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

[Zaft]

I ordered something similar (Torras clear case). Let us know how you like it!

I already have it. It’s good, has a front lip for the screen and the camera is protected. It’s fine for small drops I assume.

 

[wba1990]

Having spent my first week with the Air on nights at work, I wasn’t really able to get a proper reading on battery as I use my phone a lot more than I normally would when on nights. Yesterday was my first day shift and this is how it looked

50% Battery

10% battery (did push it after it hit 50%)

Next couple of days will be the key deciding if I keep this or not

 

[H@do6xWFeFHtaeb7NdN2]

Can anybody recommend a magsafe charger that supports the "fastest possible charging" for the iPhone air?
Bonus points if it has dual wireless charging for both phone and Airpods Pro 2.



I've gone from an iPhone 14 Pro Max to the iPhone Air.

A downgrade on the camera for me, but not too fussed. Will see if i miss the .5 lens.

It was the weight and slimness of the Air that swayed it for me, with an ever so slightly smaller screen.

Another slight niggle, is the speaker quality in comparison. But again, not too fussed. I can live with it.

Battery isn't really a worry for me. At the moment seem to get a whole day use, in the morning around 30%, then tend to to charge. Not a problem in the grand scheme of things.

I originally bought the Shadow Air Case in store but not a huge fan of the feel and texture.

So i ordered a Spigen Thin Fit (Mag Safe) - much better.

​

 

[Meedoss]

Apple really did a good job on getting people spending $1800aud plus on a phone, and having to live with it 😂

 

[thatJohann]

I still have both the iPhone Air and the 17 Pro here. Close to making a decision...

Here's my logic. I’ve broken it down into two clear factors:

1. Comfort in the hand (Air) → impacts your experience 100% of the time.
2. Camera quality (17 Pro) → impacts your experience maybe 15% of the time.

By weighting these factors, I've essentially run a cost-benefit analysis: if a phone feels wrong in your hand every single time you use it, that’s a constant negative. Cameras, while great, only add value in specific moments. So even though the 17 Pro cameras are objectively better, the daily comfort of the Air has a much bigger impact on your happiness overall.

Put another way:

• Air = consistent joy (comfort every use, plus decent camera).
• 17 Pro = occasional joy (amazing camera, but constant discomfort in hand).

My conclusion is to lean towards the Air, especially since “phone in hand” is the baseline experience so I am prioritizing the factor that affects my daily life most.

Anyone else in the same boat?

 

[daffie]

Very happy with the Air. Been using it heavily last week. SoT has been steady and excellent.

 

[ab2c4]

I still have both the iPhone Air and the 17 Pro here. Close to making a decision...

Here's my logic. I’ve broken it down into two clear factors:

1. Comfort in the hand (Air) → impacts your experience 100% of the time.
2. Camera quality (17 Pro) → impacts your experience maybe 15% of the time.

By weighting these factors, I've essentially run a cost-benefit analysis: if a phone feels wrong in your hand every single time you use it, that’s a constant negative. Cameras, while great, only add value in specific moments. So even though the 17 Pro cameras are objectively better, the daily comfort of the Air has a much bigger impact on your happiness overall.

Put another way:

• Air = consistent joy (comfort every use, plus decent camera).
• 17 Pro = occasional joy (amazing camera, but constant discomfort in hand).

My conclusion is to lean towards the Air, especially since “phone in hand” is the baseline experience so I am prioritizing the factor that affects my daily life most.

Anyone else in the same boat?

This is EXACTLY why I will be switching away from the 16 Pro to the Air. The 16 Pro is so uncomfortable for me to hold I can't stand it, and when I held the Air in the store it just felt good. That is the most important thing about a phone to me, how it feels to hold it. The 16 Pro truly is a powerhouse of a device but its terribly uncomfortable for me to hold and thus kills the experience.

 

[Honey_crisp]

I still have both the iPhone Air and the 17 Pro here. Close to making a decision...

Here's my logic. I’ve broken it down into two clear factors:

1. Comfort in the hand (Air) → impacts your experience 100% of the time.
2. Camera quality (17 Pro) → impacts your experience maybe 15% of the time.

By weighting these factors, I've essentially run a cost-benefit analysis: if a phone feels wrong in your hand every single time you use it, that’s a constant negative. Cameras, while great, only add value in specific moments. So even though the 17 Pro cameras are objectively better, the daily comfort of the Air has a much bigger impact on your happiness overall.

Put another way:

• Air = consistent joy (comfort every use, plus decent camera).
• 17 Pro = occasional joy (amazing camera, but constant discomfort in hand).

My conclusion is to lean towards the Air, especially since “phone in hand” is the baseline experience so I am prioritizing the factor that affects my daily life most.

Anyone else in the same boat?

This is exactly who the Air is for: people who want a bigger screen in a light and thin form factor and value that above other features.

Each phone in the lineup has tradeoffs and it’s about figuring out which ones you’re personally willing to make.

I am glad Apple replaced the Plus with the Air.

 

[Zaft]

This is exactly who the Air is for: people who want a bigger screen in a light and thin form factor and value that above other features.

