Sidebar Sidebar
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]

NvidiaIntelPC said:
The dark blue looks dark and boring in person, and the silver feels dull with a bit of a prototype vibe. I had the orange pre-ordered, which does look nice, but the two-tone finish ruins the design when you move the phone at different angles.
Click to expand...

I actually love the prototype rough look of the silver pro. Not enough to actually buy one though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Geert76
What I don't understand is why Apple crippled a premium device with no pro formats/codecs. The iPhone Air comes with one lens, but should include image Pro RAW and video Apple Log. Those two formats are the only way to get high quality imagery or video out of an iPhone.

Lots of "pro" users and photographers would like a smaller lighter phone which looks better.


On a related note, my goodness the Pro models are ugly this year, both in design terms and Denver Broncos colour scheme.
 
  • Like
Reactions: teh_hunterer and arc of the universe
zenmacx said:
Appears that this first version of Air is a test case to measure public acceptance.

Second gen models may include two cameras, two speakers and a slightly larger display to compete with the Galaxy Edge which currently has a leg up over the iPhone Air.
Click to expand...
Those, plus the next Apple modem with mmWave, and I’m in. The concessions/tradeoffs on this Air was too much to sway me, and I stuck with the pro. If they are able to implement those, I’ll buy it next year. I think it looks amazing, just too much missing for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thmsnt, C. Robert and timeconsumer
How does the Air feel when placed on a table with the plastic case on? Does it feel relatively flat/stable?

That’s my biggest worry coming from an iPhone 15 right now. It lays so nice on a table with the silicon case on it. Hoping the Air will at least feel stable enough on a table.

I get the impression the bumper is defintely not going to feel stable on a table because the camera will be where it rests on.
 
BruiserBear said:
How does the Air feel when placed on a table with the plastic case on? Does it feel relatively flat/stable?

That’s my biggest worry coming from an iPhone 15 right now. It lays so nice on a table with the silicon case on it. Hoping the Air will at least feel stable enough on a table.
Click to expand...
I can confirm that with the Apple clear case, the Air is as solid as a slab of granite on a table or other flat surface. Zero wobble.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: thmsnt, G5isAlive and BruiserBear
C. Robert said:
It's just initial but I had to give my 4 cents.

1. The most striking thing about the phone is the weight and I feel thats not talked about enough. It is feather light in the hand and you don't really feel much when holding it. I like the blue color I got as its subtle View attachment 2552910

2. The speakers are just fine and not an issue at all. If you need stereo speaks 4 inches from each other that are the size of a corn kernel then cool.

3. The screen looks better than my 16 pro max when side by side which is a plus but no idea why.

4. It's thin but still feels good in the hand and not slippery.

5. The shape and design makes me feel like it needs a MagSafe wallet or nice leather case

6. The camera even though it's a single lens is really good. I noticed that I only really used the one lens and the different modes so I am fine.

7. last is that it feels like an iPhone of old and not a phone trying to keep up with bigger is better and I like that. In the pocket it gets lost also. Like you have to check to see which one you put it in.
Click to expand...
Congratulations! Just received the blue and the cloud white. They're both gorgeous and keepers. My only problem is what color do I keep. I posted earlier I love the white but the blue is fabulous too. Thanks for posting a positive review.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: arc of the universe and C. Robert
maerz001 said:
Guess its more of a physiological trick cos of the bigger display.
the weight is the same as the normal 12-16 iphones.
Nobody said they were feather light
Click to expand...
We’re comparing a 6.5” display to 5.8”, it’s not physiological. For the size, it will feel much lighter.

5.8” vs 6.5” is like going from a regular phone to a Plus/Max-size which typically goes hand in hand with a 20% increase in weight. But in this scenario, the weight stayed the same.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: AlexMac89, arc of the universe, Timpetus and 2 others
Joseph C said:
The speaker on my Air is loud and clear. Plays music and video really nicely.

I honestly can barely tell the difference enough to notice, let alone care.

At maximum volume it’s a loud speaker. More than good enough for doomscrolling, YouTube, loudspeaker calls IMO.
Click to expand...
same here with my Air. Ofcourse there's a difference, but for me its minimal. (previous had a 16 Pro)

these mono speaker posts/topics are way overblown.

