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

[Apple_Robert]

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.

According to your own words, the battery lasted all day for you and you still counted that as a con? Unless you misspoke, that reasoning doesn't make sense. If you retort is 'my Pro/ Pro Max ended the day higher at x%', that wouldn't be a valid retort.

 

[imp3rator]

 

[rui no onna]

View attachment 2565803

Nah. The Pro's more like this:

 

[levels]

Nah. The Pro's more like this:

View attachment 2565808

I wouldn’t use the Cybertruck as analogy when they touted it as “dent-proof” only to be dented right away when Elon tried to prove it, doesn’t work well in this case haha.

 

[DW3]

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?

It was a typo. I had to put in on the charger before I went out for the night

 

[DW3]

According to your own words, the battery lasted all day for you and you still counted that as a con? Unless you misspoke, that reasoning doesn't make sense. If you retort is 'my Pro/ Pro Max ended the day higher at x%', that wouldn't be a valid retort.

It was a typo, I edited the original post. I would plug in the charger around 5pm for about 30 mins or until the phone would reach about 80-85% to make sure I would have enough juice to get me through the evening.

 

[odvan]

I checked all new iPhones several times in the store. Really puzzled. I've never considered Air, but it's the most good looking iPhone, and size fits good to my hand.

I wanted 17 Pro Max initially, upgrade from 13 Pro, I thought about bigger screen because I spent 4 hours daily in my phone and that's the only thing I want to change.

But now you have Air which bigger than Pro, but has small battery life and other compromises like single camera, single dynamic.

So it's really puzzling and confusing what to get. Battery isn't an issue at the start, but in 2-3 years you will have 85% from initial capacity, more battery consuming ios version, etc. From the other hand unless you are on vacation, long trip without charging (Mountain hike) you don't really need big battery life. And even on vacation you can use power bank if needed or power phone from laptop.

 

[sguser]

Just wanted to report after 2 weeks with Air (previously was with 16P). Very happy with my Air choice. I don't miss the cameras at all. The single speaker is fine (I don't use the phone to watch movies or play music on speakerphone).
I use the phone naked. Every time I take the phone, it is such a refreshing feeling.

 

[xxFoxtail]

I decided to get an iPhone Air today, gave myself a couple weeks after using it in person to see if I really wanted one or not. After a few hours of use, I think I like it a lot. I had a thin Peel case on my 14 Pro, I'm debating whether on if I want another one or try to use the Air case-less for a while.

First impressions. It's a bit hard for me to grip. I'm not sure if it's because the sides are a little slippery, or if I need to get used to it being so thin. I'm sure that Peel case would help with this, but I’m also sure it'll make the phone look pretty cheap as well. I almost bought an Apple bumper for it today, though from what I’m reading about it, no one seems to like it all that much.

Anyone have any recommendations? I want a thin case, mainly for grip. But I don’t want anything that will make the phone look too cheap.

 

[thatJohann]

I decided to get an iPhone Air today, gave myself a couple weeks after using it in person to see if I really wanted one or not. After a few hours of use, I think I like it a lot. I had a thin Peel case on my 14 Pro, I'm debating whether on if I want another one or try to use the Air case-less for a while.

First impressions. It's a bit hard for me to grip. I'm not sure if it's because the sides are a little slippery, or if I need to get used to it being so thin. I'm sure that Peel case would help with this, but I’m also sure it'll make the phone look pretty cheap as well. I almost bought an Apple bumper for it today, though from what I’m reading about it, no one seems to like it all that much.

Anyone have any recommendations? I want a thin case, mainly for grip. But I don’t want anything that will make the phone look too cheap.

I find it way grippier without a case cause the glossy sides become sticky and prevents the phone from slipping. Try to get used to it before spending on a case. That’s my advice.

 

[rui no onna]

First impressions. It's a bit hard for me to grip. I'm not sure if it's because the sides are a little slippery, or if I need to get used to it being so thin. I'm sure that Peel case would help with this, but I’m also sure it'll make the phone look pretty cheap as well. I almost bought an Apple bumper for it today, though from what I’m reading about it, no one seems to like it all that much.

Anyone have any recommendations? I want a thin case, mainly for grip. But I don’t want anything that will make the phone look too cheap.

Don’t get the Apple bumper. It’s even more slippery than the naked phone.

Personally, I like the feel of silicone or rubber-textured cases so I tend to get those. Granted, I value comfort far more than aesthetics.

 

[dizmonk]

I decided to get an iPhone Air today, gave myself a couple weeks after using it in person to see if I really wanted one or not. After a few hours of use, I think I like it a lot. I had a thin Peel case on my 14 Pro, I'm debating whether on if I want another one or try to use the Air case-less for a while.

First impressions. It's a bit hard for me to grip. I'm not sure if it's because the sides are a little slippery, or if I need to get used to it being so thin. I'm sure that Peel case would help with this, but I’m also sure it'll make the phone look pretty cheap as well. I almost bought an Apple bumper for it today, though from what I’m reading about it, no one seems to like it all that much.

Anyone have any recommendations? I want a thin case, mainly for grip. But I don’t want anything that will make the phone look too cheap.

Smartish Amazon

 

[kepler20b]

after 2 weeks, ive used the MagSafe battery twice


once because I decided I didnt want to drain the battery below 30%, I would've made it the whole day anyways.

the other time bc I felt bad about never using it so I put it on at 70%

 

[danpass]

This is a second impression of the Air.

