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iPhone Air iPhone Air First Impressions Mega-Thread [MERGED]
- Thread starter Geert76
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Standard Iphone level i would say. 20hrs and 100% gone with 7hr screen on time and 12 hrs of screen off.
The same was true for all the previous Pro and regular models except Plus and Pro Max having it at 9-10hrs or more.
I don't think that will happen. Apple is doing the same thing they did with the mini. Apple wants more people to buy the more expensive phones.
After having mine for a few days I thought I'd add my two pence:
The iPhone Air had been stuck in my head for weeks. The last piece of consumer electronics that did that was the PSP 20 years ago. As silly as it sounds it was the lowering of the front camera that got me. It makes the display so much more immersive despite only being 2-3mm lower. Having all the electronics in the plateau is a genius idea because it contains all the heat too. I've only experienced it getting warm during setup as you would expect but the heat was well away from my hands.
The larger screen size without the weight is really nice. Its so much lighter than even large plastic Android phones like the Nothing devices. I came from a 16 though so it doesn't feel any lighter by that comparison. Even with a case you still notice the lack of bulk. It makes the 17 Max feel like you're carrying a tin of soup in your pocket. When its in your pocket you really, really notice the lack of mass and weight though. Due to the wider distribution its like no other phone I've ever owned in that respect.
The 3 'difficiencies' really aren't. The battery is fantastic, easily as good as the 16 I upgraded from. All phones have crappy speakers, the Air just has one instead of two which isn't a loss at all. The single camera requires a little adjustment but on the most part its fine. There was a time phones never had a 0.5x lens and we made do then! Panorama mode exists for wide shots; manual camera apps like Halide take great macro images.
In all, coming from the 16 I've lost the ability to take quicker wide-angle shots and gained a better battery, a larger 120hz display, centre stage, AOD, double the storage, stronger magnets (or so it seems) and much faster performance over an already fast phone.
The iPhone Air had been stuck in my head for weeks. The last piece of consumer electronics that did that was the PSP 20 years ago. As silly as it sounds it was the lowering of the front camera that got me. It makes the display so much more immersive despite only being 2-3mm lower. Having all the electronics in the plateau is a genius idea because it contains all the heat too. I've only experienced it getting warm during setup as you would expect but the heat was well away from my hands.
The larger screen size without the weight is really nice. Its so much lighter than even large plastic Android phones like the Nothing devices. I came from a 16 though so it doesn't feel any lighter by that comparison. Even with a case you still notice the lack of bulk. It makes the 17 Max feel like you're carrying a tin of soup in your pocket. When its in your pocket you really, really notice the lack of mass and weight though. Due to the wider distribution its like no other phone I've ever owned in that respect.
The 3 'difficiencies' really aren't. The battery is fantastic, easily as good as the 16 I upgraded from. All phones have crappy speakers, the Air just has one instead of two which isn't a loss at all. The single camera requires a little adjustment but on the most part its fine. There was a time phones never had a 0.5x lens and we made do then! Panorama mode exists for wide shots; manual camera apps like Halide take great macro images.
In all, coming from the 16 I've lost the ability to take quicker wide-angle shots and gained a better battery, a larger 120hz display, centre stage, AOD, double the storage, stronger magnets (or so it seems) and much faster performance over an already fast phone.
I’ve got an Air coming in the next few hours, and a month long to test it out!
Woooooohoooooooooo!
Coming from a 15 plus and a base 13.
Woooooohoooooooooo!
Coming from a 15 plus and a base 13.
I heard someone call it the Porsche 911 of phones the other day and cannot agree more. Does it do everything a phone could possibly do? No. But… it is a truly joyful experience, especially “naked”. I LOVE it.
I have always been a Pro Max user because I wanted the biggest battery and the highest tier specifications. Moving to the Air (from the 16 Pro Max) made me realize that many of those wants were not actual needs. I will miss the ultra wide camera occasionally, but that happens only a few times a month. In contrast, I hold my phone dozens of times a day, and the comfort of this device makes a greater impact than I expected.
The screen did not feel like a downgrade at all. The size feels perfect, and combined with the light weight, it became the main reason I returned the 17 Pro after testing it. I could not make it two full days with the 17 Pro. It felt dense and cramped, while the Air feels effortless.
Every other phone now feels like a brick. I cannot stress enough how exciting this design is. It is the first phone since the X, and before that the 4, that genuinely feels refreshing. It is simply an amazing piece of technology, and I truly hope Apple keeps it in the lineup. That is how much I enjoy using it.
The cameras are perfectly fine, the battery life is decent, especially, with a charger nearby or a battery bank, the speaker is perfectly serviceable (for everything by music), and the overall experience is excellent. This is easily the most enjoyable phone I have used in years.
I have always been a Pro Max user because I wanted the biggest battery and the highest tier specifications. Moving to the Air (from the 16 Pro Max) made me realize that many of those wants were not actual needs. I will miss the ultra wide camera occasionally, but that happens only a few times a month. In contrast, I hold my phone dozens of times a day, and the comfort of this device makes a greater impact than I expected.
The screen did not feel like a downgrade at all. The size feels perfect, and combined with the light weight, it became the main reason I returned the 17 Pro after testing it. I could not make it two full days with the 17 Pro. It felt dense and cramped, while the Air feels effortless.
