iPhone Air The two types of people who use iPhone Air

[awshucks]

I have recently figured out that most iPhone Air owners likely fit into two categories.

1. There are those who are curious for new tech all the time, and find the Air something cool and different. They will only keep the Air 1-2 years. Their next phone will probably be a Fold/Ultra.
2. There are those who will be so happy with the thin and light form factor that they will not want to upgrade from it just like the iPhone 12/13 mini owners. This is assuming that Apple does not come out with any more Airs after the 2. These people will keep their Air 1/Air 2 for 7+ years.

Personally, I've been upgrading my phone every 2 years. I wonder if I can make it to 4 years this time.
What category do you fall in as an Air owner?

Whether or not you own one, I'd like to see some elaboration on my thoughts.

 

[mlayer]

I would consider myself a #2 in your descriptions. I like the Air a lot, and I expect to keep it for two years if not longer. However, Apple is reportedly slated to release a slew of phones in the next 18 months, which could change my strategy. I also owned a 12 mini which I also kept for 3 years.

 

[James6s]

I’d say I’m mainly number 2 but the first sentence of number 1 sort of applies as well! I have no interest in the foldable iPhone though.

I got an Air on launch day last year but convinced myself that the compromises were too much, so I sold it! Fast forward to May 2026 and I got myself another Air after constantly thinking about it and the lasting impression it left… this time around I love it and appreciate it much more.

I’ll no doubt be getting the Air 2 next year, and after that I’ll see what the iPhone 20th anniversary brings to the table, and possibly pick one up into 2028! Hopefully it won’t be a thick heavy brick lol

 

[3Rock]

For me, I had the 17 Pro Max and after a few short months, I decided to exchange it and got the air. Very happy with my decision and my next phone will probably be the fold/ultra.

 

[bevsb2]

I'm in group 2 and have had the Air since launch. I'll upgrade to the Air 2 when it comes out and if it doesn't I'll keep the Air 1 for another year and then probably go back to the Pro (not max). I don't have any interest in a folding phone.

 

[Macdctr]

I have been a Pro Max user without a doubt since the 11 Pro Max when it came out then I upgraded from that iPhone to my 15 Pro Max and until 6 months ago had this mindset until I got my Air on launch then realized the Air shared some similarities as the 12 mini and 13 mini regarding bad publicity so I purchased one of each to try out and realized just how much I liked the small 5.4 inch form factor.

I guess I fall into category #2 as I’m using my Green 256GB 13 mini as my backup iPhone to my Air. My only regret is that I never looked at either the 12 mini or 13 mini when it was being sold. My mindset on getting a new iPhone has changed as a result.

 

[eyoungren]

Personally, I've been upgrading my phone every 2 years. I wonder if I can make it to 4 years this time.

I am 5+ years on with my 11 Pro Max. And you wonder if you can make it 4 years. SMH.

I am neither. Not interested in the Air, not interested in a folding phone. And unlike @Macdctr this is unlikely to change for me. The moment Apple offers a phone larger than the Pro Max, I'm on it.

On my desk sits my iPhone 5 and my wife's iPhone 5. And at any time I can reach over and grab my 3GS, 4 or 4s. These devices serve to remind me that as great as these old phones were in their day (the iPhone 5 was my primary from 2012 to 2015), smaller phones are now too small for me.

I do agree with your assessment about iPhone Air users though. I believe it's a common enough assessment that can apply to just about any unique Apple device.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If Apple releases an iPhone Air 2, (which I really don't think will happen) I will upgrade. Unless something changes, I am not currently interested in spending $2K+ on an iPhone, especially when I don't use it as much as a lot of people do. I have no desire to make the iPhone my sole or primary device. I am also not interested in going back to a thick pro max.

 

[RumorConsumer]

I couldn't justify carrying a brick in my pocket. My wrist hasn't hurt since I got the Air at launch. No regrets here. Have had every phone since 1, always got Pro when it was a thing. Til now.

 

[Marko3563]

I am #1. I went with the Air last year and I will still defend it as a beautiful device that is unique and gets hate that it doesnt deserve.

However, I have realized over the year that I do miss the extra cameras and the battery leaves much to be desired so I may suck it up and go back to the Pro Max. I have NO REGRETS with this beauty and love its thin design, but I do miss the tradeoffs.

 

[gigaguy]

I think Air 2 is in Apple's plans. My (discounted) Air is so pleasant to use. I like finding ways to be less gadget focused. My 15 Pro Max had the worst battery and overheating I've ever had (79% life after 2.5 years). It may be the Texas heat but my iPhone XR lasted 2X as long. I'm done with Apple's yearly creep of 'must have' iphone tech. The Air is a refreshing change..

