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

[surferfb]

My conspiracy theory is that the Air isn’t a test run for the fold; it’s a test run for becoming the “standard” phone (like how the MacBook Air is the “standard” laptop).

Bookmark this so you can laugh at me next year when I’m clearly wrong, but I’m thinking in fall 2026 we get the Fold, Pro Max/Pro, and Air (this time with two cameras and two speakers). The “18” takes the place of the “e” phone the following spring.

 

[maka344]

My conspiracy theory is that the Air isn’t a test run for the fold; it’s a test run for becoming the “standard” phone (like how the MacBook Air is the “standard” laptop).

Bookmark this so you can laugh at me next year when I’m clearly wrong, but I’m thinking in fall 2026 we get the Fold, Pro Max/Pro, and Air (this time with two cameras and two speakers). The “18” takes the place of the “e” phone the following spring.

The leaks already talk about an XL Air in 2027. I think you’re right. Just like the 13” and 15”MBA. The Pro’s I suspect will be aimed at true Pro users, just like the MBP. I think the Air line will be the best selling iPhone, eventually, just like the MBA.

 

[LordArchie]

I am beginning to feel like such a waffler... I had the Air initially, then went and got a Pro Max (orange) Bought a few cases for the PM, thinnest is the Pitaka Ultra thin..

Can't believe I'm saying this but I may actually return the PM and get another Air...My daily work wear is generally nice trousers or chinos, the PM in the pocket is just too much.

I'll mull it for a day or two, but at this point I may well be going back to Air...

I'll add... the Cosmic Orange has never really grown on me..Maybe it's just me, but I'm not feeling it.

 

[dolf]

I am loving mine, but am very concerned about battery life after a couple days. We’ll see how it does over the next week or so, but I’m kinda 50/50 on exchanging it for a regular 17. Like the post above says, it’s not very exciting, but a great package overall.

Just wanted to follow up that battery life was pretty unimpressive at first, but it is definitely getting better. I think it’s going to be fine and, like someone else mentioned above, the regular iPhone 17 likely wouldn’t be much better.

Otherwise, the Air is still a pleasure to use. Ordering a thinner case as soon as I have 100% decided to keep it.

 

[tolili alert]

Yesterday, only about 2 hours with 5G (that charge at 11am was a 5 min test in my car):

Friday working the afternoon shift (5G for about 10 hours that day):

I still think Safari drains more battery than it should and I would say crappy Apple Intelligence drains more battery than it should…

It’s clear that 5G drains the battery faster than wifi. Maybe even +25% difference per day with similar use and talking about my personal scenario (not so good 5G reception at work). But I have to say once again that the Air has much better cellular reception than my old 13PM. Much better.

For me, is key to leave the Air charging while I sleep. With the 13PM (when it was new) I didn’t have to do this, but… I really don't care whether I leave my phone on the table or on the magsafe charger (I bought it a few days ago) on the table.

In short, I consider the Air's battery to be good, considering that at least 5 hours of SOT fall every day.

 

[Geert76]

Yesterday, only about 2 hours with 5G (that charge at 11am was a 5 min test in my car):
View attachment 2564723


Friday working the afternoon shift (5G for about 10 hours that day):
View attachment 2564724


I still think Safari drains more battery than it should and I would say crappy Apple Intelligence drains more battery than it should…

It’s clear that 5G drains the battery faster than wifi. Maybe even +25% difference per day with similar use and talking about my personal scenario (not so good 5G reception at work). But I have to say once again that the Air has much better cellular reception than my old 13PM. Much better.

For me, is key to leave the Air charging while I sleep. With the 13PM (when it was new) I didn’t have to do this, but… I really don't care whether I leave my phone on the table or on the magsafe charger (I bought it a few days ago) on the table.

In short, I consider the Air's battery to be good, considering that at least 5 hours of SOT fall every day.

why would you need 5G? 4G is not fast/good enough? I don't know why I should use 5G, It drains much faster than a 4G connection.

 

[tolili alert]

why would you need 5G? 4G is not fast/good enough? I don't know why I should use 5G, It drains much faster than a 4G connection.

I've thought about trying 4G sometimes, yes. I could give it a try.

But with 13PM I always used 5G and I just kept doing the same thing.

 

[justmadeupname]

I think the better question is... what is your use case?

