The camera is a definite trade-off, but I’m OK with it
I suspect mainstream buyers perhaps are not.
It would make sense.
For years now we've known that the iPhone is actually an iCamera with a Phone App.
The camera is a definite trade-off, but I’m OK with it
I think it's simply a function of odd value/fit in the lineup between the 17 & 17 Pro.
I think you're right with this, specifically when mentioning the base 17. It's priced too closely to the Air and just delivers way more value than other recent iPhones.
Value isn't really in the eye of the beholder when you are paying $200 more for less in terms of features while only getting a slight difference in thinness and weight over the iPhone 17. Buyers of the Air are essentially getting fleeced by an nearly imperceptible difference in overall dimensions and weight over the iPhone 17.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.
You do realise adding an extra camera adds weight right, at this point just remove the rear camera and the iPhone will be lighter and thinner top to bottom.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'm not so sure about that one.The binned A19 Pro blows away the A19 in the iPhone 17.
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 agree. I think the population that lets outside influences impact their phone choices is extremely small.
Apple offered a form factor that is appealing but sacrificed too much in too many places and priced it too high considering the sacrifices.
I expect the air to completely replace the standard iPhone by the end of the decade.100% — It’s a bit of a novelty like the original MacBook Air. But give it a few generations and it should take a lot of the pro market, especially as they make the pro MORE pro and aimed at influencers.
yeah... about that....This clearly seems to be a "test" product for Apple in the same way the iPhone X was. When the iPhone X was launched at $1000, the previous gen iPhone 7 cost $649. There was a large change the X would flop and Apple could write it off as a limited edition or halo product that was only for a small percentage of users. As it happened, people seemed to be willing to pay the 50% price increase for the X and Apple essentially moved the whole line to this format and set the pricing bar at $999 (I wonder if they cancelled an iPhone 9 that would have launched alongside the XR & XS if the X flopped).
It's the same for this product, Apple is likely testing out the market for a $999 ultrathin phone. This time it looks like the market is saying "no thanks". Does this impact Apple's plans to launch a foldable? Who knows?
Now, if the iPhone Air had launched with underscreen FaceID and/or camera enabling a full frontal screen, that probably would have been more interesting...
It means Chinese need burner phones too when travelling, just like us Canadians need when we go through U.S. Customs. 😉
Value isn't really in the eye of the beholder when you are paying $200 more for less in terms of features while only getting a slight difference in thinness and weight over the iPhone 17. Buyers of the Air are essentially getting fleeced by an nearly imperceptible difference in overall dimensions and weight over the iPhone 17.
LOL, yes it is. You are not the "beholder" and that is why the difference in thinness and weight does not matter to you. To Air owners, these factors do.
I don't see how the size and weight difference can matter to any human being that isn't a small child.LOL, yes it is. You are not the "beholder" and that is why the difference in thinness and weight does not matter to you. To Air owners, these factors do.
Compromises:
1. Single speaker
2. Single camera
3. Extremely poor battery life (due to thinness)
4. Inferior C1X 5G modem compared to SD X80 in Pro series
5. Too thin to hold.
6. Busted Wifi 7 that is incapable of 320 Mhz channel width on 6Ghz.
7. No mmWave which is in Pro models.
8. No display output via USB-C to an external monitor or TV.
9. Still USB 2.0 speeds for a premium device in 2025.
10. Slower binned SOC (again due to thinness and heat concerns)
Did I miss anything?
Like I said, if you don't see the value then you are not the customer for it. You can write a 1000-page essay on how these differences don't matter, but, that is to you. We are all different and have different preferences.I don't see how the size and weight difference can matter to any human being that isn't a small child.
Again, the difference between the iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 in:
Thickness: 2.4mm (with the camera bump factored in, I believe the Air is actually thicker)
Weight: 12 grams
In real world usage, this is nothing. And don't get me started on how probably 90% of Air owners are going to put their Air in a case, which will negate the thinness and weight.
Apple likes to cut corners hence the iPhone Air!Most points I get, but why 320MHz channel width for Wi-Fi on a phone?? An 80MHz channel already delivers very high speed with Wi-Fi 6 and 7. 320MHz really only is great when having +10 devices with constant high data traffic around the house.
Compromises:
1. Single speaker
2. Single camera
3. Extremely poor battery life (due to thinness)
4. Inferior C1X 5G modem compared to SD X80 in Pro series
5. Too thin to hold.
6. Busted Wifi 7 that is incapable of 320 Mhz channel width on 6Ghz.
7. No mmWave which is in Pro models.
8. No display output via USB-C to an external monitor or TV.
9. Still USB 2.0 speeds for a premium device in 2025.
10. Slower binned SOC (again due to thinness and heat concerns)
Did I miss anything?
Like I said, if you don't see the value then you are not the customer for it. You can write a 1000-page essay on how these differences don't matter, but, that is to you.
Apple product development is not run by some micromanager that goes and tells people what to do. They are run by the one if not one of the best designers and product engineers there are and decisions are made with a borader view of why a product exists.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.
You do realise adding an extra camera adds weight right, at this point just remove the rear camera and the iPhone will be lighter and thinner top to bottom.
Apple product development is not run by some micromanager that goes and tells people what to do. They are run by the one if not one of the best designers and product engineers there are and decisions are made with a borader view of why a product exists.
Single camera was tested and learned from older models and recently from 16e. It's a camera system that works for most people.