Here Are 5 Smaller iPhone Air Details You Might Have Missed, Including Only a Single Speaker

[MacRumors]

Apple's all-new, ultra-thin iPhone Air launches on Friday, and there are some smaller details about the device that you might have missed.

Below, we outline five things to know about the iPhone Air:

• As rumored, the iPhone Air only has a single speaker. The earpiece at the top of the device doubles as a speaker, but there is no speaker on the bottom of the device. The holes to the left and right of the USB-C port are for microphones. For stereo audio, use AirPods or a capable external speaker.
• On the iPhone Air, the Dynamic Island is positioned slightly lower on the screen compared to the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models. This was likely necessary due to the device's ultra-thin frame necessitating internal design changes.
• While the iPhone 17 Pro models support USB 3.2 Gen 2, for data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, the iPhone Air is limited to USB 2 speeds of up to 480 Mbps.
• Apple says the iPhone Air can be charged to 50% in approximately 30 minutes, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro models can be charged to 50% in approximately 20 minutes. A higher-wattage charger and cable is required to achieve these speeds. In addition, MagSafe wireless charging on the iPhone Air is limited to up to 20W, compared to 25W for the iPhone 17 Pro models.
• In the iPhone 17 Pro models, the A19 Pro chip has a 6-core GPU. In the iPhone Air, it has a 5-core GPU, so graphics performance will take a slight hit.

Be sure to watch our iPhone Air hands-on video from earlier this week.

Article Link: Here Are 5 Smaller iPhone Air Details You Might Have Missed, Including Only a Single Speaker

 

[cbns]

The usb numbers are wrong here, displayed in bytes when they should be bits, effectively an eighth

 

[mikethebigo]

Very interesting about the different Dynamic Island location. The iPhone 17/Pro’s faster charging requires a PD 3.2 charger, currently the only one on the market is the new dynamic 40/60w charger that Apple just started selling.

Unfortunately for me, the single speaker is the biggest dealbreaker on the Air. I hope that can be addressed on future revisions.

 

[gleepskip]

There are too many compromises with the Air, especially for the price. This is probably the new direction for iPhone and this is gen 1. The first MacBook Air was awful, too. Now, it's an amazing machine.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

The usb numbers are wrong here, displayed in bytes when they should be bits, effectively an eighth

Fixed, now, thanks. Easy to mix it up.

 

[everlast3434]

Sacrificing a bunch for it to be thinner... and I'm not even sure why I would want by phone to be thinner?

 

[Chomp81]

I don't see one single reason to get the Air... except being thin and being the same reason people get an Hermes Apple Watch; to show-off they have money; which, it doesn't make sense; but even with that, seems like a silly purchase. Maybe I'm missing something

I'd like to know, why people will get it, I'm very curious.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Sacrificing a bunch for it to be thinner... and I'm not even sure why I would want by phone to be thinner?

It's not even that light, same weight as base 17 basically

 

[gleepskip]

Fixed, now, thanks. Easy to mix it up.

Try integrating audio/video SDKs. Some want milliseconds, others want nanoseconds.

 

[JaydenA]

My main concern will be, "How flexgate-able" would this be. Jeans pockets and all that.

 

[MdRuckus]

It's not even that light, same weight as base 17 basically

It definitely is lighter. 165 grams vs 177 grams.

 

[t0rqx]

Classic Apple Watch strategy.

Combine old components in a new case.

The S11 is just a S9. Which actually is an S6.

The audacity to sell the "S10" as an S11...is courageous to say the least.

Not even bothering to rebrand the S11 SoC, but just use the same packaging and replace S10 with S11 in WatchOS code. Its the ultimate cost saving move. Its genius.

 

[sonicrobby]

None of those small details seem like a practical impact for me I’m so excited to get the air!

 

[fathergll]

I don't see one single reason to get the Air... except being thin and being the same reason people get an Hermes Apple Watch; to show-off they have money; which, it doesn't make sense; but even with that, seems like a silly purchase. Maybe I'm missing something

I'd like to know, why people will get it, I'm very curious.

I think someone said here their use case was they carry two phones for work and the weight is too much with regular iPhones.

