Two Weeks With the iPhone Air: Is Ultra-Thin Worth the Compromises?

[MacRumors]

The iPhone Air features the first redesigned form factor that Apple has come out with in several years, but it's not without compromises because of its thin design. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using the iPhone Air as his main device for the last two weeks to see if those compromises are worth dealing with day-to-day.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

The "awe" feeling of using a lightweight, compact iPhone doesn't go away over time, and it's still a delight to use such a thin device. 6.5 inches is an ideal screen size, and even though it's a large phone, it's not heavy. If you've ever had hand strain from using a brick-like iPhone Pro or Pro Max, the Air will be a relief. It's just all-around easier to hold than Apple's heavier iPhones.

Unfortunately, the matte black iPhone Air accumulates fingerprints and smudges, which is a problem when you're using it without a case. The lighter colors like white, gold, and blue look less grimy over time. In practice, Apple's new sky blue color is such a light shade that it's almost white with just a hint of blue.

The iPhone Air's strong titanium frame isn't going to bend, based on multiple tests. The Ceramic Shield 2 at the front is more resistant to scratches, and the Ceramic Shield at the back also holds up better to drops. It's more durable, which is a good thing for a device you might not want to put a case on.

Apple swapped titanium for aluminum in the iPhone 17 Pro models because aluminum is better at dissipating heat, but the iPhone Air still uses titanium for durability. Like the titanium iPhone 16 models, the iPhone Air can get warm to the touch. There is a noticeable difference between the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro and the A19 Pro in the iPhone Air when it is under heavy load, and there is occasionally some throttling on the Air.

The iPhone Air has the smallest battery of the 2025 iPhone lineup, but some people may be able to get through the day without needing to recharge. The battery lasts longer than the iPhone 16 battery, but it doesn't come close to the battery life you can get with the iPhone 17 Pro Max or even the 17 Pro.

Another major compromise is the camera. The iPhone Air has a single-lens Fusion camera, which is basically the same as the main wide-angle camera in the other iPhone 17 models. You don't get ultra-wide images, Telephoto images, or macro photos, plus there's no option to capture spatial photos and videos for the Vision Pro. If you're someone that uses more than the wide-angle lens, you might miss the versatility you get with other iPhones.

At $999, the iPhone Air is $200 more than the iPhone 17 and $100 less than the iPhone 17 Pro, so it's an expensive device that does cause you to lose out on some features. It's the iPhone to get if you want to prioritize thin and light over everything else, but you can get more functionality by spending $200 less or $100 more.

Article Link: Two Weeks With the iPhone Air: Is Ultra-Thin Worth the Compromises?

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Definitely worth it until you bend it and then Steve Jobs sends you an email: “you’re sitting on it wrong.”

 

[rappr]

The battery isn’t a compromise if you’re upgrading from an older phone. My Air gets better battery life than my 15 Pro ever did.

 

[Hank001]

Really, a 521 word writeup is now considered a review? Where's AnandTech when you want a proper 19 page review? Good grief, this writer is seriously lacking.

 

[snipr125]

Finally got to try the Air at an Apple store last Saturday, and yes definitely it is a beautiful device, great to hold in the hand and really lightweight. Would have really considered one in a smaller size.

 

[macplow]

I'm sticking with the Air. I am a pro user. I miss the cameras. But the difference in day to day use when not using the camera (99% of use) is dramatic. Battery is same as 16 pro. Speaker sounds fine. It's the first real new iphone since the X.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Definitely worth it until you bend it and then Steve Jobs sends you an email: “you’re sitting on it wrong.”

Good luck trying to bend it; have you seen the YouTube tests? Sitting on it won't do it.

 

[Andres Cantu]

I feel like the lack of the LiDAR sensor isn’t talked about enough. That can impact the quality of photos, as well.

 

[akb]

The "awe" feeling of using a lightweight, compact iPhone doesn't go away over time

You’ve had it 2 weeks.

 

[QCassidy352]

It’s not that light. 12g lighter than the regular 17.

