iPhone Air Review: Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Redefines Design

Apple has gone back to its roots with the iPhone Air^[1], a device that takes inspiration from the original MacBook Air^[2] while carving its own identity. As the company’s thinnest smartphone to date, the Air manages to balance nostalgia with forward-looking design. But the question is whether the compromises made for that slim profile are worth the trade-off.

Display

The iPhone Air hits a sweet spot in size with a 6.5-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel. It feels comfortably positioned between the 6.3-inch iPhone 17^[3] and 17 Pro^[4] and the 6.9-inch 17 Pro Max^[5]. ProMotion technology is here as well, offering a variable refresh rate between 1 Hz and 120 Hz. While Apple has yet to reveal the peak brightness numbers in everyday use, the display retains the same punch and fluidity you’d expect from its Pro siblings.

Design and Build

At first glance, the iPhone Air makes an impression. Sitting atop the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the difference in thickness is just 3.2 mm, yet in person, it feels far more dramatic. That illusion vanishes once you factor in the camera plateau, which extends the total thickness to 11.3 mm. Still, Apple deserves credit for fitting most of the Air’s core components inside this raised module.

Weighing only 165 grams, the Air feels light and balanced in the hand. Apple used titanium for the frame, making it the only new iPhone with the premium material once reserved for Pro models. The shiny finish recalls the stainless-steel era of the iPhone 12 Pro^[6] through iPhone 14 Pro^[7], giving it a distinct but familiar character. The Sky Blue finish on our unit, however, leans more toward white under certain lighting, leaving it a bit underwhelming.

Performance and Hardware

Despite its thinner frame, Apple has equipped the Air with the A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM, the same pairing seen in the iPhone 17 Pro models. That said, this is a slightly less capable version of the chipset. Without a dedicated vapor chamber, heat management could be a challenge during extended gaming or demanding tasks. Even so, the Air should hold its own for day-to-day performance, and testing under stress will reveal how well Apple balanced power with size.

Cameras

Here is where the air feels more limited. Apple opted for a single 48MP camera, which the company claims can simulate the effect of four lenses. While that’s ambitious, the absence of a dedicated ultrawide or telephoto option will be noticeable for many users. Low-light performance remains promising, but the Air is unlikely to compete with the full versatility of the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. The dedicated Camera and Action buttons do add convenience, though they can’t entirely compensate for the reduced hardware.

Battery and Charging

Apple promises “all-day battery life” for the iPhone Air, though the real measure will come in long-term usage. With such a thin profile and no vapor chamber for thermal balance, battery efficiency will need to prove itself. Early impressions suggest Apple has optimized software and chip performance to keep the phone running efficiently, but real-world tests will show how close it comes to matching the Pro models. Charging remains standard with a braided USB-C cable included in the box, and no charger is provided.

iPhone Air Price Across Key Markets

Conclusion

The iPhone Air is Apple’s boldest design move in years, delivering a phone that feels shockingly light and incredibly thin. It borrows from the Pro models in performance but sacrifices some camera versatility and battery confidence in the process. For those who value design, portability, and the nostalgia of Apple’s Air branding, this is a compelling device. But anyone looking for the most complete iPhone experience may still lean toward the 17 Pro series.