Introducing Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date, the iPhone Air. Introducing the iPhone Air, the company’s thinnest iPhone to date. Here are our initial thoughts after getting some hands-on experience with it on September 9 at the iPhone 17 series announcement event. Online responses to the much-anticipated Apple iPhone Air’s introduction have been conflicting. While some believe Apple can produce a high-quality product, others think it’s just hype. I had a brief opportunity to experience it at the launch, and this is what caught my attention.
Display & Design
The iPhone Air feels incredibly light in the hand, weighing only 165 grammes. The fact that Apple has managed to fit that much hardware inside what is billed as “the thinnest iPhone ever” (5.6 mm) is no small accomplishment. The phone’s casing is made of titanium, yet strangely, Apple used aluminium for its Pro models. The Air seems sturdy, but I personally like matte finishes over shining mirrors. Apple even showed off its ability to tolerate up to 60 kg of pressure at Apple Park, which is terrible news for people who like to bend iPhones.
Although the back is sleek, it isn’t slippery since it employs Ceramic Shield, one of Apple’s strongest glasses. Additionally, the front features an enhanced Ceramic Shield that is three times more resistant to scratches.
Apple decided to use a plateau housing design for the rear camera this year. They claim that it fits the latest A19 Pro chip and optimises battery space. It feels like the start of a new chapter in Apple design, even though it isn’t totally novel in the world of smartphones.
It makes sense in Apple’s eSIM-first world that there isn’t a SIM slot provided. They might have even omitted the USB-C port if quicker wireless charging had been available, but I’m pleased they didn’t. It has all the standard functionality, including volume keys, the Action button, and camera controls.
The slender frame complements the gorgeous 6.5-inch display. For such a tiny phone, it feels a little weighty at first, but users will adjust to it. It is easy to use outside thanks to its 3000 nits peak brightness and compatibility for a 120Hz ProMotion display, which is now standard on all variants. The display quality is pure Apple: the text is crisp, the colours are vibrant, and the contrast is expertly adjusted.
All things considered the iPhone Air feels like a welcome change. It feels sturdy, has a sophisticated appearance, and feels unexpectedly high-end in the hand.
UI and Performance
The iPhone Air appears to have no performance compromises. It is driven by the A19 Pro, Apple’s most sophisticated smartphone chip, which has a new architecture with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU.
As a result, it can easily handle AAA games and Apple’s generative AI models. It should feel silky smooth for daily work, even though most people won’t use it for gaming or media production on a daily basis.
Additionally, Apple has included its new N1 networking chip, which enhances the functionality of AirDrop, Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and hotspot. The improved C1X modem, which is 30% more power-efficient than the modem found in the iPhone 16 Pro, is twice as fast as the C1 modem found in the iPhone SE. Stronger performance without battery drain is the result of this.
Although it is still in its infancy, Apple Intelligence (AI) is supported by the iPhone Air, which runs iOS 26. Future software upgrades and Apple’s advancements in AI will largely determine how big of a benefit people receive.
The camera
With its 48MP single-lens Fusion camera, the iPhone Air borrows several features from the iPhone SE. Numerous focal lengths up to 35mm are supported, and it even provides optically good 2X photos, which are excellent for portraiture.
The Air features the first square sensor in the world in its 18MP Centre Stage camera on the front. This enables users to take 16:9 pictures and videos and expands their fields of view. The ease with which more people can fit into the frame will be appreciated by content creators and selfie enthusiasts.
The camera automatically recognises when more people are in the picture and alternates between vertical and horizontal resolutions because of artificial intelligence. Additionally, Apple has enhanced front camera stabilisation, allowing for 4K shooting for more detailed images.
The Air’s camera already feels like a flexible single-lens shooter, but a thorough examination will provide more details.
A battery
Battery life may be one of the drawbacks of a phone this tiny, of course. Thanks to enhanced battery technology, in-house modems, and adaptive power mode that recognises your usage patterns, Apple claims all-day usage even with the thin shape.
Additionally, Apple unveiled the Air’s new 4000mAh MagSafe battery pack, which promises to play videos for up to 40 hours. To find out how well this stands up in practice, more testing will be required.
Initial Thoughts
What, therefore, distinguishes the iPhone Air in a crowded market?
It’s a fashion statement because it’s the thinnest iPhone ever.
With the A19 Pro chip, it provides flagship-level performance.
It features an improved camera technology and new design options.
But with a starting price of ₹1,19,900, many consumers would choose the Pro model, which costs a little more but has a superior camera system and a stronger battery.
It all boils down to your personal preferences and if owning Apple’s slimmest iPhone to yet is worth the compromises.