Tested: The ultra-slim iPhone Air is the least sensible iPhone ever

Price at Review Time

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

Today’s Best Prices: Apple iPhone Air (2025)

The iPhone Air is a significant development in Apple’s smartphone lineup, marking a notable shift since the iPhone X was released eight years ago.

This model redefines the design paradigm of an iPhone, moving away from traditional aesthetics to a more avant-garde approach.

Although the ultra-slim design is impressive, it introduces some drawbacks. Priced at $999, the iPhone Air shows noticeable compromises when compared to even the basic iPhone 17.

Is it worth it for a glimpse into the future? I spent a week using the iPhone Air as my primary device to find out.

Design & Build Quality

• Ultra-thin 5.6mm profile
• Robust titanium construction
• IP68 rated for water and dust resistance

The iPhone Air is an unexpected addition to Apple’s lineup.

While the company has released slim versions of its iPad and MacBook, crafting a smartphone entails a unique set of challenges due to the compactness required for its components.

I’m grateful for Apple’s daring vision, evident in the design of the iPhone Air, which distinctly stands out.

This phone feels luxurious in hand, measuring just 5.6mm thick (0.2mm less than Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge) and weighing merely 165g, providing an unparalleled feel that transcends any other phone I’ve tested.

Rumors suggest the design of the iPhone Air could inform Apple’s forthcoming foldable iPhone, set for release in 2026. If Apple can refine the hinge mechanism, I’d be thrilled.

Despite concerns over durability, the construction seems resilient. The titanium used is lighter and stronger than aluminum, which enhances the Air’s sturdiness.

Testing its flexibility didn’t yield any give or damage, and JerryRigEverything’s extreme testing confirmed my impressions of its durability.

From a design perspective, the iPhone Air has undoubtedly paid off

While most devices would benefit from a protective case, the official Apple case is exceedingly slim, which may diminish the aesthetic appeal. I found myself tempted to opt for a case-free experience.

Luckily, grip isn’t a concern. I used the iPhone Air without fearing it would slip from my hand or table, which often happens with glass-backed phones.

The matte finish on the back of the Space Black model I reviewed effectively resists fingerprints. It is also available in more vibrant colors such as Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue.

All 2025 iPhones, including the Air, sport an IP68 rating. Apple claims it can endure immersion in water up to six meters deep for 30 minutes, alongside being dust-proof.

Meanwhile, the device excels in haptic feedback quality, which I usually find excessive but was pleasantly surprised by. The slight vibration for activating Silent mode via the Action Button is especially appealing.

This button joins four other physical controls: power, volume, and a Camera Control button. Though handy as a shortcut to the camera app, its placement feels a touch awkward and lacks intuitive control.

Display & Sound

• 6.5-inch OLED screen
• Adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate
• Mono earpiece speaker

The display is my favorite aspect of the iPhone Air. The combination of exquisite quality and immersive experience delivers a viewing pleasure few handsets can contend with.

Its 6.5-inch display nearly extends to the phone’s edges, boasting a resolution of 1260 x 2736, matching all iPhone 17 models in pixel density (460ppi).

Apple fully embraced OLED for its iPhone flagships in recent years, and the Air does not disappoint. The color fidelity and deep blacks are apparent, making it an excellent device for media consumption. Usually, I wouldn’t recommend watching movies on a phone, but the visual quality here is remarkable.

The 120Hz refresh rate integrates with LTPO technology, enabling it to drop as low as 1Hz to conserve battery when not essential. This feature is perfect for the Always-On display, which shows key information with the screen off; although, I prefer to deactivate it.

The iPhone Air’s visibility is admirable, with a peak brightness level of 3000 nits, easily meeting most outdoor lighting conditions. Indoors, the captured brightness is near the highest for smartphones.

I genuinely cannot think of any weaknesses with the iPhone Air’s display, a rarity in smartphones.

I genuinely can’t think of anything the iPhone Air’s screen isn’t good at, which is rare for a phone display

As with other iPhones, there is no fingerprint sensor; instead, Face ID is housed within the pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the screen.

Some Android alternatives offer 3D facial unlocking suited for secure transactions, but I still favor the experience Face ID provides in almost any situation.

However, due to space limitations, the iPhone Air’s audio system suffers. With no bottom speaker, it relies solely on the earpiece, compromising sound quality.

Compared to most smartphones, the audio lacks depth and is somewhat muted, with clarity at lower volumes but distortion at higher levels.

