Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
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 guess if work is paying for 1 then really you are only buying the Air so the secondary is essentially covered.

With that said thats a niche use case and the 16e covers that pretty well. Heck I still own a iPhone 13 mini and for portability alone I would still take a 16e over an Air because the dimensions are much bigger on the Air and its basically the same weight.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Big_D and The13Mini
I am kind of nervous with the iPhone Air purchase. I went with iPhone Air Sky Blue 256GB. I purchased 256, because on my current iPhone Pro I have used 77GB. I think I am ok with storage. The most I am worried is battery charge and it heating up all the time. I am running the iOS 26 developer beta and it is constantly getting hot. I am doing the annual trade in program with Apple. I am on my 4th trade in. Let see how it goes.
 
Is the Air impressive for what it is? Yes.

Would I ever get one, even if I was in the market for a new phone? Nope.

No macro photography, no stereo speakers, worse battery than the base 17, slower wireless charging.

I hope everyone getting an Air loves it. But the only benefits I see here are the extra ram, the slightly bigger display and the Pro processor.
 
Pro models have always been too heavy for me. This is the year I’ve been waiting for. I was considering jumping ship just to do weight alone. Now I get the things i want, and not only light weight but slim and beautiful! Im so excited!!
I’m glad to hear you say the Pros are too heavy for you. For years I’ve read posts where people complain about the weight and size.

I thought for sure there would be much rejoicing over a thin iPhone but so many people seem confused why anyone would want a thinner iPhone.

I’m happy for all the people who have longed for a thinner iPhone like the Air.

Right now I’m staying with the Pro Max but the Air looks very impressive to me.
 
I am kind of nervous with the iPhone Air purchase. I went with iPhone Air Sky Blue 256GB. I purchased 256, because on my current iPhone Pro I have used 77GB. I think I am ok with storage. The most I am worried is battery charge and it heating up all the time. I am running the iOS 26 developer beta and it is constantly getting hot. I am doing the annual trade in program with Apple. I am on my 4th trade in. Let see how it goes.
Hopefully the final iOS 26 release runs better. Hope you like your new iPhone
 
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?
The extra camera height of the iPad Pro is only 2.2 mm however, while the Air's is 5.68 mm (and 3.03 mm just for the "plateau"). In a jeans pocket you'll notice that camera. Total thickness of the Air is 11.32 mm, while for example the 16e is only 9.48 mm.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: navaira
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?
To be honest, I am not sure why Apple didn’t use the OG MBA wedge design for the iPhone Air like some rumours of yesteryear had speculated. It would have looked like a drop design have more space for battery, flush camera, no plateau and have the DynamicIsland higher like the rest of the lineup plus it could have had stereo speakers as there would be more room for battery placement.

It would still keep the OG MBA design signature alive, instead we get this neutered iPhone that only a few were salivating for like the mini and I owned a mini 13 and still miss it.
 
The extra camera height of the iPad Pro is only 2.2 mm however, while the Air's is 5.68 mm (and 3.03 mm just for the "plateau"). In a jeans pocket you'll notice that camera. Total thickness of the Air is 11.32 mm, while for example the 16e is only 9.48 mm.
I did honestly consider the iphone 16e! It’s a much better design. My only drawback for the e in terms of features I use is MagSafe. My main charger for my bed and travel accessories, as well as my wallet has been MagSafe. The option of a phone case could be there, but I don’t use those, it takes away from the aesthetic of the experience. The iPhone air + MagSafe wallet should be thinner in my pocket though compared to my 16 pro + wallet, so it’s still an improvement for me!
 
  • Like
Reactions: The13Mini
Air is the only thing that caught my eye from the keynote this year. I usually wait for Apple to innovate before upgrading. Don’t get me wrong, the pros extra features sound nice but for someone like me that doesn’t really mess with camera settings or listen to music on the onboard speakers I can’t really find anything worth going with the bulky pro this year. And the Air has the same battery life as the 16pro!! Come on man, sign me up!!
I went from my 6s plus to iPhone 12pro. Waited until Apple finally did something better to get the m2 MacBook Air. Upgraded my Intel Mac to a m4 Mac mini. And now going to go from a 12pro to an iPhone Air. Now which color is the question 🤔
 
Last edited:
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.
For me, the pro has progressively had more than I need and the base models didn't have enough. I wanted Pro-motion, a larger screen, and a decent camera and until this generation that always required the pro.

The air like the iPad Air exists for the customer who doesn't want the cheap basic phone with year or two old tech, but also doesn't feel the need to spend the extra money on video and camera features they don't use or need.

Been an apple user for 20 years now and it finally feels like they're figuring that out. Every product line by next year will have a cheap model, a base model, a mid line "air" model, and a pro model.
 
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
Until their realize that the rear camera is limited and no stereo speakers for speakerphone calls. Even not having the telephoto lenses is a bit of a bummer for some non-Pro users but their deal with it due to cost and the cost on the Air is not less.

The OG MBA was attempting to be an ultralight laptop with a reasonable price tag and it’s successive generations made it the most budget friendly laptop in the Apple notebook ecosystem.

Let’s see if this is the direction of the iPhone Air.
 
I did honestly consider the iphone 16e! It’s a much better design. My only drawback for the e in terms of features I use is MagSafe. My main charger for my bed and travel accessories, as well as my wallet has been MagSafe. The option of a phone case could be there, but I don’t use those, it takes away from the aesthetic of the experience.
I agree about MagSafe and not using a case. I'm waiting for what the 17e will be. The theoretic ideal would be the e form factor with MagSafe, the A19/Pro, display, and ceramic shield of the Air. Of course Apple won't do that. For the time being, I'm still fine with the 13 mini.
 
For me, the pro has progressively had more than I need and the base models didn't have enough. I wanted Pro-motion, a larger screen, and a decent camera and until this generation that always required the pro.

The air like the iPad Air exists for the customer who doesn't want the cheap basic phone with year or two old tech, but also doesn't feel the need to spend the extra money on video and camera features they don't use or need.

Been an apple user for 20 years now and it finally feels like they're figuring that out. Every product line by next year will have a cheap model, a base model, a mid line "air" model, and a pro model.
Except:

iPhone;
iPhone E, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro/Max

iPad;
iPad #, iPad Mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro

Mac;
MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

If one considers the “Air” branding to be mid-tier price range then the Mac notebook line has one member MIA.
 
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.
MacRumors forum regulars spend more time thinking and evaluating their iPhone choices than, what, maybe 98% of buyers? And typical iPhone user has everything they need whether they get 17, Air, or Pro. Air may lose out on typical buyers due to battery. But, I think there will be people who need a phone, go to their carrier, and like the look and feel of the Air and decide to get it.
It's possible the screen size plus the weight may be get me to the Air as well, although I will wait to evaluate.
 
I bought the Air, the only thing on this list that makes me grin my teeth is the solo speaker. That is a step backwards.

Everything else is minor and nitpicking, like seriously who is concerned about transferring data via USB on this device, literally a pro function for people taking videos and photos.

Note that I upgrade every year so my use case is different, I will be able to move on from this in 12 months.
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.