When Apple announced an ultra-thin flagship at its “Awe Dropping” September event, I was skeptical about how much of a difference a thinner chassis could actually make in the phone’s in-hand feel. Little did I know that I was in for a big surprise. I’ve owned and used an iPhone for almost four years now, and I’ve never been more impressed (and worried) by how it feels. In this article, I’ve talked about the iPhone Air’s design, how it feels in the hand, and what could possibly go wrong with such as thin form factor.
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Pixel-Like Camera Visor, iPhone-Like Design
I’ll admit that the horizontal camera visor at the top of the iPhone Air’s back panel immediately reminds me of the Pixel phones, but it feels more subtle on the Air. The fact that Apple has managed to keep the handset’s thickness at 5.64 mm while providing a battery life that exceeds the baseline iPhone 16 is commendable.
I’ve captured the iPhone Air in its Light Gold and Sky Blue finishes. The other two finishes are Cloud White and Space Black. The matte-finish back panel gives them a premium feel, and so does the cold titanium frame. It doesn’t provide the most secure grip on a phone (perhaps due to its thickness), though, or it might take some getting used to. And yes, Apple has retained the Camera Control button on the right frame, which barely fits on the frame.
The camera visor houses a single-camera sensor on the far left (which may be a letdown for some buyers), but hey, you’re not getting the iPhone Air for a versatile camera setup; you’re simply getting it for its appearance and feel. The weight balance is done well, where the 165 grams don’t feel too concentrated in either half of the phone.
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Yes, the 6.5-inch screen makes it slightly difficult to reach the top end with your thumb, but holding the phone with both hands, given its light weight, isn’t particularly tiring (especially since phones this size are usually heavier). The bezels on the screen are equally thin on all sides, which is something you reasonably expect at this price.
What’s worth mentioning is that the iPhone Air has a slightly higher screen-to-body ratio than the iPhone 17 Pro, but less than that of the regular iPhone 17. However, the pixel density remains the same, and so does the screen’s peak brightness.
And yes, how could I forget the ProMotion display? It makes the Air’s display super smooth and fluid (much like what Android flagships have been for years). The phone also retains the Dynamic Island on the front.
Slide the iPhone Air in your pocket, and you might not notice it is there, thanks to its lightweight and slim chassis. However, I strongly advise you not to carry it around in your back pocket, because, you know, you might end up cracking the Ceramic Shield back glass, or worse, bending the phone. That doesn’t mean the iPhone Air’s chassis is weak; it’s just a word of caution for users who’re accustomed to carrying their phones in their back pocket.
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Apple has specially designed a transparent case for the iPhone Air (with a frosty finish), which is just 0.9mm thin to preserve the overall look and feel, and it retails for Rs. 4,900. It supports MagSafe charging and comes in two colors: Shadow and Frost.
My Thoughts
I get it, Apple, I get it. The iPhone Air surely isn’t for power users, those who want camera versatility, or exceptional battery life, but I can see it as a solid secondary phone contender for those who already have an iPhone Pro or iPhone Pro Max, or those who have an Android foldable or flagship and wish to keep a secondary iPhone. All I would like to say is that the hype is real, and the iPhone Air surely delivers on Apple’s claims about its design.
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