iPhone Air Spent weekend w/ Air + 17 Pro, settled on the Pro

[lkosak]

In case anybody else is on the fence like me, I figured this might be helpful.

TL;DR: it's the cameras.

Upgrading from the 16 Pro Min. I couldn't decide between the Air (black) and the 17 Pro (Blue) and ended up ordering both of them to compare. I set them both up, restoring from backup without porting my number. (Yes, I realize this is pretty deranged fanboy behavior in these latter days of Apple, but that's where my head was at.)

I spent way too much time switching back and forth over the weekend, and it was a REALLY REALLY tough call. You all know the thought process: form factor of the Air + slightly larger screen is so nice. But oh, the battery/cameras/monospeaker/random-assortment-of-other-things-that-probably-don't-matter. Blue vs black. Scratchgate. Etc.

Ultimately, it came down to the cameras for me. How big is the difference in practice?

To assess, I took both phones to the park with my kids on Sunday, one in each front pocket, and took a bunch of photos and videos as they ran around.

Here's the verdict from a not professional photographer, not tech influencer, etc. Just a dad who wants the best photos of his kids.

• Main cameras are basically equivalent when the subject is stable and you’ve got focus locked in. However, the lack of lidar on the Air seems to result in slower focus pulling and more quick/impromptu shots ended up out of focus. E.g., running children. I suspect this would actually matter over the long haul.
• Apart from that, the lack of cinematic video and telephoto (which—the new 4x is a much better camera than the old 16 pro 5x, and took some of the best portraits of the day) were big. I just found I had a lot more flexibility to get good shots at varying distances with the Pro. And consequently, I found myself reaching for it much more often than the Air.

I looked at everything on a Studio Display later. Overall, the set from the Pro came out significantly better. Totally unscientific, but that was my experience. Fewer blurry shots, some great portraits and action shots from the 4x/8x, and the cinematic videos were standout.

So I say, that’s the dealbreaker for me!

And yeah, the Pro body feels really nice in the hand, it’s maybe slightly snappier for general use than the Air because the CPUs aren’t throttled (could be my imagination). Overall, it’s not worse enough in terms of form factor to make me give up the photography benefits.

All that being said, if photography isn't a big concern, I'd say the Air is a no brainer. That thing is so sweet.

 

[Webcat86]

Thanks for this. I am testing an Air and absolutely love it, but am also thinking I may return it.

It’s fundamentally the camera, and the screen being too big. It’s not uncomfortably big but it is basically an always two-hands phone for me, and I find the thinness makes it harder to operate with one hand. That’s a shame, because it’s wonderful to hold and type on and use two handed.

The camera is ok for me currently, but I do feel like I’ll miss my ultra wide lens as it’s my second most used lens after the main camera.

But having tried the new front camera, it’s the single feature that might tempt me to upgrade to the 17 Pro (before deciding to try the Air is basically committed to holding onto my 16 Pro until it dies)

 

[surferfb]

As someone struggling with the same decision, this was very helpful. Thanks for sharing. As I said in another thread, I suspect I end up returning the Air, but I'm really not happy about it.

 

[Webcat86]

As someone struggling with the same decision, this was very helpful. Thanks for sharing. As I said in another thread, I suspect I end up returning the Air, but I'm really not happy about it.

This sums it up perfectly 😂

I’ve just been using my 16 Pro again and made peace that I’d keep it. Picked up the Air to type this and can’t believe how much nicer it is to use. But with the caveat that it’s nicer with two hands, and slightly too big for one hand.

 

[SBruv]

All very well put – thanks. I'm currently wrestling with the same decision, but veering towards the Pro for all the now-well-established reasons.

 

[NotApplicable]

In case anybody else is on the fence like me, I figured this might be helpful.

TL;DR: it's the cameras.

Upgrading from the 16 Pro Min. I couldn't decide between the Air (black) and the 17 Pro (Blue) and ended up ordering both of them to compare. I set them both up, restoring from backup without porting my number. (Yes, I realize this is pretty deranged fanboy behavior in these latter days of Apple, but that's where my head was at.)

I spent way too much time switching back and forth over the weekend, and it was a REALLY REALLY tough call. You all know the thought process: form factor of the Air + slightly larger screen is so nice. But oh, the battery/cameras/monospeaker/random-assortment-of-other-things-that-probably-don't-matter. Blue vs black. Scratchgate. Etc.

Ultimately, it came down to the cameras for me. How big is the difference in practice?

