Apple iPhone Air Review: The Least Sensible iPhone Ever

Worth When Reviewed

$999 (256GB) | $1,199 (512GB) | $1,399 (1TB)

Greatest Costs In the present day: Apple iPhone Air (2025)

$999

The iPhone Air is the most important factor to occur to Apple’s smartphones for the reason that iPhone X made its debut eight years in the past. 

It’s a reimagining of what an iPhone can appear to be, ditching the tried-and-tested design for one thing way more daring. 

The ultra-slim chassis is a formidable feat of engineering, however it has some very actual penalties elsewhere. Regardless of the £999/$999 price ticket, the iPhone Air has vital downgrades in comparison with even the bottom iPhone 17. 

Is it value it in change for a possible slice of the longer term? I spent per week utilizing the iPhone Air as my primary cellphone to search out out. 

Design & Construct

• Extremely-slim 5.6mm design
• Sturdy, titanium construct
• IP68 water and dirt resistance

The iPhone Air is a cellphone I by no means anticipated Apple to make.  

Certain, there are slimline Air-branded variations of its iPad and MacBook, however a smartphone is a unique kettle of fish. Not solely is it restricted by the peak of a USB-C port, however it additionally requires a lot of totally different elements to be housed inside a really small area. 

However I’m grateful for Apple’s ambition, and from a design perspective, the iPhone Air has undoubtedly paid off. 

The iPhone Air is a beautiful system to carry, with a thickness of simply 5.6mm (0.2mm thinner than Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge) and a weight of 165g giving it a barely-there really feel in your hand. Alongside a tiny bezel across the fringe of the display, the immersive really feel of utilizing it’s unmatched by any cellphone I’ve ever tried. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

There are rumours that the iPhone Air’s design could possibly be the blueprint for the upcoming foldable iPhone, which is slated to launch in 2026. If Apple caught two of those collectively and obtained the hinge proper, I’d be very completely satisfied certainly. 

Even and not using a folding mechanism, one in every of my huge issues was sturdiness. Judging by the images, it virtually appears to be like like you would snap the iPhone Air in half in the event you tried arduous sufficient. 

Apparently, Apple has shifted again to aluminium frames on the iPhone 17 vary, however retained titanium right here. I’m very glad it did – titanium is each lighter and stronger than aluminium, which makes it good for the Air. 

And I needn’t have nervous about sturdiness. Apple’s engineers have clearly made this a high precedence, as a result of it doesn’t really feel flimsy in any respect. I briefly tried bending it, and there was no flex, not to mention any indicators of harm. YouTuber JerryRigEverything’s testing was rather more excessive, and it fared very effectively there, too. 

If it had been every other cellphone, I’d recommend utilizing a case. Apple’s official one, which it despatched to me alongside the system, is about as slimline because it will get, however it undoubtedly detracts from the gorgeous design. I’d be tempted to danger it and go case-free. 

Fortuitously, grip isn’t a difficulty. I used to be ready to make use of the iPhone Air with out worrying about it falling out of my pocket or off a desk, which is a typical concern for glass-backed telephones.  

The matt coating on the rear additionally does a superb job of resisting fingerprint smudges on the House Black mannequin I examined, though it’s additionally out there in rather more attention-grabbing Cloud White, Mild Gold and Sky Blue variants, in the event you’d choose. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Like all of the 2025 iPhones, the Air boasts an IP68 ranking. Apple’s claims transcend the standard for water resistance, stating that it could survive submersion in as much as six metres of water for as much as half-hour. It’s additionally absolutely dust-proof. 

Elsewhere, the iPhone Air’s haptic suggestions is a few of the greatest within the enterprise. I’m not normally a fan of vibrations whereas typing, charging and utilizing bodily buttons, however it actually impressed me. The delicate jolt when enabling Silent mode through the Motion Button is a private favorite. 

The latter is one in every of 5 bodily buttons across the aspect of the system. Alongside energy and quantity controls, it’s additionally joined by the Digicam Management button. I discover it to be a helpful shortcut to the digital camera app and a pleasant bodily shutter button, however it’s barely awkwardly positioned and too fiddly to supply intuitive controls. 

Display & Audio system

• 6.5-inch OLED panel
• Adaptive 1-120Hz refresh fee
• Mono earpiece speaker

The iPhone Air’s show is my favorite factor about it. The mixture of excellent high quality and that immersive design I discussed earlier delivers a viewing expertise that few handsets can match. 

