iPhone Air iPhone Air First Impressions Mega-Thread [MERGED]

[Macdctr]

Thanks, this is helpful. Did you take any photos that were not in great lighting? My decision as to whether or not to keep the Ait is largely going to come down to the camera question.

I plan to take evening pictures with both my 15PM and Air tonight and then will post results. What impressed me with the Air is just how mimimalistic this iPhone is and just how thin and light it is. Clearly for power users, this iPhone is not the one to get but I feel for the normal user this iPhone will do a great job.

Yes it has only one set of speakers which does not sound the same as my 15PM does however it is not a deal breaker for me as this is a phone. I can clearly hear phone call audio and can watch YouTube videos without issue.

 

[bevsb2]

Can I ask how you’re finding using the Air with one hand after owning a pro? This is my only concern as my 15 pro feels the limit size wise for one handed use and worried the air will be too big. Thanks!

I'm coming from a 16Pro to the Air. I have it in an Apple clear case which adds to the width. I'm a female with average size hands and I find the Air in the case a little too wide for me to use one handed comfortably - but not enough to return it. I love the Air.

 

[jazzpolizei]

Sorry, posted in error!

 

[itsboi]

Experiencing some lagging when on FaceTime and just multitasking. When I tried to change wallpapers, it was stuttering hard and I could feel the plateau heating up.

 

[DDustiNN]

I asked this question to the OP, if you have a moment maybe you could answer it as well as you have gotten to hold the Air:

Question about the sides and comfort level of holding.

My big complaint on the last few iphones I have had, including the 16 Pro I now have, is that it is very uncomfortable to hold due to the flat sides and right angle sharp edges on the sides. The sides literally dig into my palm and fingers. This was never the case with older phones that had the rounded sides such as the 11. How are the sides on the Air? Are the sides and side edges any more rounded? Or is it still the same feel as the 16, 15, 14, etc?

It’s very smooth and comfortable. And surprisingly “grippy”.

The 17 Pro feels quite nice but in a different way. It just feels super soft and smooth, also very comfortable to hold.

 

[MaxVerstappen]

My first impressions after 3 days.

Pros:
Thinness
Weight
Build quality

Neutral:
Battery
Size (I wish it was a bit smaller)

Cons:
Speakers

Overall: 9/10

 

[ab2c4]

It’s very smooth and comfortable. And surprisingly “grippy”.

The 17 Pro feels quite nice but in a different way. It just feels super soft and smooth, also very comfortable to hold.

Thank you for your input. Do you by chance know if the regular 17 also has an improved feel and edges compared to the 16?

 

[Cryates]

Photos taken with the Air, edited in Lightroom.

 

[DDustiNN]

Can I ask how you’re finding using the Air with one hand after owning a pro? This is my only concern as my 15 pro feels the limit size wise for one handed use and worried the air will be too big. Thanks!

I have always preferred the smaller sized Pro phones for easier one-handed usage. I tried the Pro Max a few years ago and hated it. Way too big and I returned it immediately.

When I picked up the Air, in addition to the insane lightweight feel, I also immediately noticed the width and could tell it was wider than what I’ve been using for so many years. BUT… maybe the thinness helps? Because I’m having no trouble at all. I went to a music festival yesterday and did plenty of texting to meet up with friends, navigated apps and took plenty of pictures and videos, etc. And it was perfectly comfortable, never once feeling too big.

Bonus… the battery wasn’t even down to 50% yet after being at a concert for 8 hours. I brought the MagSafe battery just in case, since this would be an example of a long day with no access to chargers… but I didn’t even need to use it at all. I was shocked. I’m fully confident in the battery life for my usage.

 

[DDustiNN]

Thank you for your input. Do you by chance know if the regular 17 also has an improved feel and edges compared to the 16?

I did not check out the base 17 and have also never looked at the 16. I’ve always done Pro, but the Air won me over this year.

 

[ab2c4]

I did not check out the base 17 and have also never looked at the 16. I’ve always done Pro, but the Air won me over this year.

Thank you for the info.

 

[robotphood]

Are you using the grip on a naked phone or a case? I’ve had cases with them and loved them, but if I get the Air I plan to not use a case

I’ve pretty much been using phones naked since the iPhone 4. The only thing I wish they did was make some colors that matched (other than black). It’d be nice for a minimalist look. I am debating on getting the white snap 5 for my sky blue air. But I’m worried it’s not going to work on all my wireless chargers.

