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

[citysnaps]

I'll summarize it like this then: you seem to not care about the gear. That's one way to look at it. But please don't speak from the perspective of someone who does in fact care about the gear.

I'm among those who know they cannot achieve their vision with an iPhone. "It's more about the photographer" are just pretty words that cannot lift the limitations of the sensor size and lack of manual controls. Ultimately, "the right tool for the right job" is more appropriate here. I personally do not find an iPhone to be the right tool for my photography. It's just that simple.

But I do care about gear. As I mentioned in my above post and owning a few so-called "real cameras" in addition to my current and past iPhones. And have used both in past projects.

I'm just not in the camp in that being the end-all be-all when it comes to making compelling photographs that move viewers.

I've seen so many people starting in photography purchasing expensive cams and making not very interesting ho-hum photographs that say/communicate nothing. It seems it's more about the allure of having the best gear.

 

[bill-p]

But I do care about gear. As I mentioned in my above post and owning a few so-called "real cameras" in addition to my current and past iPhones. And have used both in past projects.

I'm just not in the camp in that being the end-all be-all when it comes to making compelling photographs that move viewers.

I've seen so many people starting in photography purchasing expensive cams and making not very interesting ho-hum photographs that say/communicate nothing. It seems it's more about the allure of having the best gear.

Honestly, I'll boil it down as such: the iPhone is either a sufficient tool for photography or it is not.

For your style, it is sufficient.

For mine and many others, it is not.

This has nothing to do with gear being the be-all end-all of photography. You're conflating the two again. Basically, anyone who doesn't share your view should not automatically fall into the camp that only cares about gear and nothing else.

There's a spectrum. The iPhone is just one tool of many. It fits you but it also doesn't fit many others. There's a reason the market of "real cameras" is still thriving despite the rise of smartphone camera capabilities.

 

[citysnaps]

Honestly, I'll boil it down as such: the iPhone is either a sufficient tool for photography or it is not.

For your style, it is sufficient.

For mine and many others, it is not.

This has nothing to do with gear being the be-all end-all of photography. You're conflating the two again. Basically, anyone who doesn't share your view should not automatically fall into the camp that only cares about gear and nothing else.

There's a spectrum. The iPhone is just one tool of many. It fits you but it also doesn't fit many others. There's a reason the market of "real cameras" is still thriving despite the rise of smartphone camera capabilities.

Nope. I'm fine with people doing whatever they want to do with whatever tools they want to use. I'm just relating my observations as to their results that I see all too often.

"It fits you but it also doesn't fit many others."

Again, no. It doesn't always fit me. That's why I have two very nice Sony mirrorless cams. Right tool for the right job.

I'm not able to always carry a "real cam" with me wherever I go. Some areas of San Francisco (the Tenderloin, for example) it would ne foolish to do so. I do always have my iPhone with me and have made thousands of photos I wouldn't have otherwise made.

 

[AlanBeyond]

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.

S9 has upgraded pretty much since S6, in fact, S9 is still worth buying compared to S11

 

[azhava]

But I do care about gear. As I mentioned in my above post and owning a few so-called "real cameras" in addition to my current and past iPhones. And have used both in past projects.

I'm just not in the camp in that being the end-all be-all when it comes to making compelling photographs that move viewers.

I've seen so many people starting in photography purchasing expensive cams and making not very interesting ho-hum photographs that say/communicate nothing. It seems it's more about the allure of having the best gear.

Isn't it one of the things a photographer hates to hear most, when somebody says "That's a great picture, you must have a very nice camera"? 😆

Any camera can turn out everything from magnificent images to total trash. Go into the iPhone forum and look at the "Photos taken with..." thread from any iPhone model as far back as you'd like - there are some really interesting, well composed and lighted images, and there are a lot of throwaway snapshots.

Of course there is gear more suited to different photographic pursuits, and just like anything else there's no "one size fits all" solution. What is essential for an NFL sideline photographer would be useless for a street photographer, and a landscape photographer is going to have a differently targeted kit than a wedding photographer. No one kit is going to cover everything, unless you happen to like towing a wagon behind you everywhere you go with a chest full of camera bodies, lenses and accessories.

Any avid photographer who knows their craft is going to optimize their kit for their niche. But if they're caught out with nothing more than their iPhone and they see an opportunity to capture a compelling image, they also know how to make the best of what they have in their hands at the moment. A lot of iconic images have been captured with very primitive cameras.

 

[citysnaps]

Isn't it one of the things a photographer hates to hear most, when somebody says "That's a great picture, you must have a very nice camera"? 😆

Any camera can turn out everything from magnificent images to total trash. Go into the iPhone forum and look at the "Photos taken with..." thread from any iPhone model as far back as you'd like - there are some really interesting, well composed and lighted images, and there are a lot of throwaway snapshots.

Of course there is gear more suited to different photographic pursuits, and just like anything else there's no "one size fits all" solution. What is essential for an NFL sideline photographer would be useless for a street photographer, and a landscape photographer is going to have a differently targeted kit than a wedding photographer. No one kit is going to cover everything, unless you happen to like towing a wagon behind you everywhere you go with a chest full of camera bodies, lenses and accessories.

