Other FYI: The “iPhone Air” only has one speaker. That’s something to considering when choosing your phone.

[NotApplicable]

I think he meant about battery , not the speaker. Battery can affect people who use their phones a lot

Ah sure, though the Air battery life looks to be MUCH better than predicted.

But they were talking about buying an air as a sort of digital detox as if it would somehow discourage use. lol.

Like yeah, I guess if you were addicted to taking macro photos or taking 4k slow-mo video, I guess the Air might be a good detox…

 

[MayaUser]

It seems air is related with the iphone 16 pro battery life, if so its quite impressive

 

[TJ82]

Eh, I think it’s a stretch to go that far lol. Some of us use our phones plenty but don’t rely on phone speakers for audio (instead opting for AirPods, CarPlay in our cars, or entertainment systems at home). Or need a zillion photo options when we want to snap pics of our family or dogs.

The Air has 12gb ram, a pro processor, a great screen, a large screen… doesn’t look like it’s not meant to be used to me…

I get that, you'll use it a lot - but to do basic stuff.

I just meant that if you're fully using all the features that phones have these days, ie. playing movies on it with speakers, content creation with high res videos, editing etc. then I think the regular models especially the Pro models are much more sensible and not that much more expensive. The things you describe doing with the phone are very basic let's be honest. You don't sound like someone who needs a Pro. You're just a basic dude that wants a nice screen and some decent snaps of the dog licking butt every day. The Air suits you.

I usually go for a Pro Max and up until this year would still have went for a Pro as I do usually use the phone's features a lot. With the Air we have nice specs to make the experience of using it seem *premium*. I think that's the key difference in why some specs are high. But in honesty, it's definitely functionally gimped. One lens, one speaker, in 2025 tells you everything you need to know. This phone isn't for anyone doing anything interesting. If the phone had 24MP rear lens, all the Air buyers would still have bought it - put it that way.

For creative work I'll use my Sony A7RIV and DJI Osmo Pocket and just leave the phone as a phone as it's too easy to get sucked into scrolling on the internet on it.

I do like that the Air has good specs, better than I was expecting. Mostly because it means I should be able to get 5 years out of it and that's a rule I'm using at the moment. Any tech should last me at least 5 years. People have become mindless about upgrading now, it's sickening.

 

[NotApplicable]

I get that, I just meant that if you're fully using all the features that phones have these days, ie. playing movies on it with speakers, content creation with high res videos etc. Think the regular models especially the Pro models are much more sensible and not that much more expensive. The things you describe doing with the phone are pretty basic let's be honest. You don't sound like someone who needs a Pro.

I usually go for a Pro Max and up until this year would still have went for a Pro as I do usually use the phones features a lot. With the Air we have nice specs to make the experience of using it seem *premium*. I think that's the key difference in why the specs are high.

It's definitely not a power user device though. For creative work I'll use my Sony A7RIV and DJI Osmo Pocket and just leave the phone as a phone as it's too easy to get sucked into scrolling on the internet on it.

I do like that the Air has good specs, better than I was expecting. Mostly because it means I should be able to get 5 years out of it and that's a rule I'm using at the moment. Any tech should last me at least 5 years. People have become mindless about upgrading now, it's sickening.

Yeah, I’m a software engineer, not a content creator or phone gamer or videographer. If I’m watching a movie, it’s on a large tv with a surround system. If I’m on a plane it’s on an iPad. If I’m not at home, audio is going through headphones or my vehicle.

If someone sends me a selfie video or a YouTube link or something, and I watch it quickly on my phone, stereo speakers add nothing of value to me.

There’s something strange about the “I care about audio fidelity enough to make a fuss about it, but not enough to use actual headphones or a sound system.” I’ve never met an audiophile that was like “for the best experience, I recommend listening to that on your phone’s speakers!”

I think people who probably make the most use of iPhone speakers aren’t actually professionals or audiophiles. They’re the people watching endless feeds of YouTube, instagram, or TikTok videos on their couch. And the Air probably isn’t for them because those apps eat a lot of battery feeding telemetry to ad monetization systems, among other things! Plus, they probably think they need a bunch of cameras to record themselves dancing or eating tide pods or something.

 

[TJ82]

Yeah, I’m a software engineer, not a content creator or phone gamer or videographer. If I’m watching a movie, it’s on a large tv with a surround system. If I’m on a plane it’s on an iPad. If I’m not at home, audio is going through headphones or my vehicle.

If someone sends me a selfie video or a YouTube link or something, and I watch it quickly on my phone, stereo speakers add nothing of value to me.