To assess, I took both phones to the park with my kids on Sunday, one in each front pocket, and took a bunch of photos and videos as they ran around.

Here's the verdict from a not professional photographer, not tech influencer, etc. Just a dad who wants the best photos of his kids.

• Main cameras are basically equivalent when the subject is stable and you’ve got focus locked in. However, the lack of lidar on the Air seems to result in slower focus pulling and more quick/impromptu shots ended up out of focus. E.g., running children. I suspect this would actually matter over the long haul.
• Apart from that, the lack of cinematic video and telephoto (which—the new 4x is a much better camera than the old 16 pro 5x, and took some of the best portraits of the day) were big. I just found I had a lot more flexibility to get good shots at varying distances with the Pro. And consequently, I found myself reaching for it much more often than the Air.

I looked at everything on a Studio Display later. Overall, the set from the Pro came out significantly better. Totally unscientific, but that was my experience. Fewer blurry shots, some great portraits and action shots from the 4x/8x, and the cinematic videos were standout.

So I say, that’s the dealbreaker for me!

And yeah, the Pro body feels really nice in the hand, it’s maybe slightly snappier for general use than the Air because the CPUs aren’t throttled (could be my imagination). Overall, it’s not worse enough in terms of form factor to make me give up the photography benefits.

All that being said, if photography isn't a big concern, I'd say the Air is a no brainer. That thing is so sweet.

Wow! You only have one other post, from 2011, in which you are replying to rumors that the iPhone 5 would have a thicker profile at the top than at the bottom, and that the home button would double as a gesture area.

Kind of crazy that 14 years later, we’ve had thick camera bumps and gestures that replaced the home button for a very long time. Those rumors were off for the 5, but looks like they came true, to some extent, after all.

In any case, hope you love your new phone!

 

[kitt9000]

Thanks for this. I am testing an Air and absolutely love it, but am also thinking I may return it.

It’s fundamentally the camera, and the screen being too big. It’s not uncomfortably big but it is basically an always two-hands phone for me, and I find the thinness makes it harder to operate with one hand. That’s a shame, because it’s wonderful to hold and type on and use two handed.

The camera is ok for me currently, but I do feel like I’ll miss my ultra wide lens as it’s my second most used lens after the main camera.

But having tried the new front camera, it’s the single feature that might tempt me to upgrade to the 17 Pro (before deciding to try the Air is basically committed to holding onto my 16 Pro until it dies)

The original OP's review and the above comments are great to read, really appreciate reading these comments as I'm deciding between the same two phones.

The air for me does feel too wide compared to the more comfortable width of the 17p (non max). I was hoping the thinness and light weight would make up for this, but seeing if this would be a dealbreaker by next week. THe 17p smaller screen and smaller width are ironically making it a bit more comfortable to hold compared to the thinner, lighter air. Camera and speaker i'm not too concerned with but I certainly understand the OPs reasoning! Great to hear everyone's experience.

 

[lkosak]

Wow! You only have one other post, from 2011, in which you are replying to rumors that the iPhone 5 would have a thicker profile at the top than at the bottom, and that the home button would double as a gesture area.

Kind of crazy that 14 years later, we’ve had thick camera bumps and gestures that replaced the home button for a very long time. Those rumors were off for the 5, but looks like they came true, to some extent, after all.

In any case, hope you love your new phone!

Hahaha yes, I am a prolific lurker. After reading + watching so many takes on the Air vs Pro topic, I figured I’d try to give something back!

 

[NotApplicable]

Hahaha yes, I am a prolific lurker. After reading + watching so many takes on the Air vs Pro topic, I figured I’d try to give something back!

As an aside I used to work with someone in fintech with a name that would map directly to your handle. You aren’t in that realm by chance? Haha

 

[lkosak]

As an aside I used to work with someone in fintech with a name that would map directly to your handle. You aren’t in that realm by chance? Haha

Oh wow yes, that’s probably me.
DM me!

 

[MaxVerstappen]

Excellent review, well balanced.

 

[Sami13496]

Come on now. People have been taking photos of their kids with smartphones for years, with cameras much worse than the Air’s, and the photos are just fine. To me, it sounds like you should focus more on the moments with your kids instead of fiddling with your phone. I’m sure they’re already tired of those photo sessions where dad spends minutes adjusting settings on his “pro” phone. Dad’s just got a new toy.