 

[apple2me]

Actually had to return it after a week of use. It turns the width of the phone caused me more problem to hold the device as compare to the weight. Tried 17 pro and found it to be more comfortable. I think iPhone 17 would also be fine. Other issues such as battery and camera were not major deal breaker for me.

 

[klasma]

It’s not that light. 12g lighter than the regular 17.

And heavier than the regular 12.

 

[acblue94]

The iPhone Air features the first redesigned form factor that Apple has come out with in several years, but it's not without compromises because of its thin design. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using the iPhone Air as his main device for the last two weeks to see if those compromises are worth dealing with day-to-day.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

The "awe" feeling of using a lightweight, compact iPhone doesn't go away over time, and it's still a delight to use such a thin device. 6.5 inches is an ideal screen size, and even though it's a large phone, it's not heavy. If you've ever had hand strain from using a brick-like iPhone Pro or Pro Max, the Air will be a relief. It's just all-around easier to hold than Apple's heavier iPhones.

Unfortunately, the matte black iPhone Air accumulates fingerprints and smudges, which is a problem when you're using it without a case. The lighter colors like white, gold, and blue look less grimy over time. In practice, Apple's new sky blue color is such a light shade that it's almost white with just a hint of blue.

The iPhone Air's strong titanium frame isn't going to bend, based on multiple tests. The Ceramic Shield 2 at the front is more resistant to scratches, and the Ceramic Shield at the back also holds up better to drops. It's more durable, which is a good thing for a device you might not want to put a case on.

Apple swapped titanium for aluminum in the iPhone 17 Pro models because aluminum is better at dissipating heat, but the iPhone Air still uses titanium for durability. Like the titanium iPhone 16 models, the iPhone Air can get warm to the touch. There is a noticeable difference between the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro and the A19 Pro in the iPhone Air when it is under heavy load, and there is occasionally some throttling on the Air.

The iPhone Air has the smallest battery of the 2025 iPhone lineup, but some people may be able to get through the day without needing to recharge. The battery lasts longer than the iPhone 16 battery, but it doesn't come close to the battery life you can get with the iPhone 17 Pro Max or even the 17 Pro.

Another major compromise is the camera. The iPhone Air has a single-lens Fusion camera, which is basically the same as the main wide-angle camera in the other iPhone 17 models. You don't get ultra-wide images, Telephoto images, or macro photos, plus there's no option to capture spatial photos and videos for the Vision Pro. If you're someone that uses more than the wide-angle lens, you might miss the versatility you get with other iPhones.

At $999, the iPhone Air is $200 more than the iPhone 17 and $100 less than the iPhone 17 Pro, so it's an expensive device that does cause you to lose out on some features. It's the iPhone to get if you want to prioritize thin and light over everything else, but you can get more functionality by spending $200 less or $100 more.

Article Link: Two Weeks With the iPhone Air: Is Ultra-Thin Worth the Compromises?

Battery is great, same as my 16 pro. I don’t use telephoto. I use AirPods 98% of the time. Don’t get mmWave nor do I use the LiDAR sensor…. So not sacrificing anything.

 

[Donkey Man]

The battery isn’t a compromise if you’re upgrading from an older phone. My Air gets better battery life than my 15 Pro ever did.

Same here - this nonsense about "battery compromises" has to be dismissed completely, particularly when comparing battery life with virtually EVERY previous iPhone out there (except maybe newer Maxes) - in any case, not everyone here is buying the monstrosity known as iPhone 17 Pro Max.

As for cameras, similar BS keeps being spread all over the place - not everyone is a TikToker or iJustine, nor a social media lemming whose life depends on telephoto cameras or the like. I have taken hundreds of great pics (portrait or otherwise) with my iPhone XR, and have never needed three cameras for that.

The iPhone Air is, by far, the most compelling Apple option in the market right now - the other new models don't even come close.

 

[ChrisMac47]

"it's not heavy"

Well, it's not light either, at 165 grams it's 30 grams (a little over an ounce) heavier than the 5 year old iPhone 12 mini !

