanium watches, probably safe to base predictions on those

That’s a very good point, and one I hadn’t considered as I can’t wear Apple Watches sadly.

I’m going to research how the polished titanium held up on those as it’s a great indicator!

 

[rui no onna]

Really? Thank you, I didn't know that! I'm using a 16e and the photos are really OK

Phone cameras in general have improved a lot making them OK for casual photography. Mind, I think the 16e has the same size sensor as the iPhone 12’s main camera.

 

[k187]

I haven't used a case in years, so I'll be going cashless.

I am torn on a screen protector. I don't like them, but every year Apple says "more scratch resistant" and every year my phone is scratched almost immediately. Phone lives in a dedicated pocket with nothing else, only thing I can figure is maybe the metal rivets on my jeans.

Probably going to get a protector, but haven't decided yet, particularly as I am unsure if I'm keeping the phone.

lol typo ‘cashless’ yep that’s about all of us after shelling out on this

 

[James6s]

The screens aren’t the thing to worry about IMO - it’s the rails/edges.

I think it could be a problem for all but the silver Pro and white Air.

I say this as someone who has never used a case or screen protector since iPhone 3G.

It’s the bloody edges that are the problem in my experience. From iPhone 5 to X it was a nightmare.

The X and XS did well, despite being black/anodised steel. The switch to black flat edges affected this from 12 Pro onwards.

Then the natural titanium models fared perfectly. But it’s trickier this year for the case-less crew. It’s why I went for the white Air over the black.

I wish they’d let us have silver/natural rails and black back like iPhone 4. It would be an instant buy.

I guess time will tell how the polished titanium frame holds up, the last iPhone with a polished finish was my 14 Pro and that held up quite well with the space black stainless steel. (Mostly no case) & titanium is strong.

It’ll be more durable than the aluminium on the Pro devices.

 

[robotphood]

Thing is the shiny/polished bit though.

And I did briefly have a black titanium iPhone 16 - it had a scratch which I couldn’t unsee and drove me crazy.

So I went back to Natural Titanium.

And yes many of the Air reviews have said it feels much grippier than recent phones!

Yeah, we’ll see. I don’t expect my phones to stay flawless being naked. My 14p polished steel sides was way grippier than my natural 16p but showed all the smudges. I’m expecting the Air to be similar.

 

[CaféPicasso]

No. The Air’s camera set up is much better from what I’ve seen.

With the hardware, sensor and the new ISP and imaging pipeline being superior.

Thank You! I think I made the right decision to leave the PM-club.... Tomorrow is the day! Back to black!