Each phone in the lineup has tradeoffs and it’s about figuring out which ones you’re personally willing to make.

I am glad Apple replaced the Plus with the Air.

6.5 imo is the optimal size.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

This is EXACTLY why I will be switching away from the 16 Pro to the Air. The 16 Pro is so uncomfortable for me to hold I can't stand it, and when I held the Air in the store it just felt good. That is the most important thing about a phone to me, how it feels to hold it. The 16 Pro truly is a powerhouse of a device but its terribly uncomfortable for me to hold and thus kills the experience.

I moved from the 16 PM to the Air and I'm LOVING it!

 

[tolili alert]

Today is being the best day of battery life for my Air since the day it was launched.

The key is Safari…

Today I’m not using it that much. Today just 50 min for a 9% battery usage. I can’t see past days because all past data disappeared when the week changed…

Yesterday I disabled Apple Intelligence on Safari too…

I'm currently 4 hours SOT, with just 50% battery left. Removed from the charger 9 hours ago.

Although this without leaving home and with wifi all the time.

 

[robotphood]

Can anybody recommend a magsafe charger that supports the "fastest possible charging" for the iPhone air?
Bonus points if it has dual wireless charging for both phone and Airpods Pro 2.

​

Maybe someone else can chime in on this, but to max out the 16P (25W) you had to use the Apple MagSafe + 30w adapter. 3rd party wireless chargers only hit 15W. Not sure if anything has changed since.

 

[dizmonk]

I still have both the iPhone Air and the 17 Pro here. Close to making a decision...

Here's my logic. I’ve broken it down into two clear factors:

1. Comfort in the hand (Air) → impacts your experience 100% of the time.
2. Camera quality (17 Pro) → impacts your experience maybe 15% of the time.

By weighting these factors, I've essentially run a cost-benefit analysis: if a phone feels wrong in your hand every single time you use it, that’s a constant negative. Cameras, while great, only add value in specific moments. So even though the 17 Pro cameras are objectively better, the daily comfort of the Air has a much bigger impact on your happiness overall.

Put another way:

• Air = consistent joy (comfort every use, plus decent camera).
• 17 Pro = occasional joy (amazing camera, but constant discomfort in hand).

My conclusion is to lean towards the Air, especially since “phone in hand” is the baseline experience so I am prioritizing the factor that affects my daily life most.

Anyone else in the same boat?

Yes, and I appreciate the way you're approaching this. I have gone back and forth repeatedly. I can accept some of the trade-offs of the Air. However, the one I'm still struggling with is battery life. I will likely stick with the Air... and hope Apple issues some software updates to tweak improvement. Good luck with your decision.

 

[thatJohann]

Yes, and I appreciate the way you're approaching this. I have gone back and forth repeatedly. I can accept some of the trade-offs of the Air. However, the one I'm still struggling with is battery life. I will likely stick with the Air... and hope Apple issues some software updates to tweak improvement. Good luck with your decision.

The main issue I’m struggling with now is heat management. I keep noticing how warm the air gets under the camera plateau and it’s starting to make me question it.

 

[ctbear]

I still have both the iPhone Air and the 17 Pro here. Close to making a decision...

Here's my logic. I’ve broken it down into two clear factors:

1. Comfort in the hand (Air) → impacts your experience 100% of the time.
2. Camera quality (17 Pro) → impacts your experience maybe 15% of the time.

By weighting these factors, I've essentially run a cost-benefit analysis: if a phone feels wrong in your hand every single time you use it, that’s a constant negative. Cameras, while great, only add value in specific moments. So even though the 17 Pro cameras are objectively better, the daily comfort of the Air has a much bigger impact on your happiness overall.

Put another way:

• Air = consistent joy (comfort every use, plus decent camera).
• 17 Pro = occasional joy (amazing camera, but constant discomfort in hand).

My conclusion is to lean towards the Air, especially since “phone in hand” is the baseline experience so I am prioritizing the factor that affects my daily life most.

Anyone else in the same boat?

How long have you had the Air? I find it uncomfortable after living with it for a week. It’s actually too thin and too wide for one handed use so it felt like a hard postcard constantly digging into my palm. Grip is pretty sus too because of the thinness.

I have the 17 Pro now and it’s more comfortable, albeit with a smaller screen and heavier.

 

[thatJohann]

How long have you had the Air? I find it uncomfortable after living with it for a week. It’s actually too thin and too wide for one handed use so it felt like a hard postcard constantly digging into my palm. Grip is pretty sus too because of the thinness.

I have the 17 Pro now and it’s more comfortable, albeit with a smaller screen and heavier.

That's interesting, I've had the Air for about a week now. I find it very comfortable, especially two-handed since it weighs so little.

In contrast, I haven't found a way to enjoy the hand feel of the 17 Pro. I've tried silicone case, tech woven case, naked and still feels to me so heavy and slippery. Can't figure out why it feels so bad when I've had so many Pros in the past. I am puzzled.

 

[Sanlitun]

After 10 days I still have my Air, and it looks like I will keep it.

