I'm tired of every phone getting slightly thicker because of the people who whinge about battery life. Current iPhone battery life is just fine for the vast majority of people. We don't need a super thin phone, but we also don't need huge bricks because some people are so addicted to social media that they can't put their phones down. Those people can buy MagSafe battery packs so the rest of us can have reasonably-sized phones.
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iPhone Fold to Pave Way for Thinner, Brighter Display on iPhone Air 2
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I'm tired of every phone getting slightly thicker because of the people who whinge about battery life. Current iPhone battery life is just fine for the vast majority of people. We don't need a super thin phone, but we also don't need huge bricks because some people are so addicted to social media that they can't put their phones down. Those people can buy MagSafe battery packs so the rest of us can have reasonably-sized phones.
contacos
macrumors 603
The Fold needs to be thin because once you fold it, the device will be thicker. Folds can store two batteries, one on each half so it doesn't need to be unreasonable thick to get good battery life.
Also not sure why Apple isn't using this device as a "trial run" for carbon batteries
The Game 161
macrumors Nehalem
battery life should be great on the fold hense why they are testing 5400-5800 battery
what makes you think it won't have all that? device isn't out yet but the software will certainly make use of that bigger screen. it will be like an ipad most likely
The cameras would need several millimetres of extra depth. Unfortunately, the polarization layer will be a fraction of a millimetre, I expect
The reduction in screen thickness may also help with foldability/avoid a crease
rchaser
macrumors regular
This is correct. The Air was Apple telling the consumer what they wanted. A % of geeks said “🧟♂️yes…we want.🧟♂️”. Everyone else saw it for what it was: 💩
Battery is the number one reason people upgrade.
The cell phone is mature and Apple was trying to shake it up…but all they were doing was “shaking it”…
tomtad
macrumors 68040
THEORY
There won't be an iPhone Air 2, and there won't be an iPhone 18, or 18 Pro.
But this will be the year Apple moves to using the processor to delineate their phones and will begin this year with the new budget iPhone E, just called iPhone (A19), in March. In September we'll then get the iPhone Pro (A20) and iPhone Fold (A20), this will then be followed by the iPhone 17's replacement, a slighly thicker reworked iPhone Air with dual cameras and speakers, the iPhone Air (A20) in March 2027 alongside the budget iPhone (A20). This then completes the lineup so come September 2027 it will look like this:
And it fits nicely with their iPad line up, iPad (A16), iPad Air (M3) and iPad Pro (M5), and the MacBook lineup, the rumoured MacBook (A19), MacBook Air (M4) and MacBook Pro (M5).
There won't be an iPhone Air 2, and there won't be an iPhone 18, or 18 Pro.
But this will be the year Apple moves to using the processor to delineate their phones and will begin this year with the new budget iPhone E, just called iPhone (A19), in March. In September we'll then get the iPhone Pro (A20) and iPhone Fold (A20), this will then be followed by the iPhone 17's replacement, a slighly thicker reworked iPhone Air with dual cameras and speakers, the iPhone Air (A20) in March 2027 alongside the budget iPhone (A20). This then completes the lineup so come September 2027 it will look like this:
- iPhone (A20)
- iPhone Air (A20)
- iPhone Pro (A21)
- iPhone Fold (A21)
And it fits nicely with their iPad line up, iPad (A16), iPad Air (M3) and iPad Pro (M5), and the MacBook lineup, the rumoured MacBook (A19), MacBook Air (M4) and MacBook Pro (M5).
Last edited:
There’s an old saying: “A camel is a horse designed by committee.”
So, one person says the iPhone Air needs a bigger battery. Another one says it needs a second - or even third - camera. Others complain about connectivity or want better cooling. Soon, you have an iPhone Pro Max on your hand. And it doesn’t stop there. Already, rumors have the 18 Pro and Pro Max being the thickest and heaviest ever.
I’m not telling anyone what to like or buy. But the people demanding all of these improvements to the Air need to just admit that they don’t “get” the Air and never will. And allow those who DO get the Air to buy it and enjoy it without commentary from them. People who insist that others only concern themselves with battery life or cameras are only speaking for themselves. If the Air is unacceptable to them… then the Air is not for them.
Tagbert
macrumors 604
That is exactly what other manufacturers do. Most customers focus on the thickness of the part that they hold which is most of the phone. The cameras sticking out is a worthwhile tradeoff for better cameras.
code-m
Suspended
Most people hold their phone on the bottom 1/3 if not 1/2, does that means as per marketing that the remaining portion of the device that isn’t being held can be counter to said marketing claim. To a layman that is deceptive regardless of who does it or if its industry practise.
arthurgd3
macrumors member
I'm not standing with Apple here in their decisions on the Air but from a sales and marketing PoV, they wanted to maximize the sales potential of the Air and as it turns out, it works for some people who don't need the absolute best camera or battery life and will take those compromises for a thinner build and subjectively better looking design/aesthetic.
That's the beauty of capitalism, you vote with your wallet. Bitching about a product you personally have no intention of buying and you don't like the sellers tactics is just completely pointless and doesn't get you anywhere. This isn't directed towards you, just saying generally.