Specifications & Performance

• Apple A19 Pro chip
• Impressive performance, even during gaming
• eSIM-only design

Although the iPhone Air has its limitations, performance isn’t one of them.

The device is powered by the A19 Pro chipset found in the iPhone 17 Pro models. This 3nm chip ranks among the most powerful available, comparable to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

With 12GB of RAM across all configurations, performance is exceptionally smooth. The iPhone Air handles typical everyday tasks with ease.

My testing included heavy internet use, messaging, social media, navigation, and photography. Not once did the iPhone Air falter under pressure, even with multiple apps running and switching rapidly between them. I haven’t encountered a single app crash during the testing process.

The iPhone Air performs on par with any other flagship Android or iPhone, which is commendable

Worries about overheating due to its streamlined design dissipated quickly.

In contrast to the Galaxy S25 Edge I used earlier this year, the iPhone Air does not exhibit substantial heat during demanding gameplay like Asphalt Legends or Genshin Impact. The back of the device heats slightly with extended usage, but that’s the extent of it.

Crucially, gameplay remains stable without lag or frame dropping, equating the iPhone Air with other high-end devices.

On connectivity, it’s noteworthy that the iPhone Air does not include physical SIM support; eSIM is the only option. While Apple adopted eSIM in the U.S. since 2022, this is the first international model to do so.

This complicates switching to the iPhone Air and maintaining your number, though it remains feasible. However, each iPhone 17 model outside the U.S. supports physical SIMs.

Apple devices do not include expandable storage, so the absence of a SIM tray doesn’t impact that. Users can select from 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage options.

Apple iPhone Air Benchmark Results

Camera System

• 48MP rear camera
• 18MP front camera
• Centre Stage and Dual Capture functionalities

The iPhone Air’s camera performance is mixed, which could deter many potential buyers, including myself.

While it boasts a 48MP f/1.6 main sensor—similar to the standard iPhone 17—the camera may not live up to expectations.

It performs exceptionally well, offering intricate details and natural color reproduction. I appreciate the vivid realism of images, even if some require post-editing.

During bright conditions, it handles dynamic range adeptly, managing shadows far better than competing smartphones. However, exposure inconsistencies sometimes lead to overexposed skies in darker scenes.

Portrait photography is another strong suit, producing sharp subjects with a delicate background blur that showcases effective edge detection, resulting in photos that appear professional. The background blur can be adjusted post-capture.

The main sensor shines even in low-light scenarios. The automatic Night mode captures greater brightness and clarity, transforming average shots into impressive ones.

I find the rear camera suitable for various subjects, including portraits and landscapes. However, I wish it had additional lenses for enhanced versatility.

Given its flagship status with a price tag of £999/$999, having only one rear lens is unjustifiable. The system’s versatility inherently suffers.

To capture a broader frame, rather than simply switching to an ultra-wide lens, one must step back—which isn’t always possible.

Be aware that Apple’s claims of a 2x ‘optical zoom’ merely crop into the main lens image, which results in the loss of detail. Beyond 10x, quality quickly deteriorates.

If you prioritize zoom capabilities, my advice is straightforward: avoid the iPhone Air.

On a positive note, the front camera is commendable. The 18MP f/1.9 sensor is present in the iPhone 17 range and is arguably the finest selfie camera on any smartphone.

If you care about zoom photography, my message is clear: do not buy the iPhone Air

It excels not only at producing excellent selfies in various conditions but also offers precise color tones and exceptional detail levels.

Apple’s Centre Stage technology simplifies capturing group selfies, adjusting framing automatically for optimal group shots. While the adjustment isn’t instantaneous, it significantly enhances the quality of selfies.

Explore more camera samples in the gallery below:

The iPhone Air also continues the trend of delivering outstanding video quality. Both front and rear footage demonstrate consistent color fidelity and detail, while optical image stabilization (OIS) ensures smooth recordings.

You can use both cameras simultaneously via Dual Capture, appealing mainly to content creators and social media enthusiasts.

Software & AI Integration

• Operates on iOS 26
• Regular and timely software updates

iOS 26 powers the iPhone Air, featuring the new Liquid Glass aesthetic.

This update signifies Apple’s desire to transform user interface design, characterized by elements that fade into the background yet respond dynamically to user interactions. While the concept resembles glass, such claims may be overstated.

