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

I’m at the four week mark now since the Air arrived early on launch day, and absolutely no regrets here. Upgraded from a 14PM and it’s been a breath of fresh *cough* air *cough* having such a light and thin device after the weight of the 14PM.

The slightly smaller screen is not noticeable and I’ve been happy enough with the single speaker for my uses - which is as a speakerphone for audio and FaceTime calls. It’s plenty loud and clear. I don’t listen to music on my phone, I avoid reels and TikTok like the plague, and don’t tend to watch much YouTube or other video content on my phone.

The camera is really good for casual snaps and video of our wee girl. I use my Nikon mirrorless when I want more control and top quality for photos, and if I happen to be somewhere without the Nikon and want more flexibility my wife with her 16 Pro is pretty much guaranteed to be there.

Battery life has been great and is a definite improvement over my 14PM with 84% health. I could count on one hand the number of days I’ve had to top up charge.

I am one very happy camper and wouldn’t change a thing about the Air. I certainly wouldn’t want to sacrifice the thinness for more battery, an extra camera, or an extra speaker. The Air isn’t for everyone but for those like me, it’s a perfect combination and I’m glad Apple has added it to the lineup.
 
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Im going to pick up my Air tomorrow, can’t wait. I really just wanted a change from Pro line of phones. I would have gotten Mini back in the day if it had 120 Hz screen.

My only real concern was the battery life but moving from 16 Pro to Air, I think Im gonna like it.

I use ultra-wide sometimes and with 16 Pro I liked it close up photoes, but taking photos of a room or table, photos felt distorted with ever so slight amount of fish-eye lens effect.

I know Im gonna like the reduced weight and feel of the phone vs any other spec you would put it agains it.

I also have AWU2 now, which I like. But I think Im gonna get regural AW when AWUs battery life is short or when we get flat screen on normal AW. I am going for the minimalist but still luxury route with Apple.
 
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SmugMaverick said:
Its kind of funny watching videos by people like 9to5mac where they bash it because they can’t do all their work on the air(you can btw, they’re just scared to not have a pro), completely ignoring what 99% of actual users use the iPhone for.

the air is the best iPhone since the iPhone X and it’s not even close, it’s a head turner and the future.
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ya a lot of people on tech forums seem to have serious fomo and just tech anxiety in general: future proofing this, future proofing that, im not keeping my phone for 15 years lol
 
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While many people use their iPhone for everything all day long, that is not the case for me. I have multiple Apple products because each product may provide ability the other product doesn't, or provide use in a more seamless manner at a particular moment in time.

In regards to the Air, I primarily use it as a phone device with some light web browsing and some app usage. Should I wish to view videos, log into work, look at forms, or just view the web on a larger screen, I will use my 11" iPad Pro, (which I do use as a mobile device from time to time) my MacBook Air, iMac, or my Apple TV.

The whole point of the Apple ecosystem is to have frictionless experience, that pleases, intrigues, and assist the user with various tasks. The ecosystem doesn't make a one size fits all product because we humans are not natively built that way.

I think too many people on here complain about the Air's lack of 'one size fits all' ability, when the Air was not created for that sole ability. And many of these same people have multiple Apple devices. And when talk turns to the Mac, many of them rightfully say, I need a MBP for the work that I need to get done, while at the same time, denigrating, minimizing, or ignoring the truth that many of them ignore the obvious when it comes to the phone, it really comes down to status for them, not actual seamless use experience.
 
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Apple_Robert said:
While many people use their iPhone for everything all day long, that is not the case for me. I have multiple Apple products because each product may provide ability the other product doesn't, or provide use in a more seamless manner at a particular moment in time.

In regards to the Air, I primarily use it as a phone device with some light web browsing and some app usage. Should I wish to view videos, log into work, look at forms, or just view the web on a larger screen, I will use my 11" iPad Pro, (which I do use as a mobile device from time to time) my MacBook Air, iMac, or my Apple TV.
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For me, I’m using my Air for everything! Social media, emails, web browsing, photography, watching tv and videos etc & it’s doing it all brilliantly. I couldn’t love this device anymore ❤️😃
 
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Very happy with the Air and it’s a work of art that’s a joy to use. No case or screen protector.

