The iPhone Air is a compromise between form and function, and customers are very aware of that. Apple VP of Industrial Design says she's happy that the latest model is a tough choice.

The iPhone Air is super thin at 5.6mm and sports the new camera bar that houses all of its components. However, the single rear camera and less-than-pro battery life will make it a tough tradeoff.

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the Apple design team wanted it to be a tough choice in 2025. Picking between the capable and feature-packed iPhone 17 Pro and the fashionable iPhone Air is going to be a conundrum for many pre-ordering folks on Friday.

"It's something that we dreamed about for a long time," Molly Anderson, VP of industrial design said, "to make just an incredibly, shockingly thin iPhone."

While the iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made, it isn't its thinnest product. That trophy is still held by Apple's iPad Pro with M4.

The move to titanium in the iPhone Air while going back to the lighter aluminum in iPhone 17 Pro was also seen as controversial. Apple completely changed how it approached the pro model design by creating a unibody structure.

So, even with its lower entry price, the ProMotion Retina display, and titanium frame, it seems to be quite the premium iPhone. Customers may be attracted to that $999 price and feature set.

"I really think people will struggle with it," Anderson said. "Because, you know, the Pro is a beautiful and incredible product as well. But I think the lightness, the lean towards style, the idea of not carrying so much weight, is just such a different experience."

The new cases and crossbody strap are also an emphasis on trying to meet customers where they are. Younger users have been using straps and other gear to actually wear their iPhone, so Apple wanted in on that crowd.

Apple CEO Tim Cook says he won't be picking between one or the other. Instead, he'll pick up the iPhone Air when he wants "to float through the air."

"When something becomes so much a part of you, it needs to reflect your style," Cook said. "We're saying this product is so personal that it needs to reflect you. And you are the best person to decide what that means."

Apple's VP of interface design Alan Dye called back to Steve Jobs, suggesting that iPhone Air is a step towards the singular piece of glass Jobs had referred to. While the Apple executives were tight-lipped about future plans, the report alleges what rumors have been saying — iPhone Air is likely a precursor to iPhone Fold in 2026.