Overall, my interactions with Liquid Glass have been pleasant. The shift, while subtle, does help immerse the iPhone Air into digital life.

However, this effect can become frustrating when encountered in third-party applications that adopt Liquid Glass, which can lead to confusion on familiar menus. I appreciate Liquid Glass in Apple’s native apps, though that suffices.

iOS 26 leans heavily into customization, giving users control over app icons, widgets, system-wide themes, and even dynamic lock screen images.

If you don’t really care about AI, iOS 26 is an accomplished and intuitive operating system

Reflecting on the evolution of iOS, the current iteration is considerably advanced compared to what was available a decade ago. Transitioning from Android wasn’t as challenging as I predicted, though an adjustment period is necessary.

However, Apple’s AI capabilities lag significantly behind those of Google and Samsung, resulting in a less robust experience.

Concerns remain over Siri’s limitations, which highlight the superiority of alternatives like Gemini.

If AI isn’t your area of interest, iOS 26 offers a highly proficient operating system with unprecedented customization options.

Apple’s commitment to software updates is commendable; major iOS versions are made available to compatible devices simultaneously, with a support timeline typically around five to six years. While this might be slightly shorter than some top Android manufacturers, most users will likely upgrade their phones sooner.

Power & Charging

• Estimated 3149mAh battery
• 20W wired charging capability
• 20W wireless MagSafe (Qi2) charging

The iPhone Air’s battery performance was a primary concern for me.

Apple refrains from disclosing battery capacities—for context, they claim a maximum of 27 hours of video playback. This is only a slight downgrade from the 30 hours projected for the iPhone 17, although the Galaxy S25 Edge left me cautious.

To my relief, battery life proved better than expected. While not a category leader, it’s satisfactory. With moderate use—about three hours of screen time—the battery will last through the day, while working from home yields nearly two days.

Direct comparisons to Android devices through PCMark’s battery test aren’t feasible for the iPhone, so exact figures are unavailable. However, casual tasks, like gaming or using GPS services, won’t strain the battery significantly.

I never anticipated I’d make such a statement, so Apple has earned commendation.

Conversely, charging speeds are disappointing. The iPhone Air maxes out at 20W wired speeds, requiring a compatible charger for effective use.

Battery life isn’t a strong point for the iPhone Air, but it’s certainly not a weakness

Apple estimates a 50% charge within 30 minutes, which aligns with my observations. Using a 67W charger, the phone charged from empty to 27% in just 15 minutes, reaching 51% at the half-hour mark.

Opting for Qi2 MagSafe charging is also viable, achieving similar 20W speeds. The integrated magnets on the back of the phone make it compatible with a variety of first- and third-party accessories worth exploring.

Pricing & Purchase Options

The iPhone Air starts at £999/$999 at launch, which grants you 256GB of storage. Upgrades to 512GB and 1TB are priced at £1,199/$1,199 and £1,399/$1,399, respectively.

In the UK, it’s available through Apple and retailers like Amazon. In the US, you can find it at Apple or Best Buy, along with various networks offering it on contract.

This price point places the Air £100/$100 lower than the sleek Galaxy S25 Edge. If a thicker phone is acceptable, the Pixel 10 Pro is also priced at £999/$999, while the standard iPhone 17 is an enticing alternative at £200/$200 less.

Check out more excellent choices in our best smartphones guide.

Should You Consider the iPhone Air?

In summary, probably not. Although I genuinely enjoyed using it, the iPhone Air isn’t practical as a primary device for most consumers.

While the ultra-slim aesthetic is appealing, extensive sacrifices were made to achieve it.

The limitations of the camera, mediocre speakers, and battery life—despite being better than anticipated—make it hard to recommend when the iPhone 17 offers considerable advantages for £200/$200 less.

The stunning display and remarkable performance are commendable, yet insufficient for making it a practical daily device for the average user.

Specifications

• Colors: Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue
• Operating System: iOS 26
• Display: 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR 1-120Hz OLED
• Chipset: A19 Pro
• Storage Options: 256GB/512GB/1TB
• Rear Camera: 48MP f/1.6 main camera
• Front Camera: 18MP f/1.9 Centre Stage camera
• Charging: USB-C fast PD 2.0 20W charging, 20W wireless MagSafe charging, 20W wireless Qi 2 charging, 4.5W reverse wired
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 5G, NFC, eSIM-only
• Water and Dust Resistance: IP68
• Dimensions: 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm
• Weight: 165g