Next year, give us two speakers and a telephoto lens please. For those who don’t notice much compromise with the speaker, that’s a blessing. For me, the sound is passable. It’s a smaller speaker that’s doing what it can. Like the guy who said his bravia tv speakers are better than a dedicated sound system…good for you that you can’t tell a difference lol.
 
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James6s said:
For me, I’m using my Air for everything! Social media, emails, web browsing, photography, watching tv and videos etc & it’s doing it all brilliantly. I couldn’t love this device anymore ❤️😃
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Awesome. I remember seeing one of your posts where you swapped to the pro....everything you said still kinda pointed to you switching back haha.
 
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Surprisingly, Samsung cancelled the Galaxy Edge S26 phone in development and is stopping production of the S25 Edge due to lackluster sales. Samsung came at the thin phone concept from a different angle than Apple, since they already released multiple generations of folding phones and used the Edge to attempt to steal the Air's thunder, which it clearly did not. There's an open question about whether the Air will see another generation or make way for Apple's folding phone, which to me would be a strategic mistake. Apple's now the only manufacturer making such a unique product and they should capitalize on that with a marketing push soon. There are different market segments for the two products and should be treated as such.
 
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I picked up an Air. Ended up giving it to my son and getting a 17PM for myself. I use the macro lens a lot in my line of work and the lack of macro on the Air likely would have become problematic for me. If the next Air has ultra wide, I would certainly be interested.
 
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Geert76 said:
aluminium (much softer material, risk of scratches is much, much higher) vs titanium, bigger/heavier than previous models. You are 100% right, not giving up things.
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All solved with a case which is what 99% of people do. Weight is over hyped talking grams not kilos.
 
Gdwheel said:
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.
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I have that one too and like it, but I also miss not having a silicone case after years of having them on my phones.

I found a useable one on Amazon but it’s nowhere as nice as Apple’s.
 
Honey_crisp said:
I have that one too and like it, but I also miss not having a silicone case after years of having them on my phones.

I found a useable one on Amazon but it’s nowhere as nice as Apple’s.
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I'm using the Apple Magsafe case in frost on my Air. I used silicone on my last 2 pros and liked it, but am now happier with the Magsafe frost case which allows me to appreciate the beauty of the Air. Initially I was afraid that it would be too slippery, but it really isn't.
 
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bevsb2 said:
I'm using the Apple Magsafe case in frost on my Air. I used silicone on my last 2 pros and liked it, but am now happier with the Magsafe frost case which allows me to appreciate the beauty of the Air. Initially I was afraid that it would be too slippery, but it really isn't.
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Yes, it feels softer and is more flexible than the hard PC “bar of soap” feeling clear cases of years past. I also like the curved edges as it sits a lot more comfortably In the hand.

That being said, during cold dry months and with kids and dogs I have always found the silicone offered the best grip and peace of mind that it won’t easily slip out of my hands or pocket.

Oh well, I love the Air form factor too much to care this year so I just splurged for AppleCare instead.
 
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Meedoss said:
First? Have had every iPhone since iP5 have never scratched a screen.
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The first mark that you get on a brand device is always the worst one…

It must’ve been something very hard and sharp to scratch the screen.

I’ve had every iPhone since the 3GS and they always ended up with some scratches before smartphone glass got a lot better over the last few years since the introduction of Ceramic Shield.

Durability improved with the 12, 13, 14 & 15 pro’s but had some hard to see micro scratches, iPhone 16 Pro faired better and had no scratches and so far no scratches on the Air, which is currently the most scratch resistant yet version of Ceramic Shield.
 
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Meedoss said:
All solved with a case which is what 99% of people do. Weight is over hyped talking grams not kilos.
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Weight is not overhyped.

For me I have carpel tunnel and have had surgery’s on my hand & the weight difference and how comfortable the in hand feel of the Air is vs the smaller 17 Pro was very noticeable to me, that 40g really made a difference.
 
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James6s said:
Weight is not overhyped.

For me I have carpel tunnel and have had surgery’s on my hand & the weight difference and how comfortable the in hand feel of the Air is vs the smaller 17 Pro was very noticeable to me, that 40g really made a difference.
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Use 2 hands
 
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