iPhone Air 1.0 and MBA 1.0 are perfect comparisons. You could clearly see they were the future, but their flaws were evident as well.
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iPhone Air The psychology of the iPhone Air crash outs
- Thread starter Joseph C
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Bit of a pivot, but I’ll engage.
You’re right that not everyone prioritises hardware specs, and that’s exactly why the Air is so interesting… it’s the first iPhone in years that’s not about ‘spec supremacy’, but about feel, design, and vibe.
For some people, especially given the Air has proven through the ‘better than expected’ reviews, that’s finally enough. But it’s pissed a lot of people off, or at best caused them to temporarily crash out (malfunction).
It’s curious how quickly some rush to call it ‘niche,’ ‘deficient,’ or ‘poor value’. It feels like the Air disrupted a hierarchy some people were comfortable with, where the Pro was both the most powerful and most desirable.
Now that the most beautiful iPhone isn’t the Pro, suddenly beauty is frivolous, and ‘value’ is everything?
That shift in reaction is what I was pointing out in my OP.
Not individual preferences, but the social discomfort around changing status cues. The fact that it’s being waved away as a ‘niche fashion phone’ kind of proves the point.
It’s clear from the reviews it’s still a great phone, despite the few compromises with camera/speaker. So why the endless barrage of anger/criticism for those that aren’t satisfied with its specs?
Yes, but the difference is, the people who buy the Pro (Max) aren't claiming it's thin and light.
But a subset of those users have made it their life’s mission to endlessly criticise the Air, for some unedifying and inexplicable reason. Why?
I agree with you. The new air is gorgeous. I don’t know what apple was thinking for the pros. I mean, I love the colors, that orange is beautiful! Finally apple gave us bolder colors… but the materials, the finishes… they look awful. They look like the iPhone 6s (which I never liked). The blue looks ok, it kind of works, but the orange and silver my god... I just wished apple used different materials for the pros. Even the base models look better imo.
If the orange model doesn’t sell well I’d hate if apple took this as a sign that people don’t want bold colors. It’s not the color, it’s the materials!
It's an interesting mini-conundrum which I've been feeling a small bit too, since I like the Air's thinness but don't like its limitations. That said, I've already decided to once again get a Pro Max. Here's why:
If someone buys a Pro model iPhone, it doesn't automatically means they're likely to have bought it as a status symbol, or the vague notion of "it's better". While someone buying a Pro model might not be shooting in Apple Log or editing with big 4K/8K workflows on the go, they're likely to have bought it simply for the larger battery, and/or for one of the cameras it has that the other models don't, or some other feature. The same goes for the Air, though sort of in reverse--people buying it aren't deliberately passing up features that they actually want, just so they can wave an Air in the air. How likely is that?
I think it's far more likely that the great majority of Air buyers simply want its thinness, and they like the fact that it has some previously Pro-level features, and they don't need more than one camera, etc. I'm not concerned about the slim minority that buy something as a status symbol despite it not having features they actually want, or features they don't actually use.
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Boils down to buy what you want and **** when it comes to the choices of others. In a perfect world, that is. But that world doesn't exist and I think what the OP is getting at with all their psycho-babble is that they'd like some sort of admission of guilt on the part of those chastising the choices of others. OP is obviously in the Air camp and has found "curiosity" in those who sort of mindlessly bash the choice to purchase a product that, to them, and maybe even as an attempt to manufacture controversy, they don't/refuse to understand. Problem is, OP is inadvertently doing the same thing by raising this fairly convoluted topic.
Personally, I'm leaning toward not upgrading this year and sticking with my 15PM. But if I were to upgrade I'd likely go Air for two reasons. One factual: it's thinner and lighter. One subjective: it's more attractive than the new Pro's. And while I can certainly appreciate why another person might see it in a different light and have their own motives for upgrading, I don't need to know the root cause of their opinion as the OP does, assuming they really care and aren't merely stirring the pot to manufacture their own controversy. BTW I'm only implying inclusion of the rational folks jumping in on this Pro vs Air argument. Not the trolls.
So I'd ask the OP, what do you want people to say here? The ones you seem to be perplexed by who are so outraged. Have them admit that they're your typical internet trolls who just want to jump on the bandwagon of flaming that which they don't like/understand rather than taking a beat and not being reactive? And, if so, why is any of that important to you?
I'm guessing it's really not.
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Exactly - the hate on the Air is because people like it/want it, yet can't make the sacrifice of cameras/battery/performance, so to cope, they turn the other way and say they hate it.
The Air is what Steve Jobs Apple would have built in 2025 - people don't know what they want until they are holding it. Desirability over functionality. The 17 Pro is the pinnacle of Tim Cook Apple - give people everything they think they want. Functionality over everything.
The problem of course is that the past 15 years there was always one device that encompassed both of those roles. Now they are split into two devices.