Thanks for the video.

My use case is around 1 or sometimes 2 hours on cellular doing email YouTube podcasts. Music listening to songs on my phone (not streaming). Also no instagram or Facebook. I don’t take many pictures or video I’d say in general a light user then.

 

[wba1990]

I am beginning to feel like such a waffler... I had the Air initially, then went and got a Pro Max (orange) Bought a few cases for the PM, thinnest is the Pitaka Ultra thin..

Can't believe I'm saying this but I may actually return the PM and get another Air...My daily work wear is generally nice trousers or chinos, the PM in the pocket is just too much.

I'll mull it for a day or two, but at this point I may well be going back to Air...

I'll add... the Cosmic Orange has never really grown on me..Maybe it's just me, but I'm not feeling it.

Your not alone mate - returned my Air and went back to my 14P - but I really do miss the form factor and weight and extra screen estate

I’ll probably get an Air again, but might just give it a few months

 

[maka344]

Your not alone mate - returned my Air and went back to my 14P - but I really do miss the form factor and weight and extra screen estate

I’ll probably get an Air again, but might just give it a few months

Why would you get it again in a few months if you’ve returned it?

 

[nepalisherpa]

Why would you get it again in a few months if you’ve returned it?

Apple might add an extra camera and a speaker by then. 🤣

 

[wba1990]

Why would you get it again in a few months if you’ve returned it?

I wasn’t 100% certain on it, and was at the end of the 14 days, now I’ve had a week back with my 14P I do miss having the Air

 

[LordArchie]

Your not alone mate - returned my Air and went back to my 14P - but I really do miss the form factor and weight and extra screen estate

I’ll probably get an Air again, but might just give it a few months

I think once someone spends time with the Air, its hard to go back .

Return initiated, order booked.

 

[stanza.richi]

I think that the Air seems again an Apple
product, something that is missing since iPhone X. I cannot explain better, but it’s probably related to how slim it is and about rounded edges that remind me of iPhone 6-7-8.

For me, after one week, is still a big yes.

And about battery, yesterday I used 50% for 12 hours shift with 3 h and 22 minutes of screen time. I think that my previous 14 PM, with 100% battery after AC+ replacement, was just a little bit better.

 

[imp3rator]

Put off from cahrger at midnight - and 0% till morning - air was upside down so no always on display

 

[tolili alert]

I am completely in line with what is said in this video.

 

[Cedo_]

Alright, it’s been a couple of weeks since launch date, honeymoon phase is largely gone. Here are some quick thoughts.

• Form factor is just incredible, even with the thin case offerings. Screen size is perfect.
• Camera is completely fine, takes great shots for me. I do miss not having to step a few feet back to adjust my pictures, but it’s not a terrible inconvenience.
• Battery life is also fine. I am a power user, and I only find myself topping up once a day. Normally when I get home from work, I put it on the charger for about 20-30 minutes, and it’ll last me the rest of the night. The only problem I have with the battery is during video calls, it drops significantly.
• Speaker is fine 90% of the time. Lack of double speaker is unfortunate if I want to really sit down and watch something long, but the volume gets loud enough for me to not mind it too much.
• Disappointed that the colors are muted, would have loved to see two tone color options, with titanium being one color, and the glass another.
• Performance seems good, I don’t game heavily on my phone, so I don’t notice any overheating or stuttering issues.

Overall it’s definitely worth the $400 I paid out of pocket for it. I don’t really miss my 16PM that much, the tradeoffs are worth it for a phone that makes me think fondly of the iPhone X.

 

[LordArchie]

Alright, it’s been a couple of weeks since launch date, honeymoon phase is largely gone. Here are some quick thoughts.

• Form factor is just incredible, even with the thin case offerings. Screen size is perfect.
• Camera is completely fine, takes great shots for me. I do miss not having to step a few feet back to adjust my pictures, but it’s not a terrible inconvenience.
• Battery life is also fine. I am a power user, and I only find myself topping up once a day. Normally when I get home from work, I put it on the charger for about 20-30 minutes, and it’ll last me the rest of the night. The only problem I have with the battery is during video calls, it drops significantly.
• Speaker is fine 90% of the time. Lack of double speaker is unfortunate if I want to really sit down and watch something long, but the volume gets loud enough for me to not mind it too much.
• Disappointed that the colors are muted, would have loved to see two tone color options, with titanium being one color, and the glass another.
• Performance seems good, I don’t game heavily on my phone, so I don’t notice any overheating or stuttering issues.