 

[MaxVerstappen]

Come on now. People have been taking photos of their kids with smartphones for years, with cameras much worse than the Air’s, and the photos are just fine. To me, it sounds like you should focus more on the moments with your kids instead of fiddling with your phone.

I do have to agree with this statement. People have forgot to live in the moment. There is simply no need to record or photograph everything… it’s actually ridiculous

 

[Hajj.david]

For me I almost never take pictures and I actually hated the 3 different cameras because on my iPhone 14 it would regularly change the lens without asking me while taking a photo, I found the single lens is not only great but better in the aspect of "it just works"

 

[Lab1]

The original OP's review and the above comments are great to read, really appreciate reading these comments as I'm deciding between the same two phones.

The air for me does feel too wide compared to the more comfortable width of the 17p (non max). I was hoping the thinness and light weight would make up for this, but seeing if this would be a dealbreaker by next week. THe 17p smaller screen and smaller width are ironically making it a bit more comfortable to hold compared to the thinner, lighter air. Camera and speaker i'm not too concerned with but I certainly understand the OPs reasoning! Great to hear everyone's experience.

I held an Air in my hand this weekend over at Best Buy. I did find the width and form to make it a bit uncomfortable for me to hold, especially as I have tendinitis that can really act up at times. While the cameras were my main reason for choosing the pro, I also find it much more comfortable for me to hold.

 

[thatJohann]

haha doing the same right now, I have in one pocket the Air and in the other pocket the 17 Pro.

I 10000% gravitate towards the Air whenever I want to pick up a phone because it feels so much nicer than the 17 Pro, but after my camera comparisons yesterday, it's clear there's a big gap between the Air and the 17 Pro.

I'm a big traveler and love photography so I'm going to be forced to keep the 17 Pro, despite wanting the amazing feel of the Air.

So, I hear ya.

 

[Webcat86]

For me I almost never take pictures and I actually hated the 3 different cameras because on my iPhone 14 it would regularly change the lens without asking me while taking a photo, I found the single lens is not only great but better in the aspect of "it just works"

Can you elaborate on this, what was the problem with the phone selecting a lens?

 

[lkosak]

OP here. Gotta say, I didn't expect multiple people to respond along the lines of, "who cares about the cameras, people take too many photos, oh and btw you should be more present with your children." Wow.

And yes, to be clear, if you don't like taking pictures and think taking too many pictures is a derangement of the modern world... you probably don't need the Pro for the cameras

 

[Lab1]

OP here. Gotta say, I didn't expect multiple people to respond along the lines of, "who cares about the cameras, people take too many photos, oh and btw you should be more present with your children." Wow.

And yes, to be clear, if you don't like taking pictures and think taking too many pictures is a derangement of the modern world... you probably don't need the Pro for the cameras

When I was a kid, I always liked when my parents documented events with photos. Made me feel like the event was important to them. “Present” and “involved” can look many ways. It’s great you get to be there and documents those special moments!

 

[GMShadow]

OP here. Gotta say, I didn't expect multiple people to respond along the lines of, "who cares about the cameras, people take too many photos, oh and btw you should be more present with your children." Wow.

And yes, to be clear, if you don't like taking pictures and think taking too many pictures is a derangement of the modern world... you probably don't need the Pro for the cameras

Sometimes there's some weird tone policing that goes on in the forum, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Meedoss]

I do have to agree with this statement. People have forgot to live in the moment. There is simply no need to record or photograph everything… it’s actually ridiculous

Guess you don’t have kids, mine love seeing themselves on video I took through their childhood, even more so they are starting to have their own kids to show.
Ridiculous thing to say I agree.

 

[MaxVerstappen]

Guess you don’t have kids, mine love seeing themselves on video I took through their childhood, even more so they are starting to have their own kids to show.
Ridiculous thing to say I agree.

I do have in fact. My statement stays: less is more.

 

[rui no onna]

The air for me does feel too wide compared to the more comfortable width of the 17p (non max). I was hoping the thinness and light weight would make up for this, but seeing if this would be a dealbreaker by next week. THe 17p smaller screen and smaller width are ironically making it a bit more comfortable to hold compared to the thinner, lighter air.

Just got the Air and so far, I feel the same.

 

[Meedoss]

I do have in fact. My statement stays: less is more.

Great, they will get older and ask where are all the videos and photos from when we were kids lol

 

[MaxVerstappen]

Great, they will get older and ask where are all the videos and photos from when we were kids lol

lol, I do have pics and vids but not endlessly.