Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Would’ve thought that 2+ years of mini customers updating would’ve been a better bet.

Then again, this is the precursor to the fold - stereo speakers comes next year with both sides.

I’m on record in this forum vigorously advocating for the iPhone mini. But after a few weeks with the iPhone Air, I could never go back to such a small display. For pocketability, it turns out that depth matters more than height. The Air feels less obtrusive than the mini in your front pants pocket.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alfonsog
No display output via USB-C to an external monitor or TV.
I believe the regular iPhone 17 is claimed to have the same but when I connected it to a portable monitor via USB-C it displayed video and mirrored just like the Pro model, maybe it’s just the charging speed and data transfer speed.
 
The iPhone air is one of those products that will take more then four weeks to measure its success in the market. I love these articles though, seeing how polarizing these air articles have become, I have a feeling that the air is going to be more of a hit then what these “analyst” are predicting.

I remember when the original Apple Watch sales “were doomed” and “not looking good” according to analyst and “experts.

 
  • Like
Reactions: seth556
I believe the regular iPhone 17 is claimed to have the same but when I connected it to a portable monitor via USB-C it displayed video and mirrored just like the Pro model, maybe it’s just the charging speed and data transfer speed.

It's just the Air that can't do it.
17 & 17 Pro are fully featured in this regard.

Screenshot 2025-10-22 at 08.19.14.png

Screenshot 2025-10-22 at 08.21.30.png
 
When I first saw the iPhone Air in a store, it looked and felt amazing, and I almost swapped my iPhone 15 PM for it! But after a little thought, I realized I’m not ready to give up the awesome triple camera and stereo speakers. If they could add at least a double camera setup and stereo speakers, I would’ve bought one right away!
Another camera would only be the ultra wide one… and you would need to sacrifice like in battery… I don’t think it’s a big deal…
 
1.7Gbps is great but you're trying to make a point against faster USBs in iPhones it's your prerogative. I'm still in favor for usb 3.2 or Thunderbolt speed.
The better design is with minimal user input - Automated local WiFi backup is a better user experience than cable connection.

Apple does not make decisions based on specifications, they are a design company that follow the user better than most other tech companies.
 
It really comes down to this: the phone's battery capacity is TOO SMALL by 2025 standards. Apple should have just produced an iPhone 17 Plus model, essentially using the iPhone 16 Pro Max screen but with regular iPhone 17 innards and iPhone 16 Plus back design.
 
just pulled from reddit because I am lazy but:

"iPhone 17 (base) comes with 1/1.56” main camera sensor whereas iPhone 15 Pro comes with 1/1.28” main camera sensor — which is about 50% bigger."

Say what you will, the camera on the Pro's is much better than that of the regular iPhones and Air.. I'm not saying the regulars and Air can't produce great results, but it's a $1k+ phone. I don't think expecting greatness is some niche thing.
Right that's what I said. I was trying to figure out your point. Were you saying there should be a better camera on the Air?
 
The better design is with minimal user input - Automated local WiFi backup is a better user experience than cable connection.

Apple does not make decisions based on specifications, they are a design company that follow the user better than most other tech companies.
They're cutting corners usb2 is cheaper than usb3.2 or thunderbolt, mono speaker is cheaper than stereo and 1 lens is cheaper than 2.
 
Poor value for money.

Also, who isn’t going to put it in a case anyway. Defeats the purpose, no ?
 
So why aren't more people buying them when they compare them in store?

Put your shoe on the other foot and be devils advocate and strong man the argument against the Air.

That's best way to analyze these situations.

(marketing spend not an issue to a buyer already in a store and comparing the options side by side)

I did this to some degree. Apple has not promoted the iPhone Air.

I don’t just mean advertising though that’s part of it. Go to the websites of the three major carriers. The hero promo on each website is for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro. There’s no mention of the iPhone Air at all on the AT&T and Verizon websites. T-Mobile has a small promo for a “free” iPhone Air at the bottom of the page. You would not know the iPhone Air exists as an option though you can get a “free” or nearly free iPhone Air from all three carriers and the MVNOs too. Apple dictates this prioritization to some degree.

Also, Apple’s marketing department only seems interested in expensive video productions, not the low-fi memes that dominate social media today. For example, Joz did an interview during which he tossed the iPhone Air to two journalists and asked them to try bending it. They couldn’t and marveled at its structural integrity. If I were running Apple’s marketing, I would have clipped this scene and run it across all social media channels.
 
Last edited:
Ugh. I haven’t waded through all the posts in this thread because my blood pressure wouldn’t be able to handle the rage.

The iPhone Air is being killed (if it is being killed) by idiot influencers highlighting bizarre use-cases and non-issues and people blindly believing them despite never having been within a hundred yards of an actual iPhone Air.