OP, enjoy your Air! :)

I certainly do
 
  • Like
Reactions: arc of the universe, Timpetus, C. Robert and 2 others
I really wanted an Air because it reminds me of my XS which is by far the best looking/feeling phone I have had...Love the rounded/gloss edges(gloss gives grip in my opinion and I never case my phones). I didn't want to downgrade my cameras though so went with an orange pro...Wish the pro had the same design style as the air..
 
  • Like
Reactions: C. Robert
gigatoaster said:
I wonder if the novelty effect will disappear after 10 minutes, though.
Click to expand...

Sure as all things we get used to it to an extent.

But the weight and thinness is something that I will continue to appreciate. I have an ultra thin laptop and I absolutely love it - not just me, it gets noticed. When I'm out and I'm working on it, people look at it and sometimes comment on it. I think a lot of people are drawn to thin devices - it always looks futuristic. It still feels great to carry and use even though I've had it for tow years.

So I know I will continue to appreciate the design over the long term. BUT that is me, someone who likes ultra thin devices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: karmamule, G5isAlive, profets and 3 others
NvidiaIntelPC said:
Also While I was at the store for about half an hour, I even saw a customer cancel his Pro Max pre-order for the Air, the Air’s design is just so much more premium. the 16 Pro design looked much better and more premium than any of the 17 Pro colors, which come off as utilitarian by design, almost like Apple is intentionally pushing people toward the Air. At this point, the Air feels like the true premium model.
Click to expand...
I recall the Air was rumored to be called Ultra really early on, then Slim, and now Air.
 
colonelbutt said:
The iPhone air is the future of phones. It is the best looking and most premium of all the iPhones. The fact that it has pretty much the same battery life as the 16 and 17 with the pro chip is just icing on the cake. Funnily enough, if you add the extra apple battery it then almost lasts longer then twice the pro, so you effects have two phones in one
Click to expand...

The future is foldable IPhones.
 
I got that holy sh*t feeling when I first picked up the Air. I also have a Pro being delivered later, so we’ll see which one wins out. Air out to a very early lead.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Geert76
evorc said:
I’m so close to canceling my pro max order and get the air instead. I’m not a big camera type of guy and always used my phones naked and prefer thinner phones. Coming from the max 6.9” screen is the downsizing in screen size a big adjustment or did you get used to it right away?
Click to expand...
It’s all about whether you can deal with it psychologically. Some people are drawn to having the “biggest and best” and nothing can get them past that. The Air is not the best spec phone for sure, but it’s probably good enough for the vast majority of people.

It’s a simple trade off. Do you want a light and easier to use phone that is very pretty, or do you want the pickup truck Pro that is a beast to deal with but it can do more.
 
  • Like
Reactions: G5isAlive, evorc and Wags
Just want to say again the Pro Max now feels very big and chunky (and the 17 pros are even thicker).

At this moment in time, I don’t feel like I can use a pro max again as a daily. It has to be air or pro from now on.

Disclaimer: These are my thoughts and feelings as someone who likes thin sleek devices. A few of us are rightly excited about the air but that shouldn’t detract from people wanting to buy the pro - because that’s still the best product with the least compromises.

Please go and see them in store at least if you’re undecided. It’s not the same as having it in your own home free to play with but at least you can get a feel.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: azhava, G5isAlive, profets and 3 others
Cryates said:
I got that holy sh*t feeling when I first picked up the Air. I also have a Pro being delivered later, so we’ll see which one wins out. Air out to a very early lead.
Click to expand...
you will love the Air! 100%

I just check the orange 17 Pro from a friend. I got a lot of FisherPrice vibes from it...haha
He is gonna exchange it for the blue one.
I do not like all of the 3 colors of the Pro series this year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: macbookj0e
BruiserBear said:
It’s all about whether you can deal with it psychologically. Some people are drawn to having the “biggest and best” and nothing can get them past that. The Air is not the best spec phone for sure, but it’s probably good enough for the vast majority of people.

It’s a simple trade off. Do you want a light and easier to use phone that is very pretty, or do you want the pickup truck Pro that is a beast to deal with but it can do more.
Click to expand...

Apple are the masters of this. Make products with really make people choose. I second exactly what you said.

Is a weird situation, normally the decision is pro or pro max and it’s done. This time there is one thing the pro’s don’t have which is aesthetics. And we have to acknowledge, aesthetics has always been a part of the Apple appeal.

And in true Apple fashion, we will eventually ‘upgrade’ to the new iPhone airs with dual speakers and dual cameras.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lowgun84 and sp44
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back