I’ve read a lot of the criticism in this thread, and I get where it’s coming from. One camera. One speaker. USB-C speeds that are stuck in the past. The price, especially in comparison to other models. None of that is wrong.
But as someone who actually owns the Air, I genuinely love it, and my experience has been very different from how it’s often discussed here and in other forums.
Yes, it has one camera. I don’t shoot multiple lenses’ worth of photos every day. Yes, it has one speaker. I rarely listen to audio without AirPods and it’s fine in a room when watching a YouTube video for example. Yes, data transfer speeds could be better. I almost never move large files over a cable. These are all technically valid compromises, they just aren’t compromises I feel in my personal daily use.
What I do feel, constantly, is the physical experience of the device. The weight. The balance. The thinness. Holding your phone is something you do dozens, maybe hundreds, of times a day. For me, that matters more than specs I interact with occasionally and I’m saying all that while coming from the pro phone which I update yearly.
I scaled back this year on purpose as I wanted to hold something different and have been ranting about the pro’s weight for years. I absolutely love how focused this phone is. I haven’t felt once like I gave something up. It’s an object that feels genuinely good to use and want to hold way more than any iPhone previously.
Would I buy a next-gen Air that improves the camera, speakers, and USB-C speeds? In a heartbeat. But that doesn’t make my current experience any less satisfying.
I’m not trying to convince anyone who already knows they want the Pro features. Or the standard iPhone which is the better deal this year. That’s fine. All I’m saying that valuing how a device feels in your hand is fine too and quite frankly, the Air deserves more credit than it gets here.
But as someone who actually owns the Air, I genuinely love it, and my experience has been very different from how it’s often discussed here and in other forums.
Yes, it has one camera. I don’t shoot multiple lenses’ worth of photos every day. Yes, it has one speaker. I rarely listen to audio without AirPods and it’s fine in a room when watching a YouTube video for example. Yes, data transfer speeds could be better. I almost never move large files over a cable. These are all technically valid compromises, they just aren’t compromises I feel in my personal daily use.
What I do feel, constantly, is the physical experience of the device. The weight. The balance. The thinness. Holding your phone is something you do dozens, maybe hundreds, of times a day. For me, that matters more than specs I interact with occasionally and I’m saying all that while coming from the pro phone which I update yearly.
I scaled back this year on purpose as I wanted to hold something different and have been ranting about the pro’s weight for years. I absolutely love how focused this phone is. I haven’t felt once like I gave something up. It’s an object that feels genuinely good to use and want to hold way more than any iPhone previously.
Would I buy a next-gen Air that improves the camera, speakers, and USB-C speeds? In a heartbeat. But that doesn’t make my current experience any less satisfying.
I’m not trying to convince anyone who already knows they want the Pro features. Or the standard iPhone which is the better deal this year. That’s fine. All I’m saying that valuing how a device feels in your hand is fine too and quite frankly, the Air deserves more credit than it gets here.
Zito Abroad
macrumors 6502a
The mobile industry would be nothing without Samsung's innovation in display tech. We'd all be stuck in the past with boring slab phones and 3.5 inch displays. From the very first Galaxy Note, Samsung dragged the industry to bigger and better displays. Now they've done it again with foldables. Everyone benefits, especially blind loyalists of companies that live off the coattails of Samsung's innovation. Bravo.
rembert
macrumors regular
Hopefully it als paves the way to a foldable-without-foldable-screen aka mini. I don’t mind it being thick, I’m not craving for a lightweight thin iPhone. I certainly don’t need a screen larger than my 13 mini has. I don’t need AI on the device. Just bring on a new basic mini.
Anyway my current 13 mini still goes strong, still with original battery, surprisingly.
Anyway my current 13 mini still goes strong, still with original battery, surprisingly.
deuxani
macrumors 6502a
Couldn’t have said it better. This is exactly my experience too. When I think about the literal percentage of time I am taking photographs with the ultra wide and telephoto lens on previous iPhones (about 10% of my photos), using data transfers (never), needing the speakers to be louder than they are (haven’t experienced it yet)… and set that against the amount of time I am loving to use, hold, carry this phone and enjoying its design… it might be 99% or more in favour of the latter.
People need to get over the “battery issue” on the air. It’s non existent and only a widely made false belief by the internet.
It’s by far the best battery I’ve ever had on any phone, coming from a 15 pro.
Looks like the next Air will be a significant update with the addition of a camera. Would like it to be telephoto but very unlikely. It will most probably be the ultra wide. With a lower price tag, i.e., only $100 difference between Air and the base, it might sell well. Also looking forward to seeing Apple's first foldable.
Personally I don’t really care about the hardware. I am concerned with the iOS 26 (also macOS Tahoe). For me, this case similar with Sonos where people love their speaker but not the software - but in much bigger scale.
And for everyone like you, there’s someone else who loves the Air’s current dimensions - and has probably bought one.
cgs1xx
macrumors 6502
I bought one too! On day 1! 😕
I thought the difference in display size wouldn't be so bad but it is very noticeable.
JulianFrance
macrumors member
I agree and don’t quite know how Craig Federighi seems to have immunity for the software shortcomings of late.
I like the guy but the state of iOS, macOS and the infamous AI fiasco surely should be enough to give him the boot. He must be really liked internally for that to have not happened.
