I'm another former Air user that went to the 17 Pro. I love, love, love the Air for what it is--lightweight, thin and just a well made piece of kit. Battery life was fine for me. Speaker was clearly not great, but it was a non-issue, as I rarely use it. The cameras though--I thought I could get by for a year with just the one camera. Then I had a family gathering this weekend where I took a lot of pics, and it was then that I realized I had goofed. That ultra wide lens is just something I'm not willing to go a year without. For what it is, the Air camera is fantastic. And if all you ever had was a phone with a single lens, you would be over the moon with the Air. But it's hard to take something away and then act like it doesn't matter.
I've been a Pro Max guy since forever, but the slightly increased weight and girth of the 17PM kinda put me off this year. I got to toy around with my wife's 17 Pro some over the past week and really came to love the smaller but weighty form factor. One hand use is nice to have again, and while the Air did provide that, it was still somewhat of a stretch to make it happen.
When Apple brings the Air cameras up to par with the Pros, I'll 100% be back. That form factor is the future and I can't wait to have a svelte phone again. I already miss the Air, but the 17 Pro is just fine for my needs.