It’s a 6.5-inch panel that stretches virtually all the way in which to the sides of the cellphone, with its 1260 x 2736 decision that means it matches all of the iPhone 17 fashions for pixel density (460ppi). 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Apple has absolutely embraced OLED on its iPhone flagships lately, and I’m glad it has. The wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks are significantly obvious right here, making it a perfect system for watching YouTube or TV reveals. I wouldn’t normally suggest watching films on a cellphone, however the high quality of the visuals right here gained’t allow you to down. 

In the meantime, the 120Hz refresh fee works in tandem with LTPO know-how, guaranteeing it could mechanically drop as little as 1Hz to save lots of battery life when not required. The latter is ideal for the All the time-On show, which lets you see important info whereas the display is off, although it’s one thing I choose to maintain switched off. 

The iPhone Air can be wonderful with regards to visibility. A formidable peak brightness of 3000 nits makes it straightforward to make use of in principally any out of doors setting, with the Ceramic Protect 2 entrance cowl together with an efficient anti-reflective coating. Indoors, the …. nits determine I recorded is among the many highest on any cellphone. 

I genuinely can’t consider something the iPhone Air’s display isn’t good at, which is uncommon for a cellphone show. 

This may come as no shock in the event you’re aware of the iPhone, however there’s no fingerprint sensor of any description. As an alternative, the iPhone Air depends on the pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout on the high of the display, which homes the Face ID sensors. 

Some Android telephones, together with the Pixel 10 collection, supply a 3D face unlock that’s safe sufficient for use to authenticate funds and log into banking apps. However for a seamless expertise in virtually any state of affairs, I nonetheless choose Face ID. 

Sadly, area constraints imply the iPhone Air’s audio system have been compromised. With no speaker on the backside, it’s completely reliant on the earpiece for audio, and high quality suffers consequently.  

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

In comparison with most cellphone audio system, music sounds a bit washed out, with the sound missing any bass or vital depth. Whereas completely clear at decrease volumes, making it well-suited to cellphone calls and podcasts, it could get distorted as you make it louder. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Apple A19 Professional chipset
• Sturdy efficiency, together with whereas gaming
• eSIM-only

The iPhone Air is perhaps compromised in some areas, however efficiency isn’t one in every of them. 

It’s geared up with the identical A19 Professional chipset that’s discovered within the iPhone 17 Professional fashions. This 3nm chip is probably the most highly effective that Apple has ever made, and similar to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 on the Android aspect. 

Alongside 12GB of RAM throughout all fashions, efficiency is completely excellent. The iPhone Air is constantly quick and ultra-responsive, dealing with common on a regular basis use with out breaking a sweat. 

My typical day whereas testing included a lot of internet looking, messaging and emails, plus some social media, map navigation and pictures. None of this was a match for the iPhone Air’s energy, even when utilizing a number of apps concurrently and shortly switching between them. It’s additionally one of many few telephones I’ve examined the place I’ve by no means skilled a single app crash or freeze of any description. 

I used to be involved that the cellphone’s slim design would possibly have an effect on extra demanding workloads, however I needn’t have nervous. 

In contrast to the Galaxy S25 Edge, which I examined earlier this yr, the iPhone Air avoids any vital build-up of warmth whereas taking part in demanding video games reminiscent of Asphalt Legends, Genshin Impression and EA Sports activities FC. The again of the cellphone will get slightly heat throughout longer periods, however that’s about it. 

And crucially, there’s no noticeable slowdown or dropped frames. The iPhone Air is pretty much as good for gaming as principally every other iPhone or Android flagship, which is spectacular. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

When it comes to connectivity, it’s essential to notice that the iPhone has no bodily SIM card slot, so that you’ll have to make use of eSIM. Whereas the iPhone has been eSIM-only within the US since 2022, that is the primary time Apple has launched a mannequin like this internationally. 

That makes the method of switching to the iPhone Air and retaining your quantity rather more sophisticated than simply popping your SIM card in, though it’s nonetheless very a lot doable. If it’s a problem you’d actually somewhat do with out, all different iPhone 17 fashions assist bodily SIM playing cards outdoors the US. 

The iPhone has by no means supported expandable storage, so the elimination of a SIM tray doesn’t have an effect on that. In the event you assume the entry-level 256GB gained’t be sufficient, there are additionally choices for 512GB and 1TB. 

Apple iPhone Air benchmarks

Cameras

• Single 48Mp rear digital camera
• 18Mp selfie digital camera
• Centre Stage and Twin Seize options

The iPhone Air’s digital camera system is an actual blended bag, and it’s more likely to be a dealbreaker for many individuals – myself included. 

