Honestly why would one even listen to opinions that are contrary to their own?
MKBHD, Linus from tech tips, Mrwhoistheboss are not icons to listen to their opinion. They are not the ones who would be paying money for that phone, or using it for 3-7 years in advance.
If you like the device - just go, buy, use and enjoy.
To me personally it feels like a very beta product. And if Apple was to go “2010” they should have killed baseline 17 model and 16e, instead they are still selling those useless devices and giving people wide choice, so people would naturally compare and see Air as worse, literally “budget in soul” option. In fact, they could have made it 800-900$ to cover costs of low-tier iPhones and it would still sell well.
I love thin devices but not a fond of iPhone Air. So many disadvantages I just cannot close my eyes on. While I would have probably lived normally with single 48MP camera, I want and need two speakers because I often use them and kinda used to stereo audio on iPhones, AirPods are not my choice unfortunately.
Also I don’t get why Apple limited 4k120 to Pro iPhones, as well as no vapor chamber on Air. It would have totally made sense and battery life would have been better as well