There’s something strange about the “I care about audio fidelity enough to make a fuss about it, but not enough to use actual headphones or a sound system.” I’ve never met an audiophile that was like “for the best experience, I recommend listening to that on your phone’s speakers!”

I think people who probably make the most use of iPhone speakers aren’t actually professionals or audiophiles. They’re the people watching endless feeds of YouTube, instagram, or TikTok videos on their couch. And the Air probably isn’t for them because those apps eat a lot of battery feeding telemetry to ad monetization systems, among other things! Plus, they probably think they need a bunch of cameras to record themselves dancing or eating tide pods or something.

Totally yes, with you on all of it 100%.

On London tubes they're putting a campaign up to ask people to use headphones because people keep scrolling YT shorts, TikTok etc with the speakers up irritating everyone.

Transport for London (TfL) asks mobile users to wear headphones

A new campaign is asking bus and Tube users to wear headphones for playing music and making calls.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Andeddu]

My iPhone is essentially my all‑in‑one device; I use it for everything from browsing the web and watching media to gaming. My daily Screen‑on‑Time averages around 7–8 hours, which is fairly high (though not unusual these days). While I find the Air far more attractive than the Pro, I’m leaning toward the Pro since it’s only $100 more and offers a fully uncompromised experience.

 

[kiranmk2]

The Samsung S25 Edge has stereo speakers. I truly can't believe Apple went mono in 2025. 😂

I'm guessing that Apple will be aiming to match the features of the S25 edge (stereo speakers, dual cameras) on the 2nd gen Air.

 

[surferfb]

Definitely something to highlight, but not something that impacts me at all. I never watch anything on my phone without headphones.

That said, I think this does say an lot about battery life. I can’t imagine the second speaker takes up that much space (same thing with the sim tray), but the fact that they’d make such a compromise makes me think the battery concern is real.

 

[ayephoner]

My iPhone is essentially my all‑in‑one device; I use it for everything from browsing the web and watching media to gaming. My daily Screen‑on‑Time averages around 7–8 hours, which is fairly high (though not unusual these days). While I find the Air far more attractive than the Pro, I’m leaning toward the Pro since it’s only $100 more and offers a fully uncompromised experience.

I think I'm leaning towards this train of thought also. I will go with the Pro Max rather than the Pro, but I just don't want to get an Air and figure out that I am somehow missing out on capabilities.

 

[Andeddu]

I think I'm leaning towards this train of thought also. I will go with the Pro Max rather than the Pro, but I just don't want to get an Air and figure out that I am somehow missing out on capabilities.

The Air just seems a little overpriced for what it is given that there are so many drawbacks from lack of camera lenses, low battery capacity, poor thermals, single speaker, etc... I'd rather spend the extra $100 and be done with it.

 

[4sallypat]

I don't use the iPhone to listen to stereo music, watch videos, or social media - instead I will stream it to my EV, Mac Studio w/ sound system, or my BT headphones.

It's a phone - mono speaker is perfect for me.

 

[Mr. Heckles]

Surprised they didn't make it "require AirPods Pro 3"

They will have their own version of this:
Portable Stereo Type C plug Speaker mobile phone Mini Speaker
But for $299

 

[Mr. Heckles]

Watching video content or listening to audio.

C'mon .. are we really defending a crummy speaker situation?

In 2025?

I use my phone to listen to music while doing laundry and just use the phones speaker. I'm not doing that stuff that long to buy a speaker for the laundry room.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I use my phone to listen to music while doing laundry and just use the phones speaker. I'm not doing that stuff that long to buy a speaker for the laundry room.

Agreed ... which is why it's nice to have a reasonably quality stereo speaker setup on the phone itself.

 

[ayephoner]

The Air just seems a little overpriced for what it is given that there are so many drawbacks from lack of camera lenses, low battery capacity, poor thermals, single speaker, etc... I'd rather spend the extra $100 and be done with it.

I think the price is good. I was actually thinking they would charge a premium for the thinner form factor. I would probably get the Air or Pro for free (switching carriers), but I think the Pro Max will be $100. I like a bigger screen, so the regular 17 and the Pro are at the bottom of my list.

 

[Andeddu]

I think the price is good. I was actually thinking they would charge a premium for the thinner form factor. I would probably get the Air or Pro for free (switching carriers), but I think the Pro Max will be $100. I like a bigger screen, so the regular 17 and the Pro are at the bottom of my list.