Any avid photographer who knows their craft is going to optimize their kit for their niche. But if they're caught out with nothing more than their iPhone and they see an opportunity to capture a compelling image, they also know how to make the best of what they have in their hands at the moment. A lot of iconic images have been captured with very primitive cameras.

Spot-on. Agree with everything you said.

 

[azhava]

I'm among those who know they cannot achieve their vision with an iPhone. "It's more about the photographer" are just pretty words that cannot lift the limitations of the sensor size and lack of manual controls. Ultimately, "the right tool for the right job" is more appropriate here. I personally do not find an iPhone to be the right tool for my photography. It's just that simple.

You seem to be a quite experienced photographer. That being the case, I'd be willing to bet good money that if I put an iPhone Air in your hands and stood you at a given location for a still image photo next to an inexperienced snapshooter holding a top-end DSLR with the best lens available, your images would turn out far better than theirs. Maybe not on a pixel-peeper level at 1000% zoom, but in terms of the overall image I'm confident that it would be easy for anybody with an eye for photography to tell who took which one.

 

[citysnaps]

Isn't it one of the things a photographer hates to hear most, when somebody says "That's a great picture, you must have a very nice camera"? 😆

I've heard that a few times over the years. Knowing that comes from a non-photographer, or a beginning photographer, I just smile and nod my head. No need to put a beginner down.

Similarly... When I'm out shooting, say in San Francisco, and cross paths with another photographer, I sometimes engage them in some conversation. I might ask them, "What do you like to shoot?"

If the response is something like "I shoot with a Leica M4 with a Summilux 35mm f/1.4 lens." My response might be (trying to be polite), "That's a great setup!", wish him good luck, and move on.

If instead the response is something like, "I like to talk to and make photos of people in disadvantaged neighborhoods to better understand the consequences of San Francisco gentrification," I might say, hey, I'm doing something similar for a project I'm working on. Let's have a beer somewhere and talk about our projects.

 

[DaveTheRave]

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.

Apple is hoping millions of people are willing to pay good money now to be beta testers for what will be one-half of a future foldable iPhone. No thanks.

 

[Big_D]

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...)

I have a 14 as a company phone at the moment, but I'll get a 16e or 17e, when it comes up for renewal. The Air would be out of the price range anyway - currently I can choose between a 15 or 16e, I'm guessing when it comes around it will be either a 16 or 17e, if the 17e has been released by then... I'll have to look at the differences between the 16 and 17e specs, before making a final decision.

 

[Dolmio]

Honestly, I'll boil it down as such: the iPhone is either a sufficient tool for photography or it is not.

For your style, it is sufficient.

For mine and many others, it is not.

This has nothing to do with gear being the be-all end-all of photography. You're conflating the two again. Basically, anyone who doesn't share your view should not automatically fall into the camp that only cares about gear and nothing else.

There's a spectrum. The iPhone is just one tool of many. It fits you but it also doesn't fit many others. There's a reason the market of "real cameras" is still thriving despite the rise of smartphone camera capabilities.

I think its nice Apple are catering for different segements if you want the best cameras go pro if you not that bothered go base or air . If you prefer form factor go air etc . I think it’s an individual choice on a persons needs . Many would probably get away with the base 17 but some like something different and will go air others want the best cameras / battery life possible and go pro. I think which ever phone will in reality be good enough the phones have got so good recently that I doubt the majority use all the features

 

[cgs1xx]

I ordered the Air and kinda regretting it now. I just didn’t want to buy the same phone again for like the 4th year in a row (ok, this year’s pro max is uglier but still the same phone 🤷🏻‍♂️)

 

[jazzpolizei]

So they won’t play games on it then? I find that hard to believe.

I don't play games on phones. I just never got into it. I did try: Angry Birds, anyone? But alas.

The world is full of different kinds of people.

 

[tomtad]

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.

The regular iPhone is the sweet spot and it's $200 less. If you're after a Pro phone in a thinner, lighter body this is what you get.

 

[Dolmio]

The regular iPhone is the sweet spot and it's $200 less. If you're after a Pro phone in a thinner, lighter body this is what you get.

Depends on sweet spot I guess if you talking about price and features then yep . Personally a bigger screen is welcome for me but not the heft of the pro max so I’m intrigued by the air

 

[davidjearly]

Did you mean Apple's built-in Camera app? If so... Having used Apple's Camera app for so long, I'd rather stay with it. As I have with my previous Pro Max iPhones.

Yes, sorry I meant using an alternative to the built in Camera app. I remember doing this with some excellent third party apps before Apple enabled RAW in Camera.

 

[TSloper74]

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

What is the point of this phone?

 

[Pezimak]

I don't play games on phones. I just never got into it. I did try: Angry Birds, anyone? But alas.

The world is full of different kinds of people.

That is fair, but you proclaimed ‘the market’ it is aimed at won’t max the processor out, I just read that as quite a reaching statement to make. I am sure there will be plenty of comparisons though. I still think it has too many compromises though, however they offer different phones. I highly suspect the more fashion concours will buy the Air?