Apple introduced its newest lineup of iPhones at first of September, but it surely shook issues up this 12 months with a shiny new iPhone among the many common culprits.
The iPhone Air is the corporate’s “thinnest iPhone ever”, but it surely’s additionally one of many slimmest smartphones interval – at 5.6mm, it’s even thinner than the 5.8mm Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.
Now, a few of you’ll little doubt be sitting there pondering, “who cares, it’s only a slimmer iPhone”, and that’s honest as a result of to a point, you aren’t fallacious. Nonetheless, having used the iPhone Air for the final week, I’d argue that it’s way more than only a skinny cellphone with no substance.
Listed here are 5 huge explanation why it’s value contemplating.
A shocking, future-gazing design
I’ll begin with the design as a result of let’s be sincere, that’s what the iPhone Air is all about.
At 5.6mm, it’s thinner than a pencil and precisely the identical thickness as two one-pound cash on prime of one another. I do know as a result of I checked as a way to give some real-world context.
I do imagine it is a gadget that you must maintain and use your self to actually admire, however a minimum of that reference offers you some indication of how skinny 5.6mm really is.
Britta O’Boyle / Foundry
The body is a sophisticated titanium, and whereas I might have chosen a matt end just like the iPhone 17 Professional fashions, it does lead to a really premium-looking cellphone. In fact, it is best to anticipate no much less from a cellphone that begins at £999/$999.
Nonetheless, the mirrored end does love a fingerprint thoughts, so be ready to wipe it incessantly until you set a case on it.
This can be a gadget that you must maintain and use your self to actually admire
When you’re serious about a case, although, I’d urge you to think about if the Air is basically the cellphone for you. The official Bumper Case nonetheless lets you expertise the texture of the sleek, soft-to-touch rear (protected with Ceramic Protect for higher scratch resistance), however there’s no denying it takes away a number of the enchantment of this cellphone by protecting the body.
With no case, it’s gloriously light-weight (coming in at simply 165g), and the slim body feels excellent. Crucially, although, the iPhone Air appears like one half of what a foldable iPhone may very well be sooner or later. Based mostly on my expertise with the Air thus far, I’d be all in favour of two Airs in a single gadget.
The sensible entrance digicam is excellent
With regards to the rear digicam, there are some huge compromises on the iPhone Air. It solely has a single sensor, although Apple claims that this 48Mp ‘Fusion’ digicam will get you the equal of 4 lenses in a single.
What this implies is which you could shoot in numerous focal lengths from that one sensor by leaping between them within the Digicam app, with choices for 24mm (1x), 26mm (1.1x), 28mm (1.4x) and 35mm (2x). The 35mm choice is the place you’ll discover the extent of the Air’s zoom capabilities, maxing out at 2x optical. It could do as much as 10x digital, however I might by no means advocate utilizing digital zoom on any cellphone for those who care in regards to the picture high quality.
Outcomes from the only predominant digicam are sensible
The iPhone Air can’t shoot in macro for the tremendous close-up pictures both, and there’s no ultra-wide digicam (in contrast to the usual iPhone 17) for the occasions if you wish to match slightly extra into your shot. These compromises are simple and restrict the flexibility of the digicam system as an entire.
Nonetheless, outcomes from the only predominant digicam are sensible. They provide loads of element, with naturally balanced colors and a constantly high-quality photograph that few handsets can match. I’ve been happy with all of the pictures I’ve taken over the past week, in each good lighting and low gentle.
Britta O’Boyle / Foundry
The entrance digicam can be wonderful. It’s an 18Mp ‘Centre Stage’ lens, matching what you’ll discover on the iPhone 17 and the 17 Professional fashions, and an improve on the 12Mp sensor present in the previous couple of generations of iPhone.
The Centre Stage tech is similar as what’s been on the iPad for years, conserving you within the body for those who transfer round. If another person joins your selfie, the entrance digicam on the iPhone Air zooms out to get them in. It’s much like the Auto Zoom function on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 when it’s in Flex Mode and works very nicely.
Moreover, on-screen buttons let you seamlessly change between a portrait and a panorama selfie with out rotating the cellphone. It’s excellent, and stops the awkward pictures the place individuals aren’t trying in the identical course. The Twin Seize function that lets you concurrently report your response and movie utilizing the rear cameras is nice too, and one I can see getting used for the likes of sporting occasions or live shows.