 

[dizmonk]

View attachment 2552859
My initial impressions echo yours. Blown away by the feel of this device, thinner and lighter feeling than I was expecting. The polished titanium retains that premium feel and look that I had with my 14PM, and was a key driver of my choosing the Air. If the Air didn’t have ProMotion, though, I would have got a Pro as that’s the one feature I would not give up.

Performance has been excellent for me, and I feel iOS 26 runs like an absolute dream on the Air. Better than on my 14PM and I thought iOS 26 ran amazing on that. I don’t do anything that stresses the phone, so my usage isn’t going to be pushing the A19 Pro very hard. The Air did get a bit toasty during the first 10 minutes of the initial setup, noticeably just below the camera plateau, but since then it’s been cool and calm.

The camera is perfectly fine. I’ve taken a few casual shots in both standard and portrait and they’re fine for my needs. I use a Nikon Z6II with various lenses for more serious photography, so the single camera was least of my concerns. I haven’t tested video yet. Below is a very casual shot taken from the sofa post-setup - not a particularly compelling photo as an example but the rest of the test photos were of my wife without makeup and I value my life so I won’t use one of those.

View attachment 2552870
I have had Pro Max devices since the XS Max, which I consider the first “pro max” iPhone. They’ve slowly become bigger and bulkier, but have always had the premium design and materials. The shift back to aluminium this year really put me off, and I don’t mind admitting that design and materials matter as part of my decision matrix. With the Air, Apple has excited me again with design, with something that feels fresh and different, is clearly premium in its materials and design, and which balances its compromises in a way that works for me.

I completey agree with you. I can work with the lesser battery life.The one concern for me is the lack of lenses and the fact I can't shoot in RAW.

 

[dizmonk]

It's just initial but I had to give my 4 cents.

1. The most striking thing about the phone is the weight and I feel thats not talked about enough. It is feather light in the hand and you don't really feel much when holding it. I like the blue color I got as its subtle View attachment 2552910

2. The speakers are just fine and not an issue at all. If you need stereo speaks 4 inches from each other that are the size of a corn kernel then cool.

3. The screen looks better than my 16 pro max when side by side which is a plus but no idea why.

4. It's thin but still feels good in the hand and not slippery.

5. The shape and design makes me feel like it needs a MagSafe wallet or nice leather case

6. The camera even though it's a single lens is really good. I noticed that I only really used the one lens and the different modes so I am fine.

7. last is that it feels like an iPhone of old and not a phone trying to keep up with bigger is better and I like that. In the pocket it gets lost also. Like you have to check to see which one you put it in.

I agree with everything you said especially #1. People focus on the thinness but I think the benefit is the reduced weight and bulk. The camera is a hard one to decide on though

 

[Webcat86]

I’ve pretty much been using phones naked since the iPhone 4. The only thing I wish they did was make some colors that matched (other than black). It’d be nice for a minimalist look. I am debating on getting the white snap 5 for my sky blue air. But I’m worried it’s not going to work on all my wireless chargers.

This is my thinking too, a grip in the middle would prevent wireless charging

 

[dizmonk]

It’s noticeably less bright than my 15 pro max.

I have the exact opposite experience.

 

[macbookj0e]

just got back from the shop, and couldn’t resist buying the Air.

The camera looks great from what I could tell, lots of zoom still.

But the blacks I saw were really scratched and the woman helping me said they’re aware of the issue with them. She also told me it isn’t just the black air but all the dark colours this year, and showed me a dark blue Pro with the same issue.

So I went for the blue Air, as I am planning to try this phone without using a case.

After visiting my local store yesterday I noticed the black air, blue and orange 17 pro’s were all scratched on the back. The black base 17 was fine.

I put it down to heavy handling by the masses but maybe it’s more of an issue that I thought. Will be interesting to see if this is a “thing” this year…

 

[bidwalj]

Is it accurate?

They’re extremely subtle. I quite liked the gold, the titanium edges show the gold when the light lets it (the sales person suggested I hold them under the table in the shop and it made a difference), but I’d be hard pushed to call it “gold” overall

I will test it out while using my old pro max. See if there is a difference

 

[robotphood]

This is my thinking too, a grip in the middle would prevent wireless charging

To clarify I don’t have any issues with wireless charging with the snap 4 and I have 4 different wireless chargers and it works with my anker MagSafe battery pack as well. The 5 is 0.5mm thicker and they only guarantee charging with their own charger. It’s removable though since it doesn’t come with adhesive like the 4. But I prefer not to pull it on and off.

