Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone Air iPhone Air First Impressions Mega-Thread [MERGED]
- Thread starter Geert76
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
whiskycycle
Contributor
Just picked up a space black Air on a whim, justifying the purchase with needing something for my left hand while the 17 Pro is in the other hand!
It's really a lovely bit of kit and I'm acutely aware of the "issues" it seems some bring up, but I can't help wanting to keep touching it. Nice Shieldon orange leather case on it, keep that "why did Apple make it orange?" theme going from the 17 Pro.
It's really a lovely bit of kit and I'm acutely aware of the "issues" it seems some bring up, but I can't help wanting to keep touching it. Nice Shieldon orange leather case on it, keep that "why did Apple make it orange?" theme going from the 17 Pro.
lpolarityl
macrumors 6502a
Macdctr
macrumors 68000
I have had my Space Black Air since launch and have 113 charge cycles on it with 100% battery health. Still love the thin and light form factor of this iPhone every time I am using this device.
c613m
macrumors 6502
Still at 100% after 1 cycle lol.
Jokes aside, I got tired of my 16 Pro Max, have had the biggest Pro iPhone available since they became available. With the deals on the Air, I decided it was time for something new. I'm not a huge "Pro" user, I don't game, I take basic photography...etc, and I always ended the day with over 50% battery left. Seemed like a good fit. I brought my son to get a new battery at the Apple Store last week, and it was the first time I picked up the Air, and was immediately in awe. After a few days, saw a deal with my carrier and pulled the trigger and received it yesterday.
First impressions: Holy crap this is comfortable, powerful and light! I have a ton of portable batteries as well, so battery shouldn't be an issue. Also, the Alum Aramid Carbon Fibre case on this thing is sick. (I had one on my Pro Max and it's the next best thing to being naked).
Jokes aside, I got tired of my 16 Pro Max, have had the biggest Pro iPhone available since they became available. With the deals on the Air, I decided it was time for something new. I'm not a huge "Pro" user, I don't game, I take basic photography...etc, and I always ended the day with over 50% battery left. Seemed like a good fit. I brought my son to get a new battery at the Apple Store last week, and it was the first time I picked up the Air, and was immediately in awe. After a few days, saw a deal with my carrier and pulled the trigger and received it yesterday.
First impressions: Holy crap this is comfortable, powerful and light! I have a ton of portable batteries as well, so battery shouldn't be an issue. Also, the Alum Aramid Carbon Fibre case on this thing is sick. (I had one on my Pro Max and it's the next best thing to being naked).
Macdctr
macrumors 68000
I have had my Space Black Air since launch and have 113 charge cycles on it and still at 100% battery health. Even with it’s so called “compromises”, my Air has been fantastic to use as my primary iPhone. I have several opportunities to keep my Air charged up, car magsafe mounts, battery packs and wired power sources when home so running low on charge levels have never been a problem for me. The audio when taking phone calls or watching YouTube videos have not been an issue either however I have AirPod Pro3 ear buds that I use if I require better audio so this has worked out perfectly for me. Lastly, the A19 Pro processor having one less GPU core compared to the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max . . . never been an issue for me while using my Air. Even when tasking the CPU with many background processing, yes it does warm up but has never been an issue for me.
People became skepticle regarding the Air because of the many poor reviews from several YouTube content creators who placed their opinions based on their preferred use cases. Based on my long term usage of the Air, I would say if a person who uses their iPhone for “normal tasks” such as phone calls, texting, internet browsing on the go, watching YouTube videos, and light gaming (solitaire, sudoku, mojong), and desire a more simple direct point and shoot camera . . . I think the Air would be the perfect iPhone for them.
The single 48 megapixel Fusion camera, although not perfect, takes exceptional quality pictures for what it is. I was impressed by the quality of the pictures I have taken using this iPhone but this is my experience using my Air for 11 months now. Even now whenever I pick up my Air next to my 15 or 16 Pro, I am amazed by just how thin and light this device is as well as how nice the display looks when using it. 👍🏽
James6s
macrumors 68020
Welcome to the Air side of iPhone! What colour did you get?
Agree 💯 thin, powerful, light and a premium gorgeous design 🖤
c613m
macrumors 6502
That's awesome to hear. I think as I get older and want to also spend less time on screen, that this was the right move. I definitely watched a lot of Youtube videos before pulling the trigger, and I'd have to say that most of their uses are simply not meant for the Air from what I could gather.
Once I held this thing at the Apple Store, I knew that it was a good match. Still can't get over how light this thing is. Why have I been killing my hands for all these years! Even just laying in bed at night I typically watch a Youtube video or two, and with the Pro Max once handed was doable but got uncomfortable quick. Last night I did the same with the Air and was in shock again at just how light it is in comparison. Crazy how much of a difference there is.
Thank you! I also got the space black, and with this case: https://www.amazon.ca/Aulumu-A17-Co...243204&sprefix=aulumu+air,aps,206&sr=8-6&th=1 it's perfect. I typically put a screen protector on my phones, but I think ceramic shield 2 is much better than previous versions, so I'm still debating whether I should or not.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Macdctr
macrumors 68000
Before getting my Air I was using my 15 Pro Max and in comparison the Pro Max weighs like a brick compared to my Air. Before getting my Air I was always in the frame of mind that having the Pro Max was the only way to go for fear of missing out (FOMO) so I have always stayed with this form factor. Even though progressive generations of the Pro Max kept getting bigger and heavier as a result. Finally when the Air came out I wanted to go with this form factor even though many of the YouTube content creators were crapping on this device.