- The battery life was initially very concerning, with some big and unexplained drains overnight. After installing the 26.1 Beta and some time going by I now find the stand by drain to have improved. It seems to lose just under 1% an hour sitting on the nightstand.

- It's a fast phone, and the speed and the light weight ergonomic makes it feel very usable and responsive. All of that and the big screen make it a more usable device IMO than anything other than a Pro Max. It's like the light weight gaming mouse of iPhones.

- I'm coming from a 15 PM and the Air is a better phone. If I was coming from a newer device I may see it in a very different light.

- I have the black bumper case on a white Air and it looks fantastic. If Feyd Rautha had an iPhone.

A few more days in the return period.

 

[thatJohann]

After 10 days I still have my Air, and it looks like I will keep it.

- The battery life was initially very concerning, with some big and unexplained drains overnight. After installing the 26.1 Beta and some time going by I now find the stand by drain to have improved. It seems to lose just under 1% an hour sitting on the nightstand.

- It's a fast phone, and the speed and the light weight ergonomic makes it feel very usable and responsive. All of that and the big screen make it a more usable device IMO than anything other than a Pro Max. It's like the light weight gaming mouse of iPhones.

- I'm coming from a 15 PM and the Air is a better phone. If I was coming from a newer device I may see it in a very different light.

- I have the black bumper case on a white Air and it looks fantastic. If Feyd Rautha had an iPhone.

A few more days in the return period.

Have you noticed it getting warmer than usual on 26.1 beta?

 

[Zaft]

Can anybody recommend a magsafe charger that supports the "fastest possible charging" for the iPhone air?
Bonus points if it has dual wireless charging for both phone and Airpods Pro 2.



I've gone from an iPhone 14 Pro Max to the iPhone Air.

A downgrade on the camera for me, but not too fussed. Will see if i miss the .5 lens.

It was the weight and slimness of the Air that swayed it for me, with an ever so slightly smaller screen.

Another slight niggle, is the speaker quality in comparison. But again, not too fussed. I can live with it.

Battery isn't really a worry for me. At the moment seem to get a whole day use, in the morning around 30%, then tend to to charge. Not a problem in the grand scheme of things.

I originally bought the Shadow Air Case in store but not a huge fan of the feel and texture.

So i ordered a Spigen Thin Fit (Mag Safe) - much better.

​

I have this one. Works very good.

Magnetic Wireless Charger Stand by Voice-tank - Effortless Charging

iPhone 15, iPhone 15Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Mini iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Mini iPhone Cases with Mag-Safe for iPhone 11 Ser...

a.co

 

[nepalisherpa]

I decided to give Air a try and while I love everything about it, the speaker is the reason I will be returning it and keeping my 17 Pro. I use my phone for Zoom/Teams a lot and, while the volume was loud enough at max, the treble at higher volume really bothered me. Of course I could use Airpods or headphones, but, I wouldn't want to use them for multiple hours a day. I hope Apple finds a way to integrate a 2nd speaker at the bottom of the phone for future iterations.

The phone is amazing, though! Every time I picked it up to use, it just felt so nice. My 17 Pro feels like a brick.

 

[Sanlitun]

Have you noticed it getting warmer than usual on 26.1 beta?

The opposite. It was always warm under the camera plateau before, and now it stays cool.

 

[thatJohann]

The opposite. It was always warm under the camera plateau before, and now it stays cool.

Interesting. Good to know. Looking forward to it then.

 

[Zaft]

I decided to give Air a try and while I love everything about it, the speaker is the reason I will be returning it and keeping my 17 Pro. I use my phone for Zoom/Teams a lot and, while the volume was loud enough at max, the treble at higher volume really bothered me. Of course I could use Airpods or headphones, but, I wouldn't want to use them for multiple hours a day. I hope Apple finds a way to integrate a 2nd speaker at the bottom of the phone for future iterations.

The phone is amazing, though! Every time I picked it up to use, it just felt so nice. My 17 Pro feels like a brick.

Make no mistake, this is a 1st gen product. Apple will see if it’s successful and will add another camera and speaker.

 

[robotphood]

The main issue I’m struggling with now is heat management. I keep noticing how warm the air gets under the camera plateau and it’s starting to make me question it.

What about it getting warm concerns you? I tried some more demanding games (20-25min) and it does get hot but doesn’t seem to throttle. I’m not going to be gaming with the Air but my 16P got just as hot (~110F) with prolonged gaming. At least the outer shell measured with an IR thermometer. I’d imagine it would throttle or even shut down before any damage occurs like most modern processors.

 

[thatJohann]

What about it getting warm concerns you? I tried some more demanding games (20-25min) and it does get hot but doesn’t seem to throttle. I’m not going to be gaming with the Air but my 16P got just as hot (~110F) with prolonged gaming. At least the outer shell measured with an IR thermometer. I’d imagine it would throttle or even shut down before any damage occurs like most modern processors.

I don’t even game. But feeling the warmth under the camera plateau whereas I feel nothing warm on the 17 Pro is bothering me. I know the pro has the vapor chamber system and the Air doesn’t but still feels weird since I’m just texting not even doing anything intensive. Hoping it’s just the software update from earlier this afternoon causing the warmth right now.