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

[Brettka7]

Same. I'm not sure I've ever loved a phone more.

I don't really compare it with smartphones, as they are such different animals.

For what it was, when it was, the RAZR is pretty unmatched in my book.

I remember all the clones, and they all looked and felt like cheap copies compared to the RAZR. It was a best-seller for a very good reason.

 

[dizmonk]

I would love to change my mentality to where this was my relationship with my phone camera. I always approach a phone camera as though I’m trying to get the highest-quality, professional photos I can. As a side effect, I let the memorable moments pass me by because I’m always looking for the dramatic photo.

Nothing is more fun than going through a shoebox of old childhood photos and being able to place myself in those settings again as if it was yesterday. And those photos mostly look like ass in quality haha.

I have pictures of myself at the Grand Canyon from 2007 that were taken on a disposable camera. They look fake in the best way possible. Why am I worried about these minor bumps in quality.

Can you clarify? I think I understand what you mean but I'm not sure. My main concern about keeping the Air is not being able to shoot in RAW and losing the telephoto and ultrawide lenses. Many of my best pictures came from those lenses and I'm not going to buy a regular camera anymore.

 

[Cryates]

Can you clarify? I think I understand what you mean but I'm not sure. My main concern about keeping the Air is not being able to shoot in RAW and losing the telephoto and ultrawide lenses. Many of my best pictures came from those lenses and I'm not going to buy a regular camera anymore.

Clarify what, exactly? You may have quoted the wrong post.

 

[stanza.richi]

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I’ve never stopped loving the RAZR and I’m glad to have a non-Android alternative to tickle the itch! Pro iPhones got boring to me.

RAZR 😍 what memories!!

 

[dizmonk]

Clarify what, exactly? You may have quoted the wrong post.

Sorry never mind.

 

[sleeptodream]

11. The camera has three stops or crops, 2X (52 mm), 1.4X (35 mm), and 1X (26 mm). Historically I haven't used 1X all that much, going with 2X or 3X if I needed the zoom. I have used 0.5X (ultrawide) plenty. I never owned a Pro Max phone. I guess I'll find out how much I miss the ultrawide.

I like that it has the 35mm crop built in, its my favorite focal length!

You can also enable a 28mm in the camera settings, and even change the default focal length, which is pretty cool for those that don’t like the effects of the wide angle lens

 

[Sanlitun]

The original plan for our phones this year was that I was going to take my Wife's 16 PM and that she would go to the 17 PM. I'm coming from a 15 PM so I am happy for any upgrade I can get. After seeing the YouTube coverage of the Air I felt I had to take a look at it. I was getting tired of the bigger phones and with the 17 PM being an absolute orange metal block it's clear that upgrade path was closed for me.

A couple of thoughts I haven't seen discussed relative to upgrading from a 15 PM

- The display is fantastic. The reflectivity and contrast of the Air display is FAR better than the 15 PM. The first thing we noticed while doing the setup and transfer is that the 15 PM blacks seem almost brown in comparison to the Air. The Air display is much more legible because of this. It really pops and it's a huge upgrade from the 15 PM.

- The Air is beautiful. Hands down the best looking phone since the X. There is nothing else on the market even close in regards to aesthetic.

- The Air got really hot during the transfer process and gets a bit warm even when idle and plugged into the charger.

- It's faster than the 16 PM and far faster than the 15 PM. Of course it isn't on par with the 17 PM, it's not supposed to be.

- The speaker isn't as bad as this thread says. It's fine for calls but if you are playing music or need very high speaker call volumes look elsewhere. I'm ok with the speaker and the majority of those with this phone will probably be using Air Pods.

- I don't know where I am with the battery, but it's still my first 24 hours. It took about 30% just to do the setup. It's like 1% to walk into the bathroom, another 2% to go to the bathroom etc. I'm leaving it plugged into the charger for most of today until it finishes indexing and cloud downloads and then I will test it. I just checked it and the plateau is cool to the touch so maybe it has completed the setup and I can test the battery in earnest. I'm not interested in using the battery pack, may as well get the 17 pro as stick a big battery on the back of the Air.

- The camera. This is the only real drawback. The camera is fine for what it is but it will take some adjustment to technique especially if you use Macro mode.

All in all I am happy with the Air. The only thing that might change that is if I feel that the camera is unusable for me and I assume I will have time to sort that out during the return period.

 

[dizmonk]

The original plan for our phones this year was that I was going to take my Wife's 16 PM and that she would go to the 17 PM. I'm coming from a 15 PM so I am happy for any upgrade I can get. After seeing the YouTube coverage of the Air I felt I had to take a look at it. I was getting tired of the bigger phones and with the 17 PM being an absolute orange metal block it's clear that upgrade path was closed for me.