Bring back the Minis!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Actually had to return it after a week of use. It turns the width of the phone caused me more problem to hold the device as compare to the weight. Tried 17 pro and found it to be more comfortable. I think iPhone 17 would also be fine. Other issues such as battery and camera were not major deal breaker for me.

Width is a really under discussed aspect of usability in hand for these devices.

 

[Mazda 3s]

Really, a 521 word writeup is now considered a review? Where's AnandTech when you want a proper 19 page review? Good grief, this writer is seriously lacking.

The "review" is the nearly 15-minute-long embedded YouTube video. I consider this the Cliff's Notes. I thought that was pretty self-explanatory...

As for me, I love my iPhone Air. Similar battery life to my iPhone 16 Pro in a more compact frame. I don't even miss the telephoto and wide-angle cameras (which I rarely used anyway).

 

[HMWausau]

"but some people may be able to get through the day without needing to recharge"

It's simply insane that people find it acceptable that a phone can't make it through an entire day without charging. I so miss the days when a phone could go several days if needed. Yeah, they didn't do as much, but seriously. Give us a phone that can make it a week. Make the screen small enough so it can fit in the pocket. No, it doesn't have to be as thin as a piece of paper.

The iPhone mini 13 is so much the ideal size phone, why doesn't Apple offer that? Smaller is far more important than thinner!!!!!

 

[magicschoolbus]

"it's not heavy"

Well, it's not light either, at 165 grams it's 30 grams (a little over an ounce) heavier than the 5 year old iPhone 12 mini !

Bring back the Minis!

Mini Air

 

[turbineseaplane]

"but some people may be able to get through the day without needing to recharge"

It's simply insane that people find it acceptable that a phone can't make it through an entire day without charging. I so miss the days when a phone could go several days if needed. Yeah, they didn't do as much, but seriously. Give us a phone that can make it a week. Make the screen small enough so it can fit in the pocket. No, it doesn't have to be as thin as a piece of paper.

The iPhone mini 13 is so much the ideal size phone, why doesn't Apple offer that? Smaller is far more important than thinner!!!!!

It's so maddening.

I wish they'd make a phone that advertised it "does less" but "lasts way longer on battery".

There are plenty of people who need nowhere NEAR the horsepower they are insisting on jamming into all these devices.

 

[winxmac]

The iPhone Air is a preview to Apple's answer to Samsung's Galaxy Fold.

I know the iPhone mini may never come back but I still wish Apple brings it back in the future.

 

[zenmacx]

The honeymoon period is still in effect. It’s far too soon to judge what this model will be like over the long haul.

It has been so long since Apple has offered anything new and exciting, many people are starved for something different.

Lacking two speakers, two cameras and a larger battery like the similar sized Galaxy S25 Edge, reveals how many Apple buyers will accept just anything the company offers no matter its shortcomings.

 

[ab2c4]

I have tried out the Air in the Apple store and I am getting the Air because it has one feature the more expensive Pro's and less expensive Iphone's don't have: a thin light weight design that is enjoyable for once to actually hold in your hand. The Pro's now look and feel like old fashioned phones after seeing and using the Air.

 

[Donkey Man]

I have tried out the Air in the Apple store and I am getting the Air because it has one feature the more expensive Pro's and less expensive Iphone's don't have: a thin light weight design that is enjoyable for once to actually hold in your hand. The Pro's now look and feel like old fashioned phones after seeing and using the Air.

Not only old fashioned and heavy, but also simply hideous.

 

[ksec]

The battery isn’t a compromise if you’re upgrading from an older phone. My Air gets better battery life than my 15 Pro ever did.

Exactly. Most, if not all the review are comparing to the wrong products. The Air measured against 13, 13 Pro, 14, 14 Pro and 15 or 15 Pro, and in some cases Pro Max in these variants are doing about as good or better.

Measured against a brand new 15 Pro the Air will still last longer without battery degradation. That is because the 15 Pro has less than 3300 mah.

Give it another 2 generation with battery improvements and better components, we have decent enough technology for iPhone Air Mini. Nearly All iPhone Large model have 20% larger screen area than their smaller model. An iPhone Air Mini would be 5.9" ( or 5.94" ).