Returned the first Air for lack of ultra wide.

Bought a 17 Pro, returned it for being only a minor update to my 16 Pro.

Missed the Air the whole time.

Got this Air that I’m typing on now and kept my 16 Pro lol.

I’ve ordered a Nomad Traditional Leather case as it seems to keep the spirit of the Air while keeping the camera lens off the surface.

Another thing that works for that is a Moft Wallet Stand or a Moft Tripod stand. Even folded they’ll keep the lens raised from the surface.

I’m loving the typing on the Air screen.

Battery life is on par with my 16 Pro so I’m fine there. I bought the Air MagSafe battery anyway because it’s so cool. Interesting note with that … the Air feels great with it or without it.

 

[Honey_crisp]

Don’t get the Apple bumper. It’s even more slippery than the naked phone.

Personally, I like the feel of silicone or rubber-textured cases so I tend to get those. Granted, I value comfort far more than aesthetics.

Which silicone/rubber texture cases would you recommend? Apple doesn’t have any soft texture material options for the Air this year.

 

[rui no onna]

Which silicone/rubber texture cases would you recommend? Apple doesn’t have any soft texture material options for the Air this year.

This is the case I got. You can find plenty of cases similar to it. I like it because it has a soft smooth rubbery feel. We've used similar cases for the SE3, 16e, 15 Pro, etc. This particular shade seems to bring out the blue in the Sky Blue Air.

SUPFINE Magnetic for iPhone Air Case (Compatible with MagSafe)(Military Grade Drop Protection) Slim Translucent Matte Shockproof with Anti-Fingerprint Phone Cover for 17 Air 2025,Blue Purple

SUPFINE Magnetic for iPhone Air Case (Compatible with MagSafe)(Military Grade Drop Protection) Slim Translucent Matte Shockproof with Anti-Fingerprint Phone Cover 2025,Blue Purple

www.amazon.com

 

[Apple_Robert]

after 2 weeks, ive used the MagSafe battery twice


once because I decided I didnt want to drain the battery below 30%, I would've made it the whole day anyways.

the other time bc I felt bad about never using it so I put it on at 70%

Keep in mind the MagSafe Battery Pack is a battery extender not a battery charger. That is what sets it apart from third party apps and makes it superior, not to mention it controls heat output much better.

 

[James6s]

I find it way grippier without a case cause the glossy sides become sticky and prevents the phone from slipping. Try to get used to it before spending on a case. That’s my advice.

I find the Air is more grippy than other iPhones, especially the aluminium ones.
It’s always a little worrying first using a new iPhone naked out the box but the Air isn’t slippy at all IMO. A joy to hold.

 

[SmugMaverick]

I doubted the air and bought the 17 pro but then I returned it because it’s still so stale.

I held the air in store and watched real world reviews(not spec obsessed YouTubers) and now I have one in space black.

Everything that’s been said is true, it’s like holding a sheet of glass, futuristic, feels amazing and looks incredible.

This is by far the most exciting and future feeling iPhone since the iPhone X.

The camera is superb, battery is great and the display is perfect.

I have owned every pro since the 11 Pro and I find the Air to be my favourite in a long long time.

It’s a joy to use and I can’t wait to see if iPhone 20 is just this but with more cameras

 

[xxFoxtail]

I find it way grippier without a case cause the glossy sides become sticky and prevents the phone from slipping. Try to get used to it before spending on a case. That’s my advice.

Yeah that's what I’m doing right now. Ironically having my MagSafe wallet on the back to make it a little thicker makes it a lot easier to hold.

Edit: I ended up ordering the Peel Magnetic case. It's the case I’ve been using on my last few iPhones. I have no complaints with it, I’ll have to see how it looks with the Air.

 

[Gdwheel]

Which silicone/rubber texture cases would you recommend? Apple doesn’t have any soft texture material options for the Air this year.

I really like Apple's Air Magsafe Case. I do not usually like cases, but it feels great. I have the shadow on a black Air.

 

[B.A.T]

I picked up a 512GB Cloud White Air last night. Coming from a 5 year old launch day 12 mini. My first impressions.

1. There are basically two colors black and white. The gold and blue are white as far as my eyes could tell in the store last night.
2. Air fits in my pocket about as easy as my mini did.
3. I could hear the speaker of the Air as it played a video game quite well in the noisy store and my hearing isn't the best.
4. in 5 years with the mini I never used the ultra wide camera and the camera on the Air looks great.
5. For an extra $200 I'm getting 50% more ram than the baseline phone (which is also a great phone for some people).
6. The large screen is a blessing for my eyes (I'm 58) and typing is much easier than with the mini (obviously).
7. iOS 26 looks pretty great on the Air.
8. Liquid Glass was made for this phone and this design style is the future. Apple may kill the Air (which I doubt) but this design style is here for awhile.
9. This is the right phone for me.

 

[Abazigal]

You know, it's kinda weird that the 17 air gets more ram over the normal iPhone 17 when the latter has the better cameras. Maybe it's a package deal with the camera plateau design? I really don't know.

 

[C8XY]

Grabbed the iPhone Air 512GB in White today. Feels like the Steve Jobs era iPhones for me. Finally a phone that feels a bit special.

 

[rui no onna]

You know, it's kinda weird that the 17 air gets more ram over the normal iPhone 17 when the latter has the better cameras. Maybe it's a package deal with the camera plateau design? I really don't know.

Likely more to do with the A19 Pro.