What I have found out is just how underrated this iPhone was because of these YouTube content creators and realized for the average user, if they wanted to have Pro features such as the A19 Pro processor and 12GB RAM, as well as a premium feel of the titanium frame, this iPhone was perfect. The 12 mini and 13 mini, like the Air were also underrated iPhones and I now understand why those users are so loyal to them. I have since gotten myself a Green 256GB 13 mini to try out and use this device as my backup iPhone because I really love just how small and compact this iPhone is yet it provides flagship level performance for a 13 series iPhone and runs iOS 27 Developer Beta firmware perfectly well in today's use.
Last edited:
James6s
macrumors 68020
Best colour! I haven’t put a screen protector on mine and so far the screen is still like new after over 3 months.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Macdctr
macrumors 68000
All it takes is one careless move and you end up with a scratched display panel. I learned this the hard way with my iPhone X many years ago. Since then, I have always placed a screen protector on my display panel no matter Apple's claim of scratch resistant coating on their newer screens.
As much money as these iPhones are costing these days, the last thing I want to live with is having my iPhone scratched up or dented.
With all the actual work I do on my phone (including hotspot and constant phone calls), I should probably have a pro phone. I just don’t want one.
I’ve been on iOS 27 beta since day one, which has increased wear and tear.
Looks like most of us are on track to be around 90% health at 500 cycles which should mean roughly 80% at 1000 cycles. I’ll definitely be upgrading to an Air 2 if it doesn’t get cancelled.
If I found a screen protector that beat the combination of clarity, oleophobic coating, and anti-reflection that the iPhone Air factory glass has, I'd probably put it on, as long as it's not super thick and adds noticeable weight. But I haven't found one yet, so I prefer to just risk leaving my Air naked. I've found the durability is extremely good, and I don't drop my things often, so at most I might end up with some very light scratches and nicks by the time I need an upgrade in several years, which doesn't bother me. I treat my devices like tools so I don't feel the absolute need to keep them pristine. And I usually keep my devices for the long haul, so I'm not worried about resale value. But if I do end up selling it and take a little hit because of some scratches, that's ok too. I've never gotten a cracked screen before, and I've never used cases or screen protectors (except for a short stint with a Pro Max), but if I got a crack then I would just get it repaired (out of pocket, I don't believe in insurance for most things). So the only risk for me is possibly losing a few bucks, which is unlikely, but I'm much more bothered by haziness, oil, or glare on the screen when I'm using my phone. As always, everyone is different.
Last edited:
James6s
macrumors 68020
The current Ceramic Shield 2 on the Air (And all the 17 series) is the most scratch resistant yet, far stronger the iPhone X… check out some durability tests, especially Jerry Rigg’s Air test.
I get it, It’s hard to get it in your head that you don’t actually need a screen protector (unless you’re absolutely careless) then you may need one lol
I did try screen protectors but the Air is so thin and light that it added bulk and the added 20g+ weight was noticeable.
The Air demands to be used naked, I don’t baby it and so far there isn’t a mark on the screen at all.
Macdctr
macrumors 68000
That's what Apple claims and I have seen this as well however I have learned not to trust blindly and will continue adding a protective sacrificial screen protector to protect my investment. All it takes is one time and you are now forced to live with the imperfection. I'm not willing to do this going forward.
You can choose to use your air naked so to speak, it's your choice and your device. I have no problem protecting my air and compared to my other devices know my devices will remain in their original pristine condition. The added weight so to speak is irrelevant as my Air is still light compared to my "naked" 17 Pro Max which is a brick in comparison.
Last edited:
James6s
macrumors 68020
I get it, each to their own ✌️
I’ll probably be here complaining of a scratch or chip in the screen at some point lol
SR Steve
macrumors regular
I intended to go without a case or screen protector but ended up applying both, although neither seems to detract from the svelte qualities of the Air. The Totallee Scarf did its job last week when I dropped my phone onto the concrete and the case suffered a cracked corner, along with a slight mark left on the ROXX NEO screen protectors edge, but the phone survived without so much as a scratch. The mark on the protector was easily erased, and smoothing out the scuffed surface of the case left only a faint crack as evidence of the accident... surprisingly more durable than I would have imagined.
I'm still loving the size and weight, can usually go 2 to 3 days between 80% charges and currently am at Cycle Count 37 with Battery 100% remaining. The speaker is fine for phone calls and anything else utilizes earbuds. I do miss the additional cameras on my 15PM and will upgrade next year if the Air 2 gets more.
This is all the phone I need and will not be going back to the brick.
I'm still loving the size and weight, can usually go 2 to 3 days between 80% charges and currently am at Cycle Count 37 with Battery 100% remaining. The speaker is fine for phone calls and anything else utilizes earbuds. I do miss the additional cameras on my 15PM and will upgrade next year if the Air 2 gets more.
This is all the phone I need and will not be going back to the brick.
Last edited:
I stopped using cases from iPhone 7 and beyond.
My iPhone X screen looked like I buried it in sand once a week. It was shocking. I took great care of that phone but the glass was weak.
My iPhone Air looks so great after a year of carelessness. These phones are durable.
My iPhone X screen looked like I buried it in sand once a week. It was shocking. I took great care of that phone but the glass was weak.
My iPhone Air looks so great after a year of carelessness. These phones are durable.
Macdctr
macrumors 68000
Just enjoy your Air for what it is. I completely understand why you would want to enjoy it without anything on it. I get it. The Air looks so awesome without all the protective stuff on it. I just want to keep mine looking as pristine as the day I first saw it out of it's box.
I take mine out of it's case from time to time just so I can enjoy mine 🙂
James6s
macrumors 68020
The best feeling… I do occasionally use the aramid Mous case which is only 1mm thick, it’s as close to naked feel as you’ll get with a case.
The vast majority of the time it’s completely naked.