Price needs to less and people will buy it. 799 and it will be a success
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.
Report: Apple Considers Adding Second Camera to Delayed iPhone Air 2
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I speak from experience owning an iPhone Air. I knew prior to the purchase exactly what I was getting and trusted that it would be up to Apples standards.
Fully aware of the differences between the Air and my well equipped Samsung S25 Edge, I bought the Air to enjoy the experience and thought perhaps the single camera and speaker wouldn't be an issue.
I was also fully aware that I was paying too much for this stripped down device but many of the Apple products I have bought were also overpriced, it’s Apples arrogance on display.
My experience reveals the Air as a nice light iPhone but certainly not up to Apples normally high standards. Having owned nearly every single iPhone model since 2007, I know what Apple is capable of.
My S25 Edge proves what's possible and reveals Apples mistake of failing to build a comparable phone.
Instead Apple let greed get in the way, ignoring the fully equipped Edge as the competitor they are and delivered iPhone Air woefully lacking.
The article suggests spring of 2027, thats a laughable time line. Are they that out of touch?
Fully aware of the differences between the Air and my well equipped Samsung S25 Edge, I bought the Air to enjoy the experience and thought perhaps the single camera and speaker wouldn't be an issue.
I was also fully aware that I was paying too much for this stripped down device but many of the Apple products I have bought were also overpriced, it’s Apples arrogance on display.
My experience reveals the Air as a nice light iPhone but certainly not up to Apples normally high standards. Having owned nearly every single iPhone model since 2007, I know what Apple is capable of.
My S25 Edge proves what's possible and reveals Apples mistake of failing to build a comparable phone.
Instead Apple let greed get in the way, ignoring the fully equipped Edge as the competitor they are and delivered iPhone Air woefully lacking.
The article suggests spring of 2027, thats a laughable time line. Are they that out of touch?
i honestly think it's the nicest phone in the lineup this year. the feel in the hand is so strange but also, i don't want to go back to a chunky phone again. I don't care if the camera bump is larger to add more cameras. i like that skinny skinny.
Apple should just revise their price policy. iPhone lineup prices are just way off…
Thanks for this. It isn’t even an “air”compared to the 16e so why would anyone buy it? The air moniker is effectively meaningless for both iPhone and iPad with the iPad Pro M4 and later being the air in practice.
Apple should consider releasing a new mini but call it “compact” instead of using the mini moniker. Replace the iPhone 16e with this and the air will begin to make some sense with a price drop.
I think most people have no idea what is true to life and would view noise as bad. Many probably came from a P&S and so the iPhone compares favorably to that; plus is always available. All they want is “a pretty picture.”
Sadly, I think you're right.
When I see public figures going overboard with excessive makeup, fake tans, fake eyelashes, dark smoky eyes, and lip augmentation ... and more ...
It's clear that many don't even want what is "true to life", as much as that saddens me.
The high price tag is the sole reason. They made the same mistake with the iPhone mini. They should fire the entire department responsible for pricing and related matters. Unless you create a credit card thin phone, flexible like a plastic sheet, after that you can sell it $100 cheaper than the pro models.
I think many factors are at play but the most important is one that no one mentions — the carriers. You can get a “free” iPhone 17 or a “free” iPhone 17 Pro with a three year contract. You can also get an iPhone Air for “free” with a three year contract but the carriers do not show the iPhone Air prominently or at all on their home page. Visibility is so important and under-appreciated.
People here have been reflexively saying that for every Apple product, going on 20 years.
Yet... Apple's 1+ Billion repeat/active customers continue to purchase Apple products year after year after year, making Apple one of the most successful consumer tech companies in the world.
There is so much hate for the Air, that I think is fairly unfounded. If it had two cameras and stereo sound, it would have been a keeper in my eyes. Max of 2x zoom was very limiting and trying to watch anything felt like big step back with only 1 speaker.
Yeah. I have to disagree. The thinness makes holding it “miniaturized” the thickness and makes it a dream to hold. Not to mention it’s built like a tank. Yet has a perfect size screen. Not too big like the Pro Max not so small like the 17 or Pro. I really think the battery thing is blown out of proportion. If anything I get the missing ultrawide camera. If you’re a parent and your kids play sports, a telephoto would be nice. If you travel or want the heaviest or more specs, buy what you need. But for the average user, the Air is truly great.
As a 16e user it’s a great super lightweight iPhone - but yes it needs to be $100 cheaper.
And I’d say that if you haven’t ever had an AOD or a promotion display - like me - you don’t miss it.
I do think that the air needs another lens - but it needs a telephoto lens.
I used my wide angled lens on my iPhone 13 just a few times, because it made way too trippy photos - wow, I never realised that the horizon is curved! - but maybe it’s improved since then.
Needless to say I’m not missing the lack of one on my 16e…
I do believe this model becomes the 19 or 20 standard model. It makes more sense. Add in a better ultrawide camera at 200mp that can serve as three camera features. Put the new battery tech of silicon carbon in it and you have a great iPhone. Start the price at $799 and it’s by far the biggest seller. 25% more money for less is how influencers are selling it. It’s that the average tech person isn’t going to get it. Just like most tech people actually use Android and Windows. They want more customization and all the bells and whistles.
Comparing my 16e to my iPhone Air is an interesting experience.
First it’s important to consider the price difference which finds both overpriced. This is a long standing practice which fattens Apples bottom line and is in large part why they remain a profit juggernaut.
Next is the actual ownership experience. For all around use the compact and light 16e is a great choice. It’s far better than my Air.
Yes the Air makes an outstanding first impression but once the newness wears off, it’s relatively bulky compared to the sleek flat profile of the 16e. In use I don’t find any advantages.
For those who tie their identities to the phone they carry and are looking to impress friends and family, the more expensive Air wins. This phone is a narcissists dream.
Should Apple choose to keep the Air in the lineup and correct it’s many shortcomings in the next version then it will become an excellent choice.
Some analysts say the Air already contains a silicon-anode battery, but if that's true, there's still room for improvement in materials and chemistry (including better silicon-anodes) if current advancements in battery technology result in a commercially viable better battery within a year or so. We might see something around 20% improvement in the Air's battery capacity, which would be about another 600 mAh.
I have a hard time seeing how it's inferior to the base model. Bigger faster screen in a premium body with less weight.
Most of the resistance to the air is FOMO for features that no one needs or uses.