 

[sonicrobby]

Sacrificing a bunch for it to be thinner... and I'm not even sure why I would want by phone to be thinner?

I’d sacrifice more to get a flush camera on the back! I personally have always hated the phones getting bigger and thicker. They have been harder for me to hold. That’s the main reason I want the air. Especially after using the m4 iPad Pro for so long, the thin-ness of a device somehow makes the use experience more… magical?

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

It definitely is lighter. 165 grams vs 177 grams.

I stand corrected. Probably conflated with previous gen numbers

 

[t0rqx]

I don't see one single reason to get the Air... except being thin and being the same reason people get an Hermes Apple Watch; to show-off they have money; which, it doesn't make sense; but even with that, seems like a silly purchase. Maybe I'm missing something

I'd like to know, why people will get it, I'm very curious.

You are spot on.

 

[Chomp81]

I think someone said here their use case was they carry two phones for work and the weight is too much with regular iPhones.

Ok, I can see that... for a secondary phone.
Nevertheless, too expensive.

iPhone16e; is 2 grams heavier (yes, the Air is a better phone, but still, as a secondary one...)

 

[newdeal]

the air only exists to help further guide people to getting the pro. The pro is a far better value than the air is. Maybe not because the pro is a value but because for the extra $100 it's so much better than the air.

 

[StudioMacs]

Sacrificing a bunch for it to be thinner... and I'm not even sure why I would want by phone to be thinner?

It looks nicer than the base 17 and 17 Pros (in my opinion). It seems silly to buy tech based on looks, but I am not the only person in the world who wants to enjoy the aesthetics of something they interact with throughout the day.

If I had to buy one this year, I would lean towards the Air, but compromises (especially camera) make it easy to hold onto my 15 Pro.

 

[tbayrgs]

I don't see one single reason to get the Air... except being thin and being the same reason people get an Hermes Apple Watch; to show-off they have money; which, it doesn't make sense; but even with that, seems like a silly purchase. Maybe I'm missing something

I'd like to know, why people will get it, I'm very curious.

I'll play Devil's Advocate;

It's quite a bit lighter that the other models, especially the Pro models, while offering a larger display.

My wife would like a display bigger than her Pro model but the added weight of my Pro Max is not appealing. Using my Pro Max for even a brief period brings the requisite 'How you you use that all day?' question. Having more screen yet it being even lighter than her current phone sounds pretty great to her. She's also around a charger most of the day (on her desk, in her car) so less battery life not a huge issue.

Some people are oblivious of the added lenses and their functionality/benefits--my wife and kids among them. You know how often in public I see being setting up their photo by immediately pinching to zoom in? The single 48 MP shooter is perfectly fine for these folks. The front camera is the same across all the new phones and I'd eager most will take advantage of it more than any changes to the rear setup.

It's definitely not for everyone, or even most people but I can see the appeal for many. Hell, I've got both a Pro Max and Air ordered for pickup this Friday to give em a good comparison test drive. There's a good chance either my daughter or wife might be persuaded to give it a go if I don't keep it. My iPhone is going to be my second line this year (using a foldable for my primary) so the Air might be a perfect companion.

 

[Outpostjupiter]

Sacrificing a bunch for it to be thinner... and I'm not even sure why I would want by phone to be thinner?

Sometimes, when technology is sufficient, art matters.

 

[Sammy in SoCal]

the air only exists to help further guide people to getting the pro. The pro is a far better value than the air is. Maybe not because the pro is a value but because for the extra $100 it's so much better than the air.

For the average non tech female do you think they’ll gravitate more to the air or the pro? Or even a non tech male. The lightness and thinness will be a huge ergonomic benefit in the hand and in the pocket

 

[azhava]

It definitely is lighter. 165 grams vs 177 grams.

Pretty hard to get excited about less than ½ ounce difference in weight. That's about the weight of two nickels and a penny in your pocket.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

In the iPhone 17 Pro models, the A19 Pro chip has a 6-core GPU. In the iPhone Air, it has a 5-core GPU, so graphics performance will take a slight hit.

What I don't get is that an extra GPU core is what supposedly makes A19 Pro, well, Pro.

So wouldn't an A19 Pro minus one GPU core be a regular A19?