It’s received a Professional-level show
You may need to make do with one rear digicam lens on the iPhone Air, however you don’t must deal with a sub-par show. You’ll discover an similar show to the iPhone 17 Professional fashions when it comes to know-how, and that features the ProMotion tech that permits for a dynamic refresh charge as much as 120Hz.
Now, you possibly can’t select what refresh charge the show is utilizing at anyone time – the OS decides for you – but it surely means you get a stunning, clean scrolling expertise virtually on a regular basis.
When it comes to dimension, the iPhone Air is 6.5 inches, placing it between the iPhone 17’s 6.3-inch show and the 17 Professional Max’s 6.9-inch panel. In my view, it’s the right dimension, providing you a sufficiently big display to observe films on and truly take pleasure in them, while additionally being usable one-handed.
Britta O’Boyle / Foundry
I really like my iPhone 16 Professional Max (the cellphone I used earlier than the iPhone Air), however reaching the highest of its show will not be straightforward with out two palms.
With a decision of 2736 x 1260, the iPhone Air has the identical pixel density because the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Professional fashions – 460ppi. It additionally has the identical peak brightness of 3000 nits, which is the brightest show Apple has ever supplied on an iPhone.
That peak will solely kick in when completely essential, after all, but it surely’s greater than vibrant sufficient to be seen on a vibrant sunny day, reducing by means of the reflections. Colors are nice too, saturation is nice, and the overall viewing expertise is a delight.
The battery is healthier than you’d anticipate
With regards to battery life, I’ll be sincere, I anticipated it to be horrible on the iPhone Air.
When it was introduced, Apple claimed the Air would final 27 hours on a single cost, which is respectable, although decrease than the iPhone 17 that’s mentioned to final 30 hours, the iPhone 17 Professional’s 31-hour estimate that’s claimed to final 31 hours and the iPhone 17 Professional Max that’s claimed to offer you 37 hours. There’s additionally the choice of shopping for the iPhone Air MagSafe charger (an additional £99/$99)that may apparently offer you as much as 40 hours.
The battery life has undoubtedly exceeded my expectations
I’ve received nice information right here, although, as a result of having used the iPhone Air for the final week, I not solely haven’t needed to connect that MagSafe Charger but, however the battery life has undoubtedly exceeded my expectations.
I believe 27 hours can be a push, however I completed all days on over 25 p.c, regardless of sometimes commonly beginning my day at 6am and ending it at midnight. In my expertise, the iPhone Air will get me by means of a day and night, although if I used to be planning on a giant evening out, I’d prime it up in direction of the tip of the day simply to make sure.
Talking of topping it up, the iPhone Air helps quick charging, a minimum of by Apple’s requirements. This isn’t a OnePlus cellphone with 100W quick charging, however you’ll get 50 p.c battery in half-hour from a 20W adapter.
Britta O’Boyle / Foundry
Efficiency is really wonderful
My final motive in favour of the iPhone Air not being a vacuous slim cellphone is that it has the identical processor beneath its hood because the iPhone 17 Professional fashions. The A19 Professional runs the present, and efficiency is clean and lag-free with apps opening swiftly and duties operating with none points.
Sometimes, the highest of the iPhone Air will get slightly heat, however just for just a few seconds and no hotter than most telephones. For sustained efficiency, I might advocate the iPhone 17 Professional fashions as these now include a vapour chamber, which permits for higher warmth dissipation.
Britta O’Boyle / Foundry
Nonetheless, within the overwhelming majority of conditions, the iPhone Air delivers excellent efficiency that gained’t allow you to down.
Within the overwhelming majority of conditions, the iPhone Air delivers excellent efficiency that gained’t allow you to down
However think about this earlier than you hit purchase
Nearly as good because the iPhone Air is, you’ll want to make sure that it’s what you need from a cellphone.
With a beginning value of £999/$999, you might get the iPhone 17 Professional for simply £100/$100 further, accessing a superior rear digicam system within the course of – together with a devoted ultrawide lens and telephoto with 8x optical zoom.
Or, you might pay £200/$200 much less and purchase an iPhone 17, which gives higher worth for cash and nonetheless gives an additional digicam lens in comparison with the Air.
But when design is your prime precedence, the iPhone Air feels wonderful. It’s refreshingly light-weight, and I’m thrilled to say its battery life doesn’t suck. Don’t pay an excessive amount of consideration to the downgraded specs – they don’t inform the complete story.