The initial reviews of the iPhone Air are in, and the slimline smartphone is being praised for its design but criticized for feature compromises.
The first reviews of the new iPhone variant, the iPhone Air, are starting to roll in. The initial impressions cover the considerable thinness of the model and its striking design versus other versions, as well as the compromises Apple had to make.
Those compromises also mean it has the dubious honor of being an iPhone release with a made-for-model accessory. The revival of the MagSafe battery is made specifically with the iPhone Air in mind, and it won't fit some other models.
The iPhone Air is available to preorder, starting from $999 for the 256GB model and rising to $1,399 for 1TB of storage capacity. It will be available from September 19.
Gizmodo
The review from Raymond Wong of Gizmodo initially talks about the impossibly thin nature of the iPhone Air. "Turns out an iPhone can be too thin and too light, maybe" he muses after dropping one on the floor, and seeing just minor scuffs.
Drawn to the iPhone Air among the range after a week of testing, the screen is said to be complaint-free, thanks to its 3,000 nits of brightness outdoors and ProMotion. The use of the A19 Pro sans vapor chamber wasn't an issue either, though it does still get warm.
The single camera on the back was "an adjustment" for Wong from a triple-lens layout, but it's still a solid shooter. The front 18MP Center Stage camera is the "real star of the show," with the orientation shifting making it easier to hold the device for selfies.
There is the wish for the Air to have more battery life, and that the slim appearance could've been sacrificed a tiny bit for more physical battery, but it's otherwise "fine."
Engadget
The compromises for the iPhone Air doesn't make sense "on paper," Sam Rutherford opens for Engadget. A shorter battery life, fewer cameras, and a bumper price tag versus the standard iPhone 17 isn't a good look, but that changes when you actually hold the device.
It's a prime example of the "sci-fi space pebble look" with rounded corners and polished edges that highlights Apple's craftsmanship. Apple does so while still maintaining strength, a decent screen, and while still keeping space for an Action Button and Camera Control on the side.
Oddly, Rutherford's main issue with the design is the use of a single mono speaker. While there's presence and volume, the use of non-stereo sound "doesn't sit quite right."
While having only one camera, it is still impressively taking portrait shots like a champ, while the front camera is praised for its new utility. Battery life isn't a problem, especially when combined with the MagSafe Battery, which is deemed an "essential accessory."
The iPhone Air is "so much more than" its thinness, as it represents a "radical evolution of Apple's design chops." It may even form the template Apple uses for a future foldable device.
CNET
Abrar Al-Heeti writing for CNET fell in love with the design, but it took the week to alleviate worried about durability and battery life. However, "that love can still be complicated."
The slim design meant a scaling back on some elements, with the battery taking a "noticeable hit" on heavy-use days. It held up a lot better under more moderate use.
The pared-back camera did mean the loss of the separate Ultra Wide sensor, as well as Cinematic mode videos. Even so, the iPhone Air was still "a breath of fresh air."
Ultimately, the iPhone Air can be "an enticing choice" for people bored with typical smartphone designs. There's still room for improvement from Apple, since it is a first-generation device, but it is still "a refreshing choice."
TechRadar
A light, balanced, and durable device, the iPhone Air is "sleek and refined" according to TechRadar's Jacob Krol. It may give a playbook of what to expect for future iPhones, or again the possible iPhone Fold.
The front is virtually all-screen, and is the main appeal here. Despite being only 0.2 inches bigger than the iPhone 17, it feels "a bit more expansive" in use, while still bright enough to beat the California sunshine.
Photographers will probably look elsewhere, but the shots it could take are still impressive, let alone considering the new Center Stage camera at the front. The A19 Pro did heat up the device at times, but it's all bundled up inside the "plateau."
The review concludes recommending it if you want the thinnest iPhone ever, a gorgeous large display, and if "you're ready for an iPhone that feels unlike the rest."