 

[arc of the universe]

I have recently figured out that most iPhone Air owners likely fit into two categories.

1. There are those who are curious for new tech all the time, and find the Air something cool and different. They will only keep the Air 1-2 years. Their next phone will probably be a Fold/Ultra.
2. There are those who will be so happy with the thin and light form factor that they will not want to upgrade from it just like the iPhone 12/13 mini owners. This is assuming that Apple does not come out with any more Airs after the 2. These people will keep their Air 1/Air 2 for 7+ years.

Whether or not you own one, I'd like to see some elaboration on my thoughts.

i haven't ever thought about it in the way you have parsed it.
but it does appear you have been able to neatly define the two (very different) groups.
i am in the 2nd group.
i wanted thin and light yet semi-big. all three were important for me.
but i don't think it will last 7 years...
when i bought it i factored in a (likely) slightly shorter time before i need to have the internal battery replaced (probably after 3 years i figure). i bought it in september 2025 and the battery is (of course) still 100%. but what surprises me is the cycle count is still only 121 as of today, in spite of having used it for around 250 days. i keep it at an 80% charging level to see if it will help with long term battery health. will know in a few years.
im thinking it was a great purchase and probably i will simply want to get a new phone in maybe 5 years.

 

[stanza.richi]

I was an enthusiastic of 12 mini. After 2 years I upgraded to 14 Pro Max for better battery and better camera. After 3 years of 14PM, I found the Air a great way to reduce the weight and keep good performance.

For the future, I will see: sometimes I miss telephoto and ultrawide, most of the times I think that I can’t came back to the bulk of Pro & Pro Max series.

 

[Macdctr]

I have been enjoying my Air’s very thin form factor since getting it at launch so the only way I see upgrading from my current Space Black Air is if and when the Air2 comes out supposedly next Spring from what I have seen. If what I have been seeing is right, having a 48 megapixel ultra wide angle camera added to it’s current 48 megapixel fusion main camera, a longer lasting silicone carbon battery, and hopefully a few more nice improvements (I’d love to see the USB-C 3.0 port added), would make a perfect upgrade from the current Air. We’ll see what the future brings.

Unless Apple brings back the mini iPhones with improved tech, which I don’t see ever happening, the Air to me, is the next best choice because of how thin and light the Air’s form factor is as well as having the Pro series processor and 12 GB RAM.

 

[Paul1964]

There's a third category - form over function. Those that like to pay more for less features because is thin and shiny.

 

[rui no onna]

2. There are those who will be so happy with the thin and light form factor that they will not want to upgrade from it just like the iPhone 12/13 mini owners. This is assuming that Apple does not come out with any more Airs after the 2. These people will keep their Air 1/Air 2 for 7+ years.

Personally, I've been upgrading my phone every 2 years. I wonder if I can make it to 4 years this time.
What category do you fall in as an Air owner?[/COLOR]

Whether or not you own one, I'd like to see some elaboration on my thoughts.

I'm in the #2 camp. I'm coming from a long line of practically identical 4.7" iPhones (iPhone 6, 6s, 7, SE 2020, SE 2022).

I actually returned my first iPhone Air (sky blue/cool white) because it was too unwieldy one-handed for my small hands and got the iPhone 17 instead.

I missed the large screen size in thin and light form factor so I got the Air (black) recently when I saw it on promo for $5/mo with no trade-in at AT&T. I just operate it with two hands most of the time. The iPhone 17 wasn't much better for one-handed use anyway.

 

[Macdctr]

I myself love using my 13 mini any time I’m using mine however the Air, although much larger in size, has been surprisingly nice to use but I tend to use both hands when using my Air. To me the Air reminds me of the mini in how light and thin this device is as well as how it seems to disappear inside your pockets like the mini does although it is much bigger in size. This is what I have found using the two devices side by side.

 

[bryo]

I like mine, nice big screen but super light, if I’m going to be gone all day and night I just bring the MagSafe battery, it’s no problem at all.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

There's a third category - form over function. Those that like to pay more for less features because is thin and shiny.

I'm form over function. The shiny bit or the fact that it is new and different does not interest me. My iPhone is a tool I sort of need because it unlocks my car and our garage door. I have very few apps on my iPhone and I need all of them. None of them are unused.

