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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.

It certainly is in the eye of the beholder. By saying you are paying "$200 more...while "only" getting a slight difference in thinness and weight.." you are judging thickness and weight to be unworthy of that $200 expense - but that's *your* value judgement - you simply don't value this feature at $200 - but other do. You think they're getting "fleeced" because you think others should value things the same way you do. I certainly don't feel fleeced and I certainly don't think it is an "nearly imperceptible" difference in dimension/weight. Actually, I'd go as far as saying you'd have to be pretty sensory deprived to call it that.
 
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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.
I don't see how any human being that isn't a small child mentally, can't see the value in carrying a tanner, lighter phone in their pocket or to hold one in ones hand for a prolonged period.

How do you know that in real world usage "this is nothing"? I went from a 16 Pro Max to the iPhone Air and it's certainly not nothing to me. As far as your comment about the case, you do realize that the same percentage of people put their iPhone 17s, iPhone 17 Pros, and iPhone Pro Max in a case as well? So the difference remains exactly the same - I can't believe I have to explain this to another human being.
 
Oh? I shouldn’t bother to engage, but where exactly did you read that Apple “just cut production to zero?”

First page it's stated to be close to that (or w/e we make of "nearly end of production levels" I guess)

The business publication claims to have learned of a major cut to iPhone Air production motivated by weaker-than-expected consumer interest, nearly to "end of production levels."
 
Surprised, I thought it would be most popular model. I got one, it’s an excellent phone, replaced 15 pro. Biggest downside is the single speaker but it’s pretty minor. Figured they’d bring dual speakers in the 2nd version.
 
It means that the first lot of iPhones Air sold out in China — we have no idea how large that stock was.
That doesn't guarantee it will continue to be a hit.

China is a very different market and fads are genuine sales drivers… something new tomorrow…

Also, the novelty of e-sims for the Chinese market.
Yeah, I think the initial demand in China is an outlier. I don’t expect Air demand to have long legs there. Chinese influencers and wannabe influencers are hungry for something “different” from Apple because the 17 Pro despite some visual differences from the 16 Pro doesn’t look significantly different to them.
 
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Surprised, I thought it would be most popular model. I got one, it’s an excellent phone, replaced 15 pro. Biggest downside is the single speaker but it’s pretty minor. Figured they’d bring dual speakers in the 2nd version.
That is if there is a 2nd version. The likelihood is diminishing.
 
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.
How's the thumbs reaching across the screen though - an extra cm + case?

Depth wasn't / isn't the issue.
 
That is if there is a 2nd version. The likelihood is diminishing.
Yeah I’m saying that was my expectation when I got the phone, even before I got it I was thinking they’d add that in a 2nd version, but that’s before hearing how bad sales are for it. I honestly think most people just assume Pro is the best one and assume the Air has bad battery and is fragile etc, they don’t research it fully.

FWIW, the battery life has been excellent, far better than my 15 pro. I have charge limit set to 85% and it’s no problem. It’s crazy having such a powerful device with a big screen that disappears in my pocket.
 
Since the iPhone 3g i had every model, always the top end (later pro) in regular screen sizes, sometimes 2 in a year.
i have it now for one month and it is by far the best i ever had. It is a pleasure to use, screen is great, weight is great, design perfect, battery absolutely ok, charge it 10 minutes on the mac when you travel and it‘s fine. I will never go back to a heavy Pro, despite missing cams.
But for me, the main cam is totally fine. Though, i have also professional cams at hand.
I advise most of the people who comment here to try it out for one week, i strongly feel that 90% wilö keep it and never think about a heavier / thicker phone again.
 
Alu body on the 17 Pro looks cheap. I hang on to phones for 3-6 years so will just keep using the trusty 14PM until it dies or they release a better premium model.
 
I think Apple had it right before: iPhone and iPhone Pro. Obviously, Timothy did this to increase sales. I think if Timothy wants to increase sales, make better products.

Competing hardware is really good and catches my attention. Apple's software is the only thing keeping me. However, with the lackluster launch of iOS 26, and especially macOS Tahoe, there's less holding me back. (IDC about iMessage.)
 
How's the thumbs reaching across the screen though - an extra cm + case?

Depth wasn't / isn't the issue.

I don't use a case. Pocketability is my principal concern. I went from iPhone X/XS/11 Pro to iPhone 13 mini and now iPhone Air. The Pro line got too ungainly (combination of height and thickness) whereas the base model became gargantuan starting with the iPhone XR (Apple reduced the size with the 12).

I liked the ability to use the iPhone mini one handed on the go but it was not a one-handed iPhone in all scenarios, just those that didn't involve significant input like checking email. I don't miss it. My iPhone Air is on a MagSafe stand all day at work, which makes it one handed. Pro tip — turn off automatic screen lock.
 
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It's not too thin to hold and the battery life is not "extremely poor"... in fact it's better battery life than my iphone 14 Pro....

Outright lies by people who have never even owned the iPhone Air. It's really something.

If you get annoyed at people bashing a product they don't know anything about let me introduce you to the Tesla Cybertruck.
 
If there'd been a main + telephoto camera on it I probably would have gotten it. Heck, at this point I'd almost pay extra to get rid of that ultra wide camera, it just annoys me more often than I actually need or want it.

I'd just want a MagSafe battery for it that also has MagSafe on the other side of it. Not the most efficient, but useful.

Edit: Instead I got the PM, as usual.
I agree, if it had 2 cameras I’d get it on day one. I really do hope and look forward to a iPhone AIR 2. Hopefully these sales don’t convince Apple to just kill it. Perhaps the next chip will help get it some extra battery life as well 🤷‍♂️
 
I had a 16 PM,
Bought the Air,
Returned the Air due to the battery not suiting my usage and then went for the 17 Pro.

Trust me there’s a difference in weight.
It’s the battery density. The regular iPhone 17 and Pro models have a thicker battery compared to the iPhone Air, slap a battery pack to that iPhone Air and the weight is negated. Now most people who are enticed by this phone probably didn’t have the usage that the regular or Pro models have to offer however Apple deals in numbers sold and profits not what a minority user base needs. I get it I was in the iPhone mini camp and didn’t want to let it go but I jumped on the 16 Pro and got used to it.
 
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