 

[Webcat86]

To clarify I don’t have any issues with wireless charging with the snap 4 and I have 4 different wireless chargers and it works with my anker MagSafe battery pack as well. The 5 is 0.5mm thicker and they only guarantee charging with their own charger. It’s removable though since it doesn’t come with adhesive like the 4. But I prefer not to pull it on and off.

How does it attach without adhesive?

 

[macbookj0e]

I have always preferred the smaller sized Pro phones for easier one-handed usage. I tried the Pro Max a few years ago and hated it. Way too big and I returned it immediately.

When I picked up the Air, in addition to the insane lightweight feel, I also immediately noticed the width and could tell it was wider than what I’ve been using for so many years. BUT… maybe the thinness helps? Because I’m having no trouble at all. I went to a music festival yesterday and did plenty of texting to meet up with friends, navigated apps and took plenty of pictures and videos, etc. And it was perfectly comfortable, never once feeling too big.

Bonus… the battery wasn’t even down to 50% yet after being at a concert for 8 hours. I brought the MagSafe battery just in case, since this would be an example of a long day with no access to chargers… but I didn’t even need to use it at all. I was shocked. I’m fully confident in the battery life for my usage.

View attachment 2555341

Thanks for your post. I too am not a fan of big phones. Had the 6S Plus and loved it when I went smaller with the 7.

One-handed use is probably the most important factor for me but hearing you sound similar and are getting on with the air gives me hope. I love the look of it otherwise. I’m considering using a snap grip which should help if I’m struggling with one hand.

Great to hear of your battery also. I’m not a massively heavy user so think it should be fine for me in that regard too.

Thanks again!

 

[dizmonk]

After spending some time with the Air, I feel like the speaker issues are slightly overblown. The mono speaker is definitely not as good as the stereo pair on my wife's 17 Pro. But for what I use a phone speaker for (the occasional YT video at home, IG reels, etc.), it'll more than suffice. I'd LOVE the stereo sound for sure, but your ear quickly adapts to the sound, even when watching in landscape mode.

The camera is my biggest issue. It'll be fine for most scenarios in my life. But I know at some point I'll encounter a situation where I wish I had ultra wide. And it feels kinda dumb to have to go back to physically adjusting yourself to get that wide shot. But the bulk of my pics are of my cat, car, sneakers and family--hardly material that requires what the Pro models offer. Again, I'd LOVE those features and I wouldn't say no to them. But I'm not sure if not having them is a dealbreaker. After all, how many times do I take an ultra wide shot? Not nearly as much as I lug my phone around all day.

Battery life should be fine for me. I'm never too far from a charger at home or in the car, so that isn't a concern of mine. For an upcoming long travel day to Hawaii I'll just buy the MagSafe battery and call it a day. Every other trip there I've had to charge on the plane with my Pro Max models, so there isn't much difference there to me.

I'm still on the fence between the Air and the 17 PM I have yet to pickup. But if I'm being honest, the battle is with what I think I might miss. The reality is that the Air could easily be lived with, compromises and all. The question is do I want to compromise or not.

I agree with a lot of this. I went back and looked at the "Favorites" in my Photo library to see how many of my best pics were taken with anything other the main camera. Most were taken with the main camera BUT... many of them were taken in RAW, which I can't do with the Air. I'm not sure whether that's a dealbreaker or not.

 

[robotphood]

How does it attach without adhesive?

Thicker/stronger magnets. Just like a MagSafe pop socket.

 

[Webcat86]

Thicker/stronger magnets. Just like a MagSafe pop socket.

Oh cool. might have to give that a go

 

[Cryates]

I agree with a lot of this. I went back and looked at the "Favorites" in my Photo library to see how many of my best pics were taken with anything other the main camera. Most were taken with the main camera BUT... many of them were taken in RAW, which I can't do with the Air. I'm not sure whether that's a dealbreaker or not.

Do you shoot RAW for the purpose of editing? You could also try an app like Halide with its zero-processing mode to get essentially the same mode.