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Other The iPhone Air is the Appetizer....

blairh

blairh

macrumors 603
Original poster
Dec 11, 2007
6,060
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The future folding iPhone is the main course.

Hate the weight of my 16 PM. Only got it because I prefer the larger width of the Plus/Pro Max for typing plus I needed the AOD.

The Air is most likely going to have an inferior battery, camera, and speaker, than my 16 PM. But I am thrilled to ditch all that for a super light device in-hand and in-pocket.

However what I truly want is that folding iPhone, which I do believe will be announced in the fall of 2026. So really the Air is going to be something fun and different to use for a year until the folding iPhone will be announced.

Anyone else feel this way as well?
 
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The iPhone Fold = 2 "Airs" with a hinge

If the renders based on the leaks are correct, the Fold will be a bit wider than the current models.
d6d284497c0f5ba6bd38d9f85721cce2f301ac3a5140fde79d1a35eda7607d9c.jpg
 
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blairh said:
The Air is most likely going to have an inferior battery, camera, and speaker, than my 16 PM. But I am thrilled to ditch all that for a super light device in-hand and in-pocket.
Click to expand...

If the battery lasts all day on the Air, does it matter if the Pro Max lasts a day and a half? I’m never going to be away from power that long so it’s not going to make a difference for me. Of course this is just for what I need. You or someone else might need that extra battery life so for them it is inferior.

With the speaker I never have the speaker blasting on my phone. That’s another non-issue for me.

The camera is slightly annoying, but I don’t really take enough pictures to make it worth carrying a heavy phone around with me.

I’m ready to buy that Air unless there’s something disappointing about it. For example, if it has the battery life of an iPhone 12 mini or 500 nits screen brightness max.
 
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For those to whom a folding phone holds some appeal, sure, it’ll be great. To many though, the appeal of the ‘Air’ is enough. A lighter phone is just what a lot of people want.

My list of requirement includes a wide angle lens, so we’ll see how we go.
 
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Bungaree.Chubbins said:
For those to whom a folding phone holds some appeal, sure, it’ll be great. To many though, the appeal of the ‘Air’ is enough. A lighter phone is just what a lot of people want.

My list of requirement includes a wide angle lens, so we’ll see how we go.
Click to expand...
I’ve been tempted to go to either the regular iPhone 16 or the 16e. The only reason I haven’t is because of the rumors about the Air. I like the larger screen, but I’m tired of carrying around a brick. Every time I pick up one of my friends regular iPhones, I don’t want to give it back. I tried to trade my 14 Pro Max for my brothers iPhone 12 but he wouldn’t do it 🤣
 
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Regular folding phones seem a bit of out date now, especially in 2027. It doesn’t expand enough to serve as a tablet replacement.

After seeing Mate XT trifold, Apple should really aim for something similar.
 
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My 16 plus would be absolutely perfect if it had a 120Hz display.

Am I right in saying the 'plus' line of iPhones is being replaced by the iPhone Air? If so, I'll never see a plus phone with 120Hz. Bummer!

Uncertainty around the iPhone Air's baddery life is steering me towards the 17 Pro max. Not sure about the extra weight though! Ooooohh decisions decisions!
 
I think we've been holding manufacturers to account in the wrong areas. Beyond bigger stats, there isn't much more you can do with a glass sandwich. A folding spoon is still a spoon. There is nothing wrong with this; laptops haven't changed in over 20 years.

Software however can be anything you want and yet we let Apple (and Google) get away with phoning in OS updates every year instead of demanding innovation in an area it can be easily achieved.
 
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DrCC said:
The iPhone Fold = 2 "Airs" with a hinge
Click to expand...
It's really not two Airs with a hinge, the form factor is completely different. The folded size is both wider than a Pro Max and shorter than an iPhone mini.

The Air also isn't a one-off, it will be continued alongside the foldable. Assuming it doesn’t unexpectedly flop, of course.
 
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maerz001 said:
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5: ~253 grams
  • Google Pixel Fold: ~283 grams
  • Huawei Mate X5: ~243 grams
  • Honor Magic V2: ~231 grams (one of the lightest book-style foldables)
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max weighs 227 grams
Click to expand...
The Huawei Pura X is already down to 194 g, however. But yes, the foldable iPhone will be a bit larger according to the rumored dimensions.
 
blairh said:
The Air is most likely going to have an inferior battery, camera, and speaker, than my 16 PM. But I am thrilled to ditch all that for a super light device in-hand and in-pocket.