On one hand, the cellphone has the identical 48Mp, f/1.6 primary sensor because the common iPhone 17, which itself is simply a small downgrade from the 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max.  

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

It’s an excellent lens, delivering excellent element and impressively correct colors. I actually take pleasure in how true-to-life pictures from the iPhone Air are, even when they could require some enhancing later. 

In good lighting situations, dynamic vary is superb, whereas it handles shadows higher than any cellphone I’ve tried. Nonetheless, publicity will be a difficulty at instances, with the cellphone typically compensating for a darker scene by blowing out the skies. 

The iPhone Air additionally takes attractive portrait images, combining crystal-clear topics with a delicate bokeh impact that does a superb job of edge detection. The result’s an impressively professional-looking picture, and you’ll simply modify the extent of background blur after the photograph has been taken.

The primary lens additionally performs effectively in low-light situations. Night time mode, which is mechanically enabled by default, boosts brightness and removes noise, turning a mean photograph into an excellent one. 

I’ve discovered the rear digital camera to be equally adept at taking images of individuals, structure and landscapes. I solely want it had assist from different lenses on the again. 

I don’t care how slim it’s – to have just one lens on the again of a £999/$999 cellphone in 2025 is inexcusable. Inevitably, the digital camera system is way much less versatile consequently. 

Wish to seize extra within the body? Relatively than simply tapping the 0.5x button to change to the ultrawide, you’ll must hope you’ll be able to stand additional again, which frequently isn’t doable. 

And don’t let Apple’s claims of a 2x ‘optical zoom’ idiot you. It merely crops in on the picture from the primary lens, sacrificing some key particulars within the course of. High quality is on a fast downward spiral past that, and it speaks volumes you could’t transcend 10x. 

In the event you care about zoom pictures, my message is evident: don’t purchase the iPhone Air. 

Nonetheless, the front-facing lens is one other success story. The 18Mp, f/1.9 sensor is similar on the iPhone 17 fashions, and it is perhaps the very best selfie digital camera on any cellphone. 

In the event you care about zoom pictures, my message is evident: don’t purchase the iPhone Air

Why? It’s not simply the truth that it takes nice selfies in virtually any setting, though the correct pores and skin tones and excellent degree of element are crucial.  

The iPhone Air additionally options Apple’s Centre Stage tech, which takes loads of the effort out of getting a superb selfie. It makes use of the mixture of a sq. sensor and AI to mechanically modify the zoom and orientation to get everybody in body. It’s not fairly instantaneous, however it’s a straightforward solution to considerably enhance the standard of your selfies. 

See extra digital camera samples within the gallery beneath:

Elsewhere, iPhone Air follows within the footsteps of current iPhones by delivering wonderful video high quality. Footage from each the entrance and rear lenses reveals no noticeable decline in color accuracy or element, whereas OIS (optical picture stabilisation) ensures all the pieces stays impressively clean. 

You’ll be able to seize from each lenses concurrently through the Twin Seize characteristic, although this feels greatest suited to content material creators or anybody who frequently uploads to social media. 

Software program & AI

• iOS 26 out of the field
• Lengthy and immediate software program updates

The iPhone Air runs iOS 26 out of the field, that means you get entry to the brand new Liquid Glass aesthetic.  

It’s a transparent shift in the way in which Apple desires its UI to feel and look, with varied parts that fade into the background however then reply expressively if you work together with them. The corporate claims it even behaves as glass would in the true world, however that looks like a little bit of a stretch.  

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

General, I’ve loved my interactions with Liquid Glass. It’s a delicate shift, however one which helps the iPhone Air really feel much less like an inanimate piece of know-how and extra a part of the pure world (despite the fact that it isn’t, in fact). 

The impact is magnified if you discover a third-party app that’s embraced Liquid Glass, although this could border on annoying when once-familiar menus look virtually unrecognisable. I like Liquid Glass on inventory apps, however that’s sufficient. 

Elsewhere, iOS 26 continues to embrace customisation, permitting you to manage all the pieces from the app icons and widgets to system-wide themes and even lock display images that come to life.

The model of iOS you see as we speak is sort of unrecognisable in comparison with a decade in the past, and all the higher for it. As somebody who makes use of Android more often than not, I assumed I’d wrestle much more than I’ve, although there’s a clear adjustment interval. 

One space by which the iPhone nonetheless struggles is AI. The Apple Intelligence suite merely isn’t as efficient or as in depth as Google and Samsung’s choices, regardless of having a lot in frequent. 