Every other phone now feels like a brick. I cannot stress enough how exciting this design is. It is the first phone since the X, and before that the 4, that genuinely feels refreshing. It is simply an amazing piece of technology, and I truly hope Apple keeps it in the lineup. That is how much I enjoy using it.
The cameras are perfectly fine, the battery life is decent, especially, with a charger nearby or a battery bank, the speaker is perfectly serviceable (for everything by music), and the overall experience is excellent. This is easily the most enjoyable phone I have used in years.
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2 days of using the Air and I’m sold. The Max experience without the Max weight.
Yes I will miss the ultra wide camera when we are on vacation, but I’ll live.
I still can’t get over the light weight and thin form. Truly disappointing this phone is getting so much hate.
Yes I will miss the ultra wide camera when we are on vacation, but I’ll live.
I still can’t get over the light weight and thin form. Truly disappointing this phone is getting so much hate.
Naked. Apple Clear Frost Case is good, if you don’t want to use it naked.
I use a cheap jtech case and I love it!! It covers all of the phone and is extremely minimal, just barely thicker then the phone, I think it is .06mm which is very thin for a case and covers the whole camera and has MagSafe.
If I’m feeling fancy I use a komodity wooden case that is also extremely thin and has MagSafe, but is made of wood and looks amazing, it is pretty crazy tech how they made it too. It doesn’t cover all of the sides though and is more open because it is made from wood but covers it enough to keep from damage. I like having both options, the clear Apple case doesn’t cover it all either.
If I’m feeling fancy I use a komodity wooden case that is also extremely thin and has MagSafe, but is made of wood and looks amazing, it is pretty crazy tech how they made it too. It doesn’t cover all of the sides though and is more open because it is made from wood but covers it enough to keep from damage. I like having both options, the clear Apple case doesn’t cover it all either.
I have had my Air since the launch day and I am still loving it. The battery gets me thru a full day and even now that I have my Apple Watch Ultra 3 paired with it, it has made it a great combo package. I have also learn to adapt to the single speaker and haven't had any issues using the speakerphone on calls. I have seen al the negative stuff posted about the Air, but I knew it was a niche device when I bought it and haven't regretted my decision yet.
I think that the questions and answers are:
- do you want top cameras? Pro or Pro Max;
- do you want top battery? Pro Max (or Air + MagSafe Battery pack if you may need it just some days of the years);
- do you want best price? 17;
- do you want best looking and less weighting with a good camera and battery? Air.
That’s my opinion and that’s why I picked up and still feel satisfied with my gorgeous Light Gold Air 😎
So just as I said before, Gurman has said today that the delayed/cancelled rumours are TRASH and it was always going to come out in spring 2027.
The Air has met their expectations and the Air 2 will be even better.
It was obvious from the fact it was called iPhone Air and NOT 17 Air.
Would love an Air in natural titanium.
The Air has met their expectations and the Air 2 will be even better.
It was obvious from the fact it was called iPhone Air and NOT 17 Air.
Would love an Air in natural titanium.
I just came from my local Apple Store and got to fondle the Air. Wow! Looks/feels awesome. Ridiculously thin and light too. My 16 Pro Max is still new so I won't be changing phones again but the 18 Air is definitely a possibility for me.
Day 1 iPhone fan here. I just got the white AIR and I am leaving behind a 16 pro max in desert. I pretty much agree with a lot thats been said. I think I went to the Apple Store to see the X when it first came out, but I know I haven't made any attempts to see any iPhone since. Until the AIR. As soon as I held it, I knew it had to be mine. I am also glad it's not being snatched up by the masses. I like to have something a little bit unique. I do agree on the 911 comparison... or even a Rolex. Both suffer from a lack of modern features, yet both are iconic and pure. Yeah but , it's just a phone. Sure I get it, but these things are with us 24/7, so when there is finally a product that gets it right (for the minimalists/design freaks) it's worthy of applause.
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This is typical Apple. They release a version with some but not all of the technologies and add those features in stages in later versions. I expect the Air 2 will be a much improved model but still not complete. Version 3 of the Air will be the one to keep IMHO
I used to be an early adopter but as I've gotten older I have found I no longer have the patience to live with all the little fixes and workarounds needed. Live on the bleeding edge is painful!
That's my biggest complaint with Android. Something is always broken, or gets broken with each update. My wife and kids all have iPhones so I have an iPhone. Path of least resistance.
fairI used to be an early adopter but as I've gotten older I have found I no longer have the patience to live with all the little fixes and workarounds needed. Live on the bleeding edge is painful!
One thing all this new model mishigas has reminded me; I miss my BlackBerries and BB7.
This is only my 3rd day with it and I just can't believe there isn't more hype around this phone. It is , IMO, the nicest cell out there.. it also comes closest top nailing the sweet spot (where form and function meet). I love it. I bet if they priced this phone at $1500, but with an upgraded camera, they would sell and be all the rage. For a lot of people, a high price is the qualification for wanting it. This thing looks and feels way more expensive than it is. Good job apple (finally)..
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I loved my BlackBerries. I didn't get an iPhone until iPhone 5 because I didn't want to give up the real keyboard.
Same here. Those first on-screen iPhone keyboards were awful.