A couple of thoughts I haven't seen discussed relative to upgrading from a 15 PM

- The display is fantastic. The reflectivity and contrast of the Air display is FAR better than the 15 PM. The first thing we noticed while doing the setup and transfer is that the 15 PM blacks seem almost brown in comparison to the Air. The Air display is much more legible because of this. It really pops and it's a huge upgrade from the 15 PM.

- The Air is beautiful. Hands down the best looking phone since the X. There is nothing else on the market even close in regards to aesthetic.

- The Air got really hot during the transfer process and gets a bit warm even when idle and plugged into the charger.

- It's faster than the 16 PM and far faster than the 15 PM. Of course it isn't on par with the 17 PM, it's not supposed to be.

- The speaker isn't as bad as this thread says. It's fine for calls but if you are playing music or need very high speaker call volumes look elsewhere. I'm ok with the speaker and the majority of those with this phone will probably be using Air Pods.

- I don't know where I am with the battery, but it's still my first 24 hours. It took about 30% just to do the setup. It's like 1% to walk into the bathroom, another 2% to go to the bathroom etc. I'm leaving it plugged into the charger for most of today until it finishes indexing and cloud downloads and then I will test it. I just checked it and the plateau is cool to the touch so maybe it has completed the setup and I can test the battery in earnest. I'm not interested in using the battery pack, may as well get the 17 pro as stick a big battery on the back of the Air.

- The camera. This is the only real drawback. The camera is fine for what it is but it will take some adjustment to technique especially if you use Macro mode.

All in all I am happy with the Air. The only thing that might change that is if I feel that the camera is unusable for me and I assume I will have time to sort that out during the return period.

Yea you pretty much summarized my thoughts and experience... We've all got a week and a half to make a final decision.

 

[mlayer]

I like that it has the 35mm crop built in, its my favorite focal length!

You can also enable a 28mm in the camera settings, and even change the default focal length, which is pretty cool for those that don’t like the effects of the wide angle lens

Another commenter pointed this out (thanks btw) so I added it right away. I also prefer the 35 mm (1.4x) setting so I set it to the default, allowing me to go up or down as I wish. Though TBH I'm not sure I have much use for 28 mm compared to 26 mm.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Earlier today as I was retrieving the Air from my pocket and set it on my computer desk, I saw the always on display. Seeing that got me thinking that I really don't have a need for the screen to be on all the time. I went into settings and saw the 'Raise to Wake' feature, which I had forgotten about (it was already toggled on). I decided to turn off AoD. I didn't do it because I was running out of battery prematurely. I did it because I really don't need to see my display all the time and turning it off will save unnecessary battery drain. Granted, the drain loss wasn't going to be a staggering amount but, having the 'Raise to wake' feature on, should be ample.

You may want to keep AoD on but, thought I would mention in case this small tip may be of benefit to someone else.

 

[Macdctr]

I took these pictures of my 15 Pro Max just to show how well this Air takes pictures close up. The camera controls of this iPhone is awesome!

I then changed the focus point so the reflection would blur (bokeh) and captured this

For an iPhone not in the Pro series lineup but having an A19 Pro processor (although one less GPU core), I have been pleasantly satisfied with how this phone has been performing. Yes I understand that it does have it's compromises such as the one less GPU core, one set of speakers, and less battery life but after using my new iPhone I'm still at 53% battery life.

For me this is not bad as all. I have absolutely no regret in getting this iPhone.

 

[Webcat86]

I took these pictures of my 15 Pro Max just to show how well this Air takes pictures close up. The camera controls of this iPhone is awesome!

I then changed the focus point so the reflection would blur (bokeh) and captured this

For an iPhone not in the Pro series lineup but having an A19 Pro processor (although one less GPU core), I have been pleasantly satisfied with how this phone has been performing. Yes I understand that it does have it's compromises such as the one less GPU core, one set of speakers, and less battery life but after using my new iPhone I'm still at 53% battery life. For me this is not bad as all. I have absolutely no regrets in getting this iPhone.

Great photos! How did you do the bokeh and what zoom were you using for these?

 

[Jakimo]

Love the Air

My only disappointment? Apple’s claims on the glass are simply not true. In pocket, on desk - nothing unusual.. and the screen is scuffed quite noticeably - bad one near the front camera and a bunch in one corner

So it turns out screen protectors are still absolutely needful if you want the glass to stay scuff-free

 

[Macdctr]

Great photos! How did you do the bokeh and what zoom were you using for these?