I like to carry as little as possible. My wallet is the absolute minimum. No car key fob which is a plus and I like my iPhone as small as possible. I'm tempted to replace my 14 Pro with the Air because the Air is so much thinner. Of course, the Air is larger in surface area so I'm kind of undecided.

Features like speakers and cameras mean nothing to me. I take a few pics when we are out but we never print them. Thin matters. In fact, I'll take thin over battery life any day because I have a desk job and I can charge in the car. Battery life is never an issue for me.

 

[Macdctr]

I'm tempted to replace my 14 Pro with the Air because the Air is so much thinner. Of course, the Air is larger in surface area so I'm kind of undecided.

You have to physically hold the Air and do an actual comparison between your 14 Pro and the Air. Pictured below are my Space Black Air and my Blue Titanium 15 Pro for comparison.

The Air is bigger, sure . . . it has a 6.5 inch display but is deceptively light and I really love its thin frame. It feels like you’re holding the display whereas the 15 Pro feels heavier, not by much due to its titanium frame, and is thicker like all Pro series iPhones. In my pocket I tend to notice my 15 Pro much more than I do with my Air and you can’t bend this device if it is in your pocket. I have seen videos of the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max having bent frames. Not so with the Air in normal usage. You really have to go out of your way, like Jerry Rigs, to bend this device.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

You have to physically hold the Air and do an actual comparison between your 14 Pro and the Air. Pictured below are my Space Black Air and my Blue Titanium 15 Pro for comparison.

The Air is bigger, sure . . . it has a 6.5 inch display but is deceptively light and I really love its thin frame. It feels like you’re holding the display whereas the 15 Pro feels heavier, not by much due to its titanium frame, and is thicker like all Pro series iPhones.

I know! I've played with it in the Apple Store. It's crazy to hold, crazy light and I loved it!

There's 2 things holding me back right now:

- my 14 Pro is in a cover so there's absolutely nothing wrong with it - I suppose I could trade it in

and

- the Air was released in September which means that - if it's on an annual update scheme - the Air 2 is only a few months away

I'm not in a hurry, just biding my time.

Been playing with the compare function on Apple's website to see difference in width and height but your picture really helps. Thanks for that! 🏆

 

[Macdctr]

I know! I've played with it in the Apple Store. It's crazy to hold, crazy light and I loved it!

There's 2 things holding me back right now:

- my 14 Pro is in a cover so there's absolutely nothing wrong with it - I suppose I could trade it in

and

- the Air was released in September which means that - if it's on an annual update scheme - the Air 2 is only a few months away

I'm not in a hurry, just biding my time.

Been playing with the compare function on Apple's website to see difference in width and height but your picture really helps. Thanks for that! 🏆

The Air 2 won’t be coming out this September. Apple is holding off on the Air 2 until March 2027 for their Spring release.

The iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max and Ultra, Apple’s first folding iPhone, is scheduled for this September’s release.

I intend to get the Air 2 as soon as it is available for pre-ordering.

I can say from having my Air since launch, I have been very pleased using this device. I haven’t been disappointed using this device because I understand both its strong and weak points. I haven’t had any battery anxiety issues using this device, have not experienced any performance related issues - I don’t do any CPU/Graphics heavy tasking on it, the audio is adequate and if I require better I have my AirPod Pro 3 earbuds I can use and there’s the camera. I have my 15 Pro and 17 Pro if I require a better camera and if I still require a better camera, I have my Nikon D850 DSLR to use. Point being for my use case the Air has been splendid to use long term👍🏽

 

[That70sGAdawg]

My only real complaint is the low sound level on the single speaker. I don't walk around with earbuds in and wish they would increase the level with software or at the least include a second speaker on the bottom in version 2!

 

[BeerDrinkerDan]

My only real complaint is the low sound level on the single speaker. I don't walk around with earbuds in and wish they would increase the level with software or at the least include a second speaker on the bottom in version 2!

So you're that guy on the plane, the train, in the airport lounge, on the bus, and at the restaurant! Man, you sure get around.

-bdd

 

[joefrank64k]

I’m #1 for sure, haha!!

I’ve been on the iPhone train since 2007 - OG iPhone through Air, upgrade every year.

I got off the Pro Max train when I saw the Air announced. Reminds me of my favorite TouchID iPhone, the 7+. Thin, light, rounded edges, and a big screen.

I will 100% be ordering a Fold/Ultra on pre-order day. Really looking forward to something different, even it turns out to be a bit half-baked.

ETA: Is anyone else’s Air warped? I noticed the MagSafe pack wasn’t lying flat and sure enough, it’s the Air that’s bent, haha!!