I've been a Pro-model iPhone user since the iPhone 11 Pro Max, plus their predecessors - the iPhone X and Xs. Even before that, I've been using my iPhone as my primary video camera. As the iPhone camera gets better, I tend not to use a separate camcorder.
The 17 Pro and Pro Max are Pro as always, even though they're a bit uglier. However, its camera improvement is significant, which will enhance my video recording and editing experience. I'm currently using the 15 Pro Max, and by default, I would stick with the Pro model.
Then there comes the iPhone Air. It's a beauty. It's thin. It's the Apple that I am familiar with - pre-2014, when they were pushing their limit to the thinness. It's shiny. It looks premium, just like the Stainless Steel iPhones. I was amazed and even thought of getting one, but several factors prevent me from switching to the Air, at least for now. More importantly, it has numerous Pro features, which I won't feel like a significant downgrade if I switch from Pro to Air, except for some features that are essential for my video production needs. Video production is mostly a hobby for me, but I've been stuck with the iPhone Pro model configuration for years.
The single-camera system sounds like a dealbreaker for me, since I'm used to the triple-camera system, which is very important as a video producer. Starting with the 15 Pro, you can even zoom in & out between these three cameras while recording in 4K at 60fps, which is what made me switch to the 15 Pro Max two years ago. The Air also lacks features like Macro photography and Cinematic mode. For a single-camera system, however, I could achieve similar images, zooms, and effects by using third-party lenses, such as the Moment Lens. Using lenses may be inconvenient for daily usage (especially capturing instant moments - I use .5x UltraWide a lot, and sometimes telephoto zoom), but for certain scenarios that allow me to prepare, I would be happy to carry a few lenses with me and use them depending on the needs.
However, there's another annoying lack of feature: USB 3. I bought a USB-C cable that is compatible with USB 3, for video transmission from my 15 Pro Max to my Mac. My video files tend to be HUGE - and they are almost all in 4K 60fps. The iPhone Air does 4K 60fps Dolby Vision as well, which I'm glad about, but I'll have to wait for a longer time period for exporting my video to the computer.
Besides photography, tech-wise, I will also lose features such as Spatial Photos & Spatial Videos recording (which is likely unachievable with third-party accessories since it needs 2 cameras), 4K 120fps, ProRes, and ProRAW. I don't frequently use these two features, but it is great to have them. I have a Vision Pro, so sometimes I enjoy watching my own Spatial Videos in 16:9 (AVP only records square-shaped Spatial Videos).
Another thing for video recording is the battery life and heat. I'll need to bring a portable charger for my 15 Pro Max if I have multiple video recording tasks throughout the day. I can't imagine how bad the Air will be. Also, the Air lacks the cooling system that the 17 Pro/Pro Max has, which might be important for video recording. My 15 Pro Max turns hot when I record video for a long time. On the other hand, I haven't experienced any temperature warning on my 15 Pro Max (which would stop me from recording videos), so it's not that fatal. The Air does support an official MagSafe battery pack for $99 - but at this point, why not just pay $200 more (for the same storage) to get the real Pro experience?
None of them sounds like an absolute dealbreaker, but all of those adding up make me think carefully about whether I should switch to Air or not.
What do you think? Are you a Pro-model user? Video Producer? iPhone photographer? What do you think about the new iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max and the iPhone Air? What are your overall thoughts on switching from Pro to Air?
The 17 Pro and Pro Max are Pro as always, even though they're a bit uglier. However, its camera improvement is significant, which will enhance my video recording and editing experience. I'm currently using the 15 Pro Max, and by default, I would stick with the Pro model.
Then there comes the iPhone Air. It's a beauty. It's thin. It's the Apple that I am familiar with - pre-2014, when they were pushing their limit to the thinness. It's shiny. It looks premium, just like the Stainless Steel iPhones. I was amazed and even thought of getting one, but several factors prevent me from switching to the Air, at least for now. More importantly, it has numerous Pro features, which I won't feel like a significant downgrade if I switch from Pro to Air, except for some features that are essential for my video production needs. Video production is mostly a hobby for me, but I've been stuck with the iPhone Pro model configuration for years.
The single-camera system sounds like a dealbreaker for me, since I'm used to the triple-camera system, which is very important as a video producer. Starting with the 15 Pro, you can even zoom in & out between these three cameras while recording in 4K at 60fps, which is what made me switch to the 15 Pro Max two years ago. The Air also lacks features like Macro photography and Cinematic mode. For a single-camera system, however, I could achieve similar images, zooms, and effects by using third-party lenses, such as the Moment Lens. Using lenses may be inconvenient for daily usage (especially capturing instant moments - I use .5x UltraWide a lot, and sometimes telephoto zoom), but for certain scenarios that allow me to prepare, I would be happy to carry a few lenses with me and use them depending on the needs.
However, there's another annoying lack of feature: USB 3. I bought a USB-C cable that is compatible with USB 3, for video transmission from my 15 Pro Max to my Mac. My video files tend to be HUGE - and they are almost all in 4K 60fps. The iPhone Air does 4K 60fps Dolby Vision as well, which I'm glad about, but I'll have to wait for a longer time period for exporting my video to the computer.
Besides photography, tech-wise, I will also lose features such as Spatial Photos & Spatial Videos recording (which is likely unachievable with third-party accessories since it needs 2 cameras), 4K 120fps, ProRes, and ProRAW. I don't frequently use these two features, but it is great to have them. I have a Vision Pro, so sometimes I enjoy watching my own Spatial Videos in 16:9 (AVP only records square-shaped Spatial Videos).
Another thing for video recording is the battery life and heat. I'll need to bring a portable charger for my 15 Pro Max if I have multiple video recording tasks throughout the day. I can't imagine how bad the Air will be. Also, the Air lacks the cooling system that the 17 Pro/Pro Max has, which might be important for video recording. My 15 Pro Max turns hot when I record video for a long time. On the other hand, I haven't experienced any temperature warning on my 15 Pro Max (which would stop me from recording videos), so it's not that fatal. The Air does support an official MagSafe battery pack for $99 - but at this point, why not just pay $200 more (for the same storage) to get the real Pro experience?
None of them sounds like an absolute dealbreaker, but all of those adding up make me think carefully about whether I should switch to Air or not.
What do you think? Are you a Pro-model user? Video Producer? iPhone photographer? What do you think about the new iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max and the iPhone Air? What are your overall thoughts on switching from Pro to Air?