It’s additionally badly hamstrung by Siri’s continued shortcomings, which solely emphasised to me simply how good Gemini is. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

In the event you don’t actually care about AI, iOS 26 is an completed and intuitive working system that gives extra methods to make it your personal than ever earlier than.  

It’s additionally effectively served by software program updates. Apple releases a significant new model of iOS to all suitable gadgets on the similar time, with assist usually lasting for round 5 – 6 years. That’s barely lower than the very best of Android, however you’ll in all probability be switching your cellphone sooner anyway. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 3149mAh battery (unconfirmed)
• 20W wired charging
• 20W wi-fi MagSafe (Qi2) charging

Alongside the cameras, the iPhone Air’s battery represented my largest concern. 

Apple doesn’t reveal particular battery capacities, merely providing claims of as much as 27 hours of video playback. That’s not a giant downgrade in comparison with the 30 hours it suggests you will get from the common iPhone 17, although my expertise with the Galaxy S25 Edge had made me cautious. 

Nonetheless, it’s been a nice shock. Battery life isn’t a key power of the iPhone Air, however it isn’t a weak point both. With reasonable use – round three hours of screen-on time – a single cost will comfortably get you to the top of the day. In the event you work at home, as I do, you’re nearer to 2 days. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

The same old PCMark battery check that we run on Android telephones isn’t out there on the iPhone, that means that I can’t supply direct comparisons. However until you propose on taking part in demanding video games or continuously utilizing location companies, cell information and excessive brightness, you don’t have to fret about battery life on the iPhone Air. I by no means imagined I’d be saying that, so Apple deserves credit score right here. 

An space I gained’t be giving it reward is charging speeds. The iPhone Air can solely hit paltry 20W wired speeds, and also you’ll want a suitable charger to benefit from even that – the next wattage doesn’t assure it. 

Apple says you’ll be able to rise up to 50% cost in half-hour, which is sort of equivalent to my testing. Utilizing a 67W charger, the cellphone went from empty to 27% in quarter-hour, hitting 51% by the half-hour mark. 

You would possibly as effectively use Qi2 MagSafe charging as an alternative, as it could attain the identical 20W speeds. Alongside conventional charging infrastructure, there’s a variety of various first- and third-party equipment that benefit from the built-in magnets on the again of the cellphone. They’re effectively value exploring. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Worth & Availability

At launch, the iPhone Air begins at £999/$999. That will get you 256GB of storage, however you’ll be able to step as much as 512GB or 1TB fashions for £1,199/$1,199 and £1,399/$1,399 respectively.

Within the UK, it’s out there immediately from Apple or through retailers together with Amazon. Within the US, you’ll be able to head to Apple or Greatest Purchase, whereas loads of networks are promoting the cellphone on contract in each nations.

The outright worth makes it £100/$100 cheaper than its ultra-slim rival within the Galaxy S25 Edge. In the event you don’t thoughts a thicker cellphone, the Pixel 10 Professional can be £999/$999, whereas the common iPhone 17 is a tempting various that prices £200/$200 much less.

See extra nice choices in our information to the very best telephones you should buy.

Must you purchase the iPhone Air?

In all probability not. I actually loved utilizing it, however the iPhone Air isn’t a sensible cellphone for most individuals to purchase and use as their major handset.

As attractive because the iPhone Air’s ultra-slim design is, an excessive amount of has been sacrificed to attain it. 

The digital camera system is restricted, the audio system are underwhelming, and battery life is worse than any of the iPhone 17 fashions, regardless of being higher than anticipated. 

When you’ll be able to pay £200/$200 much less and get vital enhancements in all three of these areas, the iPhone Air turns into arduous to justify. It presents a stunning show and sensible efficiency, however that’s simply not sufficient to make it a helpful each day driver for most individuals. 

Specs

• Colors: House Black, Cloud White, Mild Gold, Sky Blue
• Working system: iOS 26
• Show: 6.5-inch Tremendous Retina XDR 1-120Hz OLED
• Chipset: A19 Professional
• Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
• Rear digital camera: 48Mp f/1.6 primary digital camera
• Entrance digital camera: 18Mp f/1.9 Centre Stage digital camera
• Charging: USB-C quick PD 2.0 20Wcharging, 20W wi-fi MagSafe charging, 20W wi-fi Qi 2 charging, 4.5W reverse wired
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 5G NFC, eSIM-only
• Water and dirt resistance: IP68
• Dimensions: 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm
• Weight: 165g