The Air is what Steve Jobs Apple would have built in 2025 - people don't know what they want until they are holding it. Desirability over functionality. The 17 Pro is the pinnacle of Tim Cook Apple - give people everything they think they want. Functionality over everything.
The problem of course is that the past 15 years there was always one device that encompassed both of those roles. Now they are split into two devices.
I expect some iPhone Mini owners like myself are eyeing the Air as a potential replacement.
Hence not many purchased the MBA 1.0 until its shortcoming were addressed. This really depends on Apple as MBA 1.0 also had some die-hard fans who purchased it with all limitations the only variable now is if a fold phone gets released next year then the Air is yesteryear news.
There's plenty of other threads about why the Air makes sense for a group of people... it's more for the "prosumer", doesn't need "pro" level performance, not a power user (so battery life is livable), ok with just having the main camera, uses Airpods primarily, etc.
I think the original thread is an interesting point around the subtleties and nuances of how the iPhone (and Apple products) have historically been tied to quasi-status symbols, and the underlying "energy" of those who buy iPhones. I think no doubt a group of people choose their iPhone with some amount (non-zero) of consideration of the "vibe" that it gives off.
10 / 15 years ago, Apple was still very much a "premium" brand. Its products were more expensive than others. But they were beautiful, had cutting edge design, and "just worked". It helped that it had the bona fides of many true "pros" in the industry, who said Apple products were better. So there was some legitimacy / authenticity to the premiumness of the brand.
Over time, and especially with the jolt of performance from Apple silicon, Apple continued to create more entry-level products which were tremendous value. And met the performance needs of a lot more people.
The MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro is a good microcosm I think of what just happened with the phones. With the Jony Ivey 2016 thin / touchbar MBP generation, the "new hotness" / sexy device also only came in the higher-end Pros. The MBPs, starting with the current 2021 design, started going more chonky / "really for pros". Meanwhile the MBA became more and more of a tremendous value performance wise (especially with current M4), still looks great, and the only real knock is not having the 120hz ProMotion screen.
The iPhone Air I think is continuing this trend, but is making the transition for prosumers easier, by offering 1) the same 120hz Promotion screen, 2) a (in-my-opinion) goldilocks size screen at 6.5" between the Pro's 6.3" and Pro Max's 6.9", 3) a more stylish, thin, premium look with the polished titanium rails, 4) still premium price but not outrageously so / still cheaper than the pros.
I made the decision to move from my 15 PM to the iPhone Air (before this was 13 Pro, 12 Pro, X), and pre-ordered for in-store pickup tomorrow.
While I like to think very little of my decision-making was because of the "status" of having the "cool new phone", I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some small factor involved in my choice to get the "new", "shiny", phone that I expect many I meet will ask to hold and check-out. I wouldn't have gotten it if a whole bunch of other factors didn't work for me, but I think Apple just hit the subjective point of "still good enough" for me based on my usage.
I think the original thread is an interesting point around the subtleties and nuances of how the iPhone (and Apple products) have historically been tied to quasi-status symbols, and the underlying "energy" of those who buy iPhones. I think no doubt a group of people choose their iPhone with some amount (non-zero) of consideration of the "vibe" that it gives off.
10 / 15 years ago, Apple was still very much a "premium" brand. Its products were more expensive than others. But they were beautiful, had cutting edge design, and "just worked". It helped that it had the bona fides of many true "pros" in the industry, who said Apple products were better. So there was some legitimacy / authenticity to the premiumness of the brand.
Over time, and especially with the jolt of performance from Apple silicon, Apple continued to create more entry-level products which were tremendous value. And met the performance needs of a lot more people.
The MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro is a good microcosm I think of what just happened with the phones. With the Jony Ivey 2016 thin / touchbar MBP generation, the "new hotness" / sexy device also only came in the higher-end Pros. The MBPs, starting with the current 2021 design, started going more chonky / "really for pros". Meanwhile the MBA became more and more of a tremendous value performance wise (especially with current M4), still looks great, and the only real knock is not having the 120hz ProMotion screen.
The iPhone Air I think is continuing this trend, but is making the transition for prosumers easier, by offering 1) the same 120hz Promotion screen, 2) a (in-my-opinion) goldilocks size screen at 6.5" between the Pro's 6.3" and Pro Max's 6.9", 3) a more stylish, thin, premium look with the polished titanium rails, 4) still premium price but not outrageously so / still cheaper than the pros.
I made the decision to move from my 15 PM to the iPhone Air (before this was 13 Pro, 12 Pro, X), and pre-ordered for in-store pickup tomorrow.
While I like to think very little of my decision-making was because of the "status" of having the "cool new phone", I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some small factor involved in my choice to get the "new", "shiny", phone that I expect many I meet will ask to hold and check-out. I wouldn't have gotten it if a whole bunch of other factors didn't work for me, but I think Apple just hit the subjective point of "still good enough" for me based on my usage.