I’d opt for the Pro Max too if it were more practical, but I’m not convinced my pockets are built to handle those dimensions. I’ve never owned a Pro level iPhone before, but I think Apple’s made a compelling enough case to sway me this time around.

 

[surferfb]

I am very torn.

I love the Air form factor. I want it. But I take a LOT of photos. Just did the math and over the past year 26% of them are with either the Telephoto (18%) or Ultra-Wide (8%). Mostly of my kid, and while there aren't many "favorites", there are some pictures I'd be legitimately bummed not to have.

As I said up thread, speaker isn't an issue for me personally because I never use it. And I generally end up with 30-40% battery life at the end of the day, so I'm not concerned about that. And, I'd actually spend less money on the Air than I would on the Pro. But the cameras.

Decisions, decisions. 🤣

 

[uacd]

Reading all the new info about latest iPhones feels like “inconsistencies” and “tradeoffs” should have been their advertising slogans…

How in the world can phone have only 1 speaker and it is the one you hold near your ear🤦‍♂️ In 2025!! I’ve had two speakers probably ever since my first Sony Ericsson mobile.

Say what you want but I’ve gotten used to listen to music via iPhone’s speakers. No need to boot up JBL as well as volume isn’t too high to disturb anyone

 

[uacd]

One lens, one speaker, in 2025 tells you everything you need to know

They are keeping two lens design for 2026🤣 And in 2027 they will unveil “iPhone Air 3” with no USB port and put new magsafe charger to the bottom of the device instead, to milk their users and make people into buying “latest and greatest”.

For creative work I'll use my Sony A7RIV and DJI Osmo Pocket

This is the way. Good combo and actual optical zoom.

Nothing will replace iPhone for fast shots and “in your pocket”, but on the other hand iPhones are doing so many computations these days that photos no longer look real or artistic as one might get on real camera

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

Again having dual speakers helps even when your phone rings in your pocket. You hear it more easily. At least they put the one speaker in the best place and not in the bottom grill

Vibrate. There's a vibrate function so no one else ever has to hear your ringer again, and you can quite easily feel it.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

I’d opt for the Pro Max too if it were more practical, but I’m not convinced my pockets are built to handle those dimensions. I’ve never owned a Pro level iPhone before, but I think Apple’s made a compelling enough case to sway me this time around.

The ProMax is HUGE in pockets.

I've had multiple Pros, the 16PM was my first of its size.

Lovely phone, great battery life, never getting a PM again.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The ProMax is HUGE in pockets.

I've had multiple Pros, the 16PM was my first of its size.

Lovely phone, great battery life, never getting a PM again.

I've never understood how folks do the ProMax thing.

I have a friend with one and when I've used it to take a photo every so often, I found it to be incredibly unwieldy.
I couldn't wait to give it back to him/put it down and stop using it.

 

[Rangers94]

The ProMax is HUGE in pockets.

I've had multiple Pros, the 16PM was my first of its size.

Lovely phone, great battery life, never getting a PM again.

I agree 100%. I have the 15 Pro Max and I am getting the 17 Air Cloud White! 🔥

I’m just tired of having a brick in my pocket. While the 17 Air will be lacking some camera features of the Pros I feel the camera of the Air with its 2X is fine for me and as far as the battery, Apple claims it’s similar to the 16 Pro. Besides, I don’t live on my phone so I’m good! It’ll be refreshing to have such a thin, lightweight phone with not a lot of compromises that is actually VERY close to a Pro.

 

[4sallypat]

I agree 100%. I have the 15 Pro Max and I am getting the 17 Air Cloud White! 🔥

I’m just tired of having a brick in my pocket. While the 17 Air will be lacking some camera features of the Pros I feel the camera of the Air with its 2X is fine for me and as far as the battery, Apple claims it’s similar to the 16 Pro. Besides, I don’t live on my phone so I’m good! It’ll be refreshing to have such a thin, lightweight phone with not a lot of compromises that is actually VERY close to a Pro.

Agree with you!

I don't live on my phone either.

Most of my day is using a Mac desktop or MacBook Air.

Can't wait to shed the Pro pounds off my belt 5 days a week!

 

[Joseph C]

I don’t remember struggling with iPhone 3G up to 6S on a single speaker.

I don’t use the speaker much apart from occasional loudspeaker calls or to casually watch frivolous short videos on social media.

I use my AirPods most of the time. Therefore I don’t think this is a dealbreaker which will stop me getting an iPhone that evokes “Steve Jobs’ Apple” feelings within me - which the Pros don’t.