Apple iPhone Air review: A stunning smartphone with some compromises

Apple is no stranger to trying out new ideas. Over the years we’ve seen mini iPhones along with plus-sized devices with giant screens. Now the company is back with a more slimline device called the iPhone Air. It’s not actually a new notion. Samsung has already launched its sleek Galaxy S25 Edge and Chinese manufacturer Honor recently released its lusciously skinny Magic V5 which folds in half like a book.

So, is a slender smartphone now the future or is this simply another fad that will be sent to the history books next year? And with a starting price of £999, would you pay an extra £200 over the regular iPhone 17 for a slimmed down device? I’ve been testing out the Air since it was first unveiled, and I have to say I’m mightily impressed.

It has to be seen to be believed and I guarantee this will be the device all iPhone fans will be rushing to gaze at when it lands in Apple Stores across the country later this week.

Open the box, lift it out of the packaging, and you can’t help but be wowed by the Air’s stunning design. This phone is so thin and light, at 5.64mm and 165g, it’s almost impossible to fathom. It actually reminds me of my old iPod Touch—a device that I absolutely loved but could never match what the Air is now capable of.

The Ceramic Shield Glass 2 on the back with a matt finish and shiny titanium frame all add the appeal and also make the phone feel super premium in the hand.

Now, you might be worried about the durability of something so slim. Many might remember the nightmare of “bendgate”, which plagued the iPhone 6 range back in 2014.

Thankfully, there’s no sign that Apple will suffer the same issues here.

I’ve actually seen what the firm puts this device through using a torture machine for tech and it passed with flying colours.

With the device sat on two pads, a stress test was performed in front of my eyes, which puts a set amount of pressure right in the middle of the device. Although I could see the Air bending slightly, it didn’t crack, break, or smash and returned to its normal form once the test had finished.

It’s impressive stuff and shows off just how strong the Air is despite its dainty appearance.

Along with its striking looks, the iPhone Air also packs a glorious 6.5-inch ProMotion screen into its shell, which looks bright, clear and packed with detail.

The 120Hz refresh rate also means scrolling and playing games appear smooth and totally stutter-free. Tucked under its wafer-thin body is the latest A19 Pro chip, the same found in the iPhone 17 Pro, which supplies ludicrous amounts of power.

A new Apple-made C1X modem and new N1 wireless networking chip are also included for faster web browsing and better connectivity. All of these components are also super efficient and that’s vital as Apple has had to pop a much smaller battery inside the Air due to its overall size.

The firm promises all-day battery life from the Air, and that’s not far from the truth. I’ve been able to squeeze enough power out of it without having to pop it on the charger before bed.

Even with the screen pushed to full brightness and a video streamed via Disney+, I only lost around 10 percent after two hours of playback.

Spoiler alert: The Air is not going to last anywhere near as long as the new Pro models.

Apple is even aware that this might cause some concerns with the firm launching a dedicated battery pack that sticks to the rear case via MagSafe (at a cost of £100 extra of course!).

For the average user who might sit at a desk, charge at work or have it plugged into their car, I honestly don’t think battery life will be a problem. Just be aware that after a long day and a night on the town, things might be low when you try to order the Uber home.

If I had one gripe about the battery, it would be that the battery pack accessory doesn’t feature light indicators to let you know what power is left in its tank.

The only way to find out is to snap it to the back of the Air, which is a little inconvenient.

So battery life is a bit of a compromise, but what about the camera?

To maximise battery space, Apple’s team has placed the processor, modem, and other tech in a bar that runs across the phone’s top. It’s a neat design, but it does mean there’s only room for one camera. The cheaper iPhone 17 has two lenses. Luckily, it is a clever 48MP fusion snapper that has all kinds of tricks up its sleeve.

You can zoom and snap wider-angle shots, plus it will take portrait images and shoot video in 4K, but there’s no 0.5x ultra-wide option.

It can even reduce background noise when filming, and you can add Hollywood-style sound effects after a mini movie has been recorded.

It’s a decent camera that will take solid photos day and night. SEE OUR TEST IMAGES BELOW

However, it can’t match the might of the iPhone 17 Pro’s triple camera system.

If you simply take photos of friends in the pub or your kids playing in the park you won’t be disappointed. But those after the ultimate image experience are definitely better off switching to the Pro models.

For example, the Air won’t snap that epic ultra-wide shot at a football stadium or zoom in close when the ref holds up a red card. It also struggles with extreme close-ups as there’s no macro technology.

Where the Air can match its siblings is with the new front-facing Center Stage Camera. This selfie snapper is a game-changer in my opinion.

It adapts the lens automatically depending on the number of people in your shot and widens the frame without you spinning the phone around.

So, you can go from a portrait selfie to a full wide-angle landscape image without touching the settings or changing the grip on the device.

I think this will be one of the most-used new features on all the new iPhones, especially as it works so seamlessly.

Another bonus is something called Dual Capture, which records using both the front and rear cameras simultaneously. This allows you to film your reaction at the same time as you video what’s going on on the other side of the camera.

Just like last year’s iPhones, the Air gets the Camera Control button on the side of the case, which launches the camera app and acts as a shutter button.

It also offers instant access to new AI tool Visual Intelligence, which tells you what something is by simply pointing the camera lens at it.

Now, we can’t finish this review without talking about eSIMs. The Air is the very first iPhone to ship worldwide without a physical SIM card tray.

That may sound terrifying, but it’s not as scary as it seems. Most networks now send out devices pre-loaded with your number, and it’s also super easy to transfer these digital SIMs from one phone to another.

By eliminating this slot, Apple says it has freed up some much-needed space for the battery. All iPhones sold in the US already have this feature, and I wouldn’t be surprised if every iPhone sold worldwide switches to eSIM tech in the coming years. So we are all going to need to get used to it, but the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro phones still have a physical SIM slot in the UK.

There’s plenty to like about the Air, and it’s definitely one of the most exciting updates from the design team in Cupertino in a while. Making it even more appealing are accessories such as the smart Crossbody Strap that pairs with an Apple case so you can comfortably wear your iPhone hands‑free.

Is it the best iPhone ever? I think that award still goes to the Pro iPhones.

Should you buy one?

Well, that depends on how desperate you are for a thin smartphone. The standard iPhone 17 has had one of its biggest ever upgrades this year and is almost impossible not to recommend. The iPhone 17 Pro continues to offer premium features, extended battery life, new vapour chamber technology and impressive cameras which are tough to beat.

The Air is a surprisingly good device that will turn heads when pulled from your pocket. Its size is mind-blowing and it still gets a great screen, super-speedy processor and tough design.

However, there are compromises, and it can’t match its siblings in terms of camera or overall battery life, all at a cost of £999.

Time will tell if people want a skinny phone, but one thing is for sure: Expect plenty of queues to see it when it arrives in stores this Friday.