Really? It’s enormous compared to the mini. Other than it being light in hand, it’s a wildly different device.
This isn’t happening. And it’s rather hilarious that people think it is.
I’m sure if anyone wanted the Air but couldn’t stomach its shortcomings, they would just say that. They don’t have to let their disappointment and frustration channel into hate for the device. This theory is so bananas guys seriously.
We have seen these arguments made with iPhone Mini and I owned one and still miss it but compared to the regular iPhone it was poor value and it was also introduced during the pandemic when many were WFH.
Then Apple decided after two years or lacklustre sales to go with Plus and for what one got it was great value but people still preferred the regular sized because unless it’s market specific people who want large screen phones want all the bells and whistles hence the Pro Max does well.
The iPhone Air is an iPhone Plus neutered and calling it a revolutionary device because it’s slim is just misleading, physics says removing things will make things lighter and thinner it’s just logical.
After the honeymoon phase of oh ah it’s so thin and light wear-off it’s still running iOS like every other iPhone with compromises. Battery life will degrade and if this is marketed as “all-day” now just imagine in 2 years times this thing will need to be replaced, now how is that for environmentally friendly Apple.
Had the iPhone Air be priced similar to the regular iPhone 17 then that would be a bit of a hard decision but at this point it’s a proof-of-concept albeit a short lived one if the fold makes an appearance next year.
My prediction in 2026 we will have iPhone Air, iPhone Pro/Max and iPhone Ultra (fold). iPhone E will be the MacBook (AS) of the Apple laptop world.
Yep and if your pants are falling maybe it’s time for a belt or better fitting pants, you ain’t some rapper exposing that plumbers crack so just stop the nonsense delusion 😝
Unfortunately, all phones are enormous nowadays. The Air being thin and light might help with holding it. We’ll see.
You’re preaching to the quire. If you tell a malfunctioning person why they are malfunctioning they only malfunction more and get defensive.
It surprises me how out of tune so many people are with their emotions and what causes it. They only react and don’t analyze why they feel a certain way. You are very emotionally intelligent Joseph. I wish I knew more people like you.
I want the Air. I suspect I can't stomach its shortcomings, but I ordered one anyway. I'll try it for a week and determine if I can or can't, then return it for a Pro Max if I can't.
But it's also true there is a LOT of Air bashing going on. A lot of people actively going into threads to trash it, say people who are buying it are stupid, or sheep, or whatever. The only time I've seen something similar recently was the Vision Pro. Why that's the case, I'm not going to speculate; but it's definitely happening. With the Vision Pro, I thought it was a combination of "I want one but it's too expensive so I'm lashing out" and people who generally don't like the idea of headsets lashing out because they wanted the product category to fail in general.
But I don't understand why people are so upset about the Air that they're coming in and trolling the Air threads (Not accusing you of doing that, to be clear). I mean, a while back a bunch of Power Users were asking for a modular phone. That's kinda what the Air is. Want a better battery? Just slap one on the back. Want better sound? Slap in AirPods. So you think they' be excited (Yeah, I know that's not what they actually meant.). And others have been saying for years "just give me a better battery, I don't care if it makes the phone heavier." Well, the Air is going to give Apple "permission" to do that.
I’m late to the thread but just came to say that it’s fantastic that they are splitting the high end and optimising for luxury / design vs for performance separately.
After years of trying to balance the two, there will be less of a need to compromise for either - people can pick what suits them better and I think opens up a better market with the air (and its future models) than the plus iPhones or Minis would.
(I think the Mini’s big problem was that its audience was split between it and the SE’s but that’s a conversation for another thread).
After years of trying to balance the two, there will be less of a need to compromise for either - people can pick what suits them better and I think opens up a better market with the air (and its future models) than the plus iPhones or Minis would.
(I think the Mini’s big problem was that its audience was split between it and the SE’s but that’s a conversation for another thread).
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Anyone trashing the Air is an idiot. It obviously has a lot going for it, despite its shortcomings.
Anyone pointing out its flaws (like me) is not a hater. We are simply stating the truth.
The original point, that this general Air backlash is due to previous Pro buyers being frustrated by it in any way, shape, or form, is ridiculous.
I think the better working theory is that people aren't very open-minded to change. I'm a very big fan of foldables. I'm going to pre-order the folding iPhone next year. But there have been countless comments on this forum that the future folding iPhone is a terrible thing for a variety of reasons. I choose not to engage with those people because I know they are coming from a place of ignorance. And if anyone comes on this forum and completely dismisses the Air, it's the same ignorance as well.
Now I'm tempted again
I wish it had the regular 17 camera I would have gone for it without reservation - also if there was a 17+ (screen size of air or pro max) I would have gone for that. I don't need all the max features but I want the screen size and a dual camera system. It is what it is .. I'll still check out the air in store wont rule it out.
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