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

BruiserBear said:
I agree with you that no one should have to buy a $1,000 phone and have to keep it no matter what if they don’t like it.

But that’s a different conversation from knowingly buying two phones at the same time, using them for days, and then returning the one you don’t want.

I bought an iPhone Air fully expecting to keep it, but after using it for a weekend I knew it wasn’t the phone for me, so I returned it and got a regular 17 yesterday. The difference is I bought the first phone in good faith thinking I would keep it, but then I was able to correct my mistake. It’s the first time I’ve ever returned an iPhone, and I’ve bought many over the years.

I would bet a large amount of money Apple as a company would not want every customer doing this. You might find a random employee who says this to you, but there is no way the company would fully endorse this behavior, as it’s wasteful and renders phones “used” just because someone wanted to try them out.

This is absolutely the type of behavior that causes companies to crack down and make return policies more restrictive and unfair to customers.
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Litteraly no different than buying two phones and then keeping one of them. Now if you returned both, that would be a different story. Apple would never have every customer doing this.

Such a small minority who would do this and probably big Apple people. The person would have to have the money/credit to do it too.

Again your behavior is no different, so stop critiquing others and being the return policeman. Look at what you just did. 😂
 
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GDF said:
Litteraly no different than buying two phones and then keeping one of them. Now if you returned both, that would be a different story. Apple would never have every customer doing this.

Such a small minority who would do this and probably big Apple people. The person would have to have the money/credit to do it too.

Again your behavior is no different, so stop critiquing others and being the return policeman. Look at what you just did. 😂
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I guess you have no idea what big words like “good faith” mean.
 
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Lack of macro photography and full sounding loud and stereophonic speakers are deal breakers for me. I could live without a telephoto lens.

It’s a beautiful phone to hold in the stores, though. I’d just never pay $1100 with taxes for so much compromise when the Pro series is $100 or $200 more with taxes.
 
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If the Air barely makes it through the day. I wonder if Air users set a battery charge limit, and also what happens once battery health decreases. Barely a day might turn into a must charge in the long run.
 
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almost 5 days in now with my Air. I just charge it for around 30-45 minutes somewhere during the afternoon to get me through the day with ease (wake up around 700AM, bedtime around 1030PM)

I am not a gamer, watching Youtube video for hour(s) and no (aimless) doomscrolling through social media apps.

If you are not willing or able to charge it for a shorttime (30-45 minutes) during the day and you are a (heavy) gamer, take tons and tons of photos and videos to share with the online world how beautiful your life is, than the Air is not the one to pick ;)

I fully dare to say I get almost the same battery time with my Air (iOS 26) compared with my latest 16 Pro (iOS 18)

I don't set a charge limit. (I have AC+ in worst case scenarios)
 
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lkosak said:
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.
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If you want the air the last thing you want to do is get both and compare. You’re better off not knowing the other and just go with one. That said I go for having the most options and stuff as the phone is with me everywhere. Pro wins easily. Air is more a lesser iPhone 17 in a premium casing.
 
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cardfan said:
If you want the air the last thing you want to do is get both and compare. You’re better off not knowing the other and just go with one.
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Hah, yes, this is the last week in a nutshell. It is better not to know! The people I know who did that are happily enjoying their slender new phones.
 
endemize said:
Apple support also told me something similar. Told me if I simply prefer the pro to just return my air and switch it out. Their business model is built to anticipate the returns. It’s why I love Apple. No one should be forced to pay the amounts these devices are if they don’t love them. Apple just uses these to replace Apple care claims anyways. Win win for everyone.
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I’ve been to the Apple Store twice since the iPhone 17 series launch, and each time the employee helping me with my order made a point of communicating the return policy, “just try it” sort of thing. Really wanted me to know how easy it was to return a phone if I wanted to try both or bring one back.

I only have the Air right now, but have a 17 Pro Max I’d need to pickup by Saturday if I want to “give it a try”. I ordered the 17 Pro Max thinking there was a 90% chance I’d return the air after a day or two. Here I am on day 5, and I think I’m down to 5% chance.
 
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Thank you @lkosak for your review - a great write-up with a wonderful use case.

Although it’s beautiful and nice to hold, I already knew the Air wasn’t going to be for me. I’m not moving backwards from the Pro Max until something comes along that will incorporate the camera features and battery life of the Pro series.

The 17 Pro series is meh in design and materials, IMO, which is why I didn’t pre-order for the first time in several cycles, BUT the camera features and shots have tempted me to at least test it out.
 
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Was able to get two free iPhone 17 series. Going to give away or donate to whoever. Do not want or need. All gone.
 
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lkosak said:
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.
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Thanks for sharing this really goes to show how different we all use our phones and how it all boils down to how it works for us. All the points you mentioned for the camera is valid and as someone who doesnt take any special photos of anything it was a non issue for me. Glad it worked out for you and nothing like having both to really compare. I did that but with just the color haha torn between the space black or sky blue so i got them both to compare and will give the other one to a relative. What i like about apple's offering is that there is something for everyone, been a pro max user and always got the highest end version of their iphone and it did really get stale especially from 15 PM to 16PM. good thing they came out with the Air and got me excited owning an iPhone again. new hardware from Apple fans is always a good thing for me 😊
 
lkosak said:
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 :D
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Don't worry, just don't feed the trolls. Your post helped a lot of people decide and the rest doesn't need to care.
 
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Ok so ive been back on forth on what phone to keep the 17 pro blue or Air white , I’ve finally decided ( i think ) and its the pro , i love the airs look and feel everything i could live with the camera even tho i use the telco and ultra cameras. The speaker is a not a problem don’t get me wrong id prefer the stereo speaker but its far from a dealbreaker to me.

So the battery on the air is better than I thought i can make a day if i use it a certain way that I’m just about ok with it but i feel if I’m dealing with that now a new phone , in 4-9 months as the battery degrades I’m going to start to really feel it and with that i feel next years Air 2 with hopefully a few upgrades in a few areas I’m day one and all in with the Air

The pro I really like in blue and overall it edges the air currently for me and I’m day one purchase for Air 2

Also i could keep my current phone 15 pro max but it has issues with call drop outs and overheating another year with it will drive me mad.
 
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I just finalized my decision but went the other direction. I think the aluminum build of the pro is just too meh for me. Fun year to live with the air.
 
This return policy must really offset apples green credentials! I wonder if they take this into account when publishing their green reports
 
Sheepish-Lord said:
Why? Not like they burn the returns, just repurposed.
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They keep talking about how green they are and hesding towards being carbon neutral or whatever the saying is etc.

Im saying the generous returns policy encourages people to try snd return snd im saying i bet those figures aren’t included in their green credentials.
 
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