Overall it’s definitely worth the $400 I paid out of pocket for it. I don’t really miss my 16PM that much, the tradeoffs are worth it for a phone that makes me think fondly of the iPhone X.

Solid review, I’ll be back on “Team Air” tonight. Love the 17PM but after the Air, it’s like a huge brick

 

[xxFoxtail]

I am completely in line with what is said in this video.

I don’t really care for the guy, but it was refreshing watching a review from just a regular person's perspective. I don’t care about benchmarks or how well it can make YouTube videos.

 

[levels]

I am completely in line with what is said in this video.

Yup, this really sums it up for people who care about the experience of how it feels to hold the phone. People who go caseless every year understand this very well. If you put a huge case on w screen protector, and it doesn’t bother you at all, this isn’t the phone you.

 

[LordArchie]

I am completely in line with what is said in this video.

Excellent and I agree 100%... thanks for that

 

[Meedoss]

Thought about it, but use the .5 and 5 x zoom a lot. Work too.

 

[bill-p]

Thanks for the video.

My use case is around 1 or sometimes 2 hours on cellular doing email YouTube podcasts. Music listening to songs on my phone (not streaming). Also no instagram or Facebook. I don’t take many pictures or video I’d say in general a light user then.

You should be fine. On light days, my Air lasts well past 24 hours and approaches 40+.

Even during heavy days, I typically can get 10 hours of screen-on time while not having to baby the phone. I use it regularly now for morning Teams meetings (can go up to 2 hours), daily music listening in car or with bluetooth ear buds, and occasional photos of things I want to show my wife.

If anything, Air has lasted longer than my old iPhone 14 Pro Max doing all of those things. I have rarely needed to top it up except if I'm in a hurry and I did not charge the phone the night before.

 

[DW3]

Been using my Air since release date. Overall still happy with the phone.
Pros:
Screen Size- 6.5” is perfect imo. Bigger screen but easily usable with one hand.

Form Factor- the thinness is cool. Like I said in an earlier post, reminds me of the X/XS phones. Super dope.

Camera- solid, usable, gets the job done

Cons:

Battery isn’t great like we all knew. I was in Miami over the past week. Taking my phone off the charger at 7:30 every morning, by 5pm I was hovering around 55% I would charged it until it hit around 80-85% to make sure I could make it through the evening. By 1am it was usually about 15-20% by the time got back to my hotel room. Some days it was worse. I’d say if you have the air, get the battery pack or get the Pro 😂. I will say using the Apple MagSafe Charger the correct way is 🔥. The few times I used it all day, I was able to go into the second day before I had to charge it.

Camera- can’t lie I miss the zoom more than I thought I would. 😂

Overall it’s a 7.5/10 for me. If it was cheaper it would be rated higher for me, but in reality I spent $1k for less features, but I’m actually enjoying the phone.

 

[nepalisherpa]

Been using my Air since release date. Overall still happy with the phone.
Pros:
Screen Size- 6.5” is perfect imo. Bigger screen but easily usable with one hand.

Form Factor- the thinness is cool. Like I said in an earlier post, reminds me of the X/XS phones. Super dope.

Camera- solid, usable, gets the job done

Cons:

Battery isn’t great like we all knew. I was in Miami over the past week. Taking my phone off the charger at 7:30 every morning, by 5pm I was hovering around 55%. By 1am it was usually about 15-20% by the time got back to my hotel room. Some days it was worse. I’d say if you have the air, get the battery pack or get the Pro 😂. I will say using the Apple MagSafe Charger the correct way is 🔥. The few times I used it all day, I was able to go into the second day before I had to charge it.

Camera- can’t lie I miss the zoom more than I thought I would. 😂

Overall it’s a 7.5/10 for me. If it was cheaper it would be rated higher for me, but in reality I spent $1k for less features, but I’m actually enjoying the phone.

I am so confused by your post. You say the battery isn't great, but, you also say that you take it off the charger at 7:30 in the morning and by 1am the next morning, it is at 15-20%? That's about 18 hours. That's not good enough?