I’ve had mine since release day. I have had zero battery issues. Zero overheating issues. Zero throttling issues. It is quite simply the best iPhone I have ever owned and I have owned a lot of iPhones. I’m very old.

Apple produces something genuinely novel and the hoardes rush in to demand mediocrity. Which is actually a pretty accurate description of the world as a whole right now.

They already killed the iPhone mini. Was that not victory enough?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Riot Nrrrd
Poor value for money.

Also, who isn’t going to put it in a case anyway. Defeats the purpose, no ?
The problem with your statement is that "value" is in the eye of the beholder. And to answer your question - neither I nor my wife are using a case with the Air. The most we put on it - when we have to - is either a MagSafe wallet or a MagSafe battery.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neil J. Squillante
Ugh. I haven’t waded through all the posts in this thread because my blood pressure wouldn’t be able to handle the rage.

The iPhone Air is being killed (if it is being killed) by idiot influencers highlighting bizarre use-cases and non-issues and people blindly believing them despite never having been within a hundred yards of an actual iPhone Air.

I’ve had mine since release day. I have had zero battery issues. Zero overheating issues. Zero throttling issues. It is quite simply the best iPhone I have ever owned and I have owned a lot of iPhones. I’m very old.

Apple produces something genuinely novel and the hoardes rush in to demand mediocrity. Which is actually a pretty accurate description of the world as a whole right now.

They already killed the iPhone mini. Was that not victory enough?

I think it's simply a function of odd value/fit in the lineup between the 17 & 17 Pro.

We have to look beyond online influencers here.

People are, apparently, going into the stores and physically not choosing the Air.
I suspect the price for what one is getting is a problem when comparing to the 17/17 Pro in person.

(this is not true for everyone! Just like with the Mini that I use and love ... there are buyers for literally any and all iPhones they try)
 
I suspect the price for what one is getting is a problem when comparing to the 17/17 Pro in person.
That’s fair. I’m spoilt and am not particularly price sensitive.

Though I think people are being very selective about which features they look at. Large screen, small weight are major features for me. Premium materials, too. Maybe.
 
  • Love
Reactions: turbineseaplane
Any common sense person besides Apple knew the iPhone Air would flop when it's priced way higher than the better spec'd iPhone 17 model!
 
  • Like
Reactions: decypher44
If you haven't already, take a look at Marques comparing the iPhone 17 Pro Max with the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max:
Ah yes, the phone that shoved an absolutely massive 7500 mAh battery in there… and *still* were only able to squeeze out an extra six minutes over the iPhone.
And I ask again, who is paying you for this weird promo.
 
Ugh. I haven’t waded through all the posts in this thread because my blood pressure wouldn’t be able to handle the rage.

The iPhone Air is being killed (if it is being killed) by idiot influencers highlighting bizarre use-cases and non-issues and people blindly believing them despite never having been within a hundred yards of an actual iPhone Air.

I’ve had mine since release day. I have had zero battery issues. Zero overheating issues. Zero throttling issues. It is quite simply the best iPhone I have ever owned and I have owned a lot of iPhones. I’m very old.

Apple produces something genuinely novel and the hoardes rush in to demand mediocrity. Which is actually a pretty accurate description of the world as a whole right now.

They already killed the iPhone mini. Was that not victory enough?
You may not mind paying more for less when compared to the regular iPhone 17 but many customers are price conscience and sensitive. Though price is not an issue for me, I dislike the compromises the iPhone Air has to make it a viable product. I dislike earphones in my ears constantly as it’s bothersome. When I take out a picture I don’t want to second guess myself that another iPhone would have more capabilities and the same goes for travelling, I don’t want to lug around an external battery or power back.
 
When I first saw the iPhone Air in a store, it looked and felt amazing, and I almost swapped my iPhone 15 PM for it! But after a little thought, I realized I’m not ready to give up the awesome triple camera and stereo speakers. If they could add at least a double camera setup and stereo speakers, I would’ve bought one right away!
Right, the camera is the only thing keeping this phone from greatness. I absolutely love the size and weight. So much better to put in your pocket or carry around, almost feels fake lol. Plus the battery life is actually better than I expected. If they could just somehow make one with a pro level camera… bonus to add some cool colors, like orange or purple from the pros 👌
 
I was on android and switched back to iPhone just because of the air. I really love this phone. The camera is a definite trade-off, but I’m OK with it, and the battery life is actually very good. It has all of the main features that I prefer with the pro but finally a more comfortable size.

I have had the pro max previous years and it always was too bulky and uncomfortable to hold.
 
  • Like
Reactions: seth556
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.