Just used my camera app on my iPhone Air. I changed the focus point to the titanium frame and the camera adjusted automatically presenting that view. If you see in the previous picture the screen is clear and you can see my glass clearly but the titanium frame is blurred.

 

[Webcat86]

Love the Air

My only disappointment? Apple’s claims on the glass are simply not true. In pocket, on desk - nothing unusual.. and the screen is scuffed quite noticeably - bad one near the front camera and a bunch in one corner

So it turns out screen protectors are still absolutely needful if you want the glass to stay scuff-free

“still”? I’ve never used a protector on an iPhone and they’ve had nothing more than micro scratches. They’ve all been in cases, but no screen covers.

 

[Macdctr]

Love the Air

My only disappointment? Apple’s claims on the glass are simply not true. In pocket, on desk - nothing unusual.. and the screen is scuffed quite noticeably - bad one near the front camera and a bunch in one corner

So it turns out screen protectors are still absolutely needful if you want the glass to stay scuff-free

Yeah, when putting my new iPhone in my pocket I make sure there's nothing else in that pocket to avoid any unnecessary scratches on the phone. I will be getting a new Pitaka carbon fiber case and screen saver for my new phone so I can keep this one just as pristine as my 15 Pro Max is.

I always have a case of some kind on my iPhones especially these newer ones as you shell out so much more money just to get them. I for one would like to keep mine in the best shape that I can.

 

[Webcat86]

Yeah, when putting my new iPhone in my pocket I make sure there's nothing else in that pocket to avoid any unnecessary scratches on the phone. I will be getting a new Pitaka carbon fiber case and screen saver for my new phone so I can keep this one just as pristine as my 15 Pro Max is.

I’ve been hearing about the Pitaka, may have to check it out. I’d like something for the Air but not that compromises the thickness.

 

[jedivulcan]

I took these pictures of my 15 Pro Max just to show how well this Air takes pictures close up. The camera controls of this iPhone is awesome!

I then changed the focus point so the reflection would blur (bokeh) and captured this

For an iPhone not in the Pro series lineup but having an A19 Pro processor (although one less GPU core), I have been pleasantly satisfied with how this phone has been performing. Yes I understand that it does have it's compromises such as the one less GPU core, one set of speakers, and less battery life but after using my new iPhone I'm still at 53% battery life.

For me this is not bad as all. I have absolutely no regret in getting this iPhone.

I love that sticker on your 15 Pro Max. Gave me a chuckle.

 

[MaxVerstappen]

Great video showcasing the 2 best looking iPhones of all time: Air and the X

Time stamped:

 

[Macdctr]

I love that sticker on your 15 Pro Max. Gave me a chuckle.

Yeah . . . I tend to get these stickers and place them on my laptops and iPhones. You just never know what comments or looks you receive when people notice them

 

[Macdctr]

Great video showcasing the 2 best looking iPhones of all time: Air and the X

Time stamped:

seeing your post reminded me to get my iPhone X and original iPhone out so I could make the comparison of the three iPhones. My original iPhone is tiny and bulky compared to what we now have today.

I will be getting the 20th anniversary iPhone when it comes out to complete my iPhone collection

 

[obserixr]

Had the phone for a few hours and love this upgrade from my 15 Pro. Only thing I will say is it does seem a bit laggy, but guessing it’s cause I’ve spent most of the day restoring from back up. Outside of that no complaints!

 

[Vaporbaked94]

I think the Air is gonna work out perfectly fine for my usage. Especially since I’m intentionally using it more than I would normally.

 

[turbineseaplane]

seeing your post reminded me to get my iPhone X and original iPhone out so I could make the comparison of the three iPhones. My original iPhone is tiny and bulky compared to what we now have today.

I will be getting the 20th anniversary iPhone when it comes out to complete my iPhone collection

All that device size growth, yet my hands are the exact same size as in 2007.

😞

 

[Fraud Goblin]

Earlier today as I was retrieving the Air from my pocket and set it on my computer desk, I saw the always on display. Seeing that got me thinking that I really don't have a need for the screen to be on all the time. I went into settings and saw the 'Raise to Wake' feature, which I had forgotten about (it was already toggled on). I decided to turn off AoD. I didn't do it because I was running out of battery prematurely. I did it because I really don't need to see my display all the time and turning it off will save unnecessary battery drain. Granted, the drain loss wasn't going to be a staggering amount but, having the 'Raise to wake' feature on, should be ample.

You may want to keep AoD on but, thought I would mention in case this small tip may be of benefit to someone else.

I think the AoD is defaulted to off on the Air. At least when I got mine it was off.