However what I truly want is that folding iPhone, which I do believe will be announced in the fall of 2026. So really the Air is going to be something fun and different to use for a year until the folding iPhone will be announced.

Anyone else feel this way as well?
Click to expand...
I bought the 16PM because they didn't have any Pros in the color(s) I was interested in, and I primarily went Pro for the cameras. It's bigger and heavier than what I wanted, but I've gotten used to it for the most part.

But having recently purchased a Nikon MILC, I'm giving more serious consideration to a smaller and/or lighter phone, especially as I'm a light (30-45 minutes per day) phone user. Given the cameras will no longer be a draw for me on a phone, the 17 Air has now slipped onto the outer edge of my radar as one phone for consideration after I see how it gets on with end users.

I'm interested in seeing the iPhone fold and could afford one, but given my light phone usage I can't justify spending the money.
 
Dog Bone Malone said:
My 16 plus would be absolutely perfect if it had a 120Hz display.

Am I right in saying the 'plus' line of iPhones is being replaced by the iPhone Air? If so, I'll never see a plus phone with 120Hz. Bummer!

Uncertainty around the iPhone Air's baddery life is steering me towards the 17 Pro max. Not sure about the extra weight though! Ooooohh decisions decisions!
Click to expand...
Apple knows very well that a 17 Plus with 120hz Promotion, would seriously cannibalise 17 Pro Max sales.

So they change it to a fresh new design, very light 17 Air with a similar sized screen to the Plus, but with a 2800 Mh capacity battery with battery life similar to the 13 Mini. Apples goal of upselling you to Pro Max stays the same.

Shame really when you look at the S25 Edge and its specs (3900 Mh battery for starters, and same camera from the Ultra minus telephoto).
 
blairh said:
The Air is most likely going to have an inferior battery, camera, and speaker, than my 16 PM. But I am thrilled to ditch all that for a super light device in-hand and in-pocket.
Click to expand...

I upgraded to a 16pro from a 12 mini. The 16pro is an iPad mini compared to the 12/13 mini.

Apple already made a fine iPhone air in the 12/13 mini.
 
No, I think some similar design essentials such as the high density battery and the rigid aluminum frame will be common to those devices, but one has nothing to do with the other. The market for the Air and the hypothetical foldable are completely different.
 
blairh said:
The Air is most likely going to have an inferior battery, camera, and speaker, than my 16 PM. But I am thrilled to ditch all that for a super light device in-hand and in-pocket.
Click to expand...
I too, feel this way. The iPhone needs to be designed to be held in the hand by a human being. I've never held anything more awkward or uncomfortable that was actually sold as a handheld device. Handheld devices aren't meant to be made out of slippery metal or 90% glass. The Air design is a small step in the right direction. With a case on it, it will still be thinner and lighter than the 16 PM and will be much more pleasant to use.
 
maerz001 said:
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5: ~253 grams
  • Google Pixel Fold: ~283 grams
  • Huawei Mate X5: ~243 grams
  • Honor Magic V2: ~231 grams (one of the lightest book-style foldables)
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max weighs 227 grams
Click to expand...
Perfectly happy with more weight IF my device is a mini-tablet in my pocket. Not a tall rectangle.
 
Tozovac said:
I upgraded to a 16pro from a 12 mini. The 16pro is an iPad mini compared to the 12/13 mini.

Apple already made a fine iPhone air in the 12/13 mini.
Click to expand...
A large screen iPhone with the same weight as the 13 Mini could potentially tempt a lot of people though even with average battery life. You literally forget the 13 Mini is in your pocket or bag it’s that light, and a major USP in my opinion.
 
blairh said:
Perfectly happy with more weight IF my device is a mini-tablet in my pocket. Not a tall rectangle.
Click to expand...
you hate the weight of the max but would be perfectly happy with more weight. sorry can't follow. maybe you hate a tall rectangle and would be happy with a wide rectangle aka folding phone?
 
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