The iPhone Air is Apple’s slimmest phone yet at just 5.6mm.
iPhone Air Review: Design and Build Quality
The biggest selling point of the iPhone Air is its design. At only 5.6mm thick, it feels incredibly light in hand while still looking premium thanks to its Ceramic Shield glass and titanium frame. It’s a device that stands out for minimalism and portability — perfect for those who want the thinnest iPhone possible.
What You Give Up Compared to iPhone 17 Pro
Going ultra-thin means some features don’t make the cut. Compared to the Pro models, the iPhone Air lacks:
- Shorter battery life (27 hours video playback vs 33 on iPhone 17 Pro)
- No telephoto zoom lens (Pro models offer 8× optical zoom)
- Single speaker instead of stereo sound
- Slower USB-C transfer speeds
- Lower charging speeds on both USB-C and MagSafe
- 5-core GPU (vs 6-core on the Pro)
What the iPhone Air Keeps
It’s not all cutbacks. The iPhone Air still shares several high-end specs with the Pro lineup, including:
- 120Hz ProMotion display
- A19 Pro chip with the same 6-core CPU
- Slim yet durable build with premium materials
iPhone Air Review: Battery Life Compared
Apple rates the iPhone Air for up to 27 hours of video playback, which is solid but behind the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Reviewers note mixed results depending on usage style:
The Verge described the battery as “acceptable but not outstanding,” pointing out that heavy use could drain it to under 20% before dinner. On lighter Wi-Fi days, however, it lasted comfortably through the night.
“It makes me a little nervous to see the battery hit the 20s by early evening, but with lighter Wi-Fi use, it held up fine. For a $1,000 phone, I’d call it just about passable.”
WIRED was more optimistic, praising the Air for lasting longer than expected. They reported around five hours of screen time with 18% left at bedtime, though heavy travelers will still need to recharge during the day.
“On a travel day with maps, calls, and Instagram, I was down to 2% by 4:30 pm. That shows its limits — but I wasn’t nearly as battery-anxious as with Samsung’s last ultra-thin phone.”
Camera and Photography Experience
The iPhone Air still takes excellent photos thanks to Apple’s advanced image processing and wide + ultra-wide lenses. However, the lack of a telephoto zoom camera limits versatility for those who enjoy long-range shots. For casual users, though, the image quality remains more than good enough.
Performance and Daily Use
Powered by the A19 Pro chip, the iPhone Air handles apps, games, and multitasking smoothly. The 120Hz ProMotion screen makes scrolling fluid, and everyday tasks feel fast and responsive. The difference from the Pro model’s 6-core GPU will only be noticeable to heavy gamers or professionals doing demanding workloads.
Who Should Buy the iPhone Air?
This iPhone Air Review makes one thing clear: the Air is designed for people who value thinness, lightness, and premium feel over all else. If you want the longest battery life, the best cameras, or pro-level performance, the iPhone 17 Pro lineup remains the better choice. But if portability and design are your top priorities, the iPhone Air is a stylish and capable option.
See also iPhone 17 Pro’s Cosmic Orange
iPhone 17 & iPhone Air Launched
