iPhone Air First Look: Apple's Thinnest iPhone Feels Premium - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone Air First Look: Apple's Thinnest iPhone Feels Premium

Apple introduced the super thin iPhone Air today, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera was able to test it out after Apple's event. He shared some initial thoughts, giving us a first look at the device in the real world.


Unsurprisingly, the ‌iPhone Air‌ is indeed "Awe Dropping" at first touch just because it's so lightweight and thin in the hand despite the 6.5-inch display. Even though it's light, it still feels like a premium device, which is expected at the $999 price point. The ‌iPhone Air‌ is 5.6mm thick, which makes it the thinnest iPhone to date, and it weighs 165 grams.

Apple added a new 18-megapixel front-facing camera that has a square sensor, so you can get more into the field of view. It's useful for group selfies and video calls.

There's a camera "plateau" at the back of the ‌iPhone Air‌ for the single-lens 48-megapixel rear camera. According to Apple, that area holds the front-facing camera, rear-facing camera, and some other hardware, enabling the thin design. The frame is titanium, and Apple says it won't bend. The OLED display offers 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates.

Other features include Face ID, Camera Control, and an Action button.

Apple added a custom N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a new C1X modem, and the A19 Pro chip to optimize battery life. The ‌iPhone Air‌ battery lasts for up to 27 hours when watching videos, and you can extend that if you pay another $99 for a MagSafe battery pack. The other iPhone 17 models have longer battery life, but the ‌iPhone Air‌ does have a better battery than the prior-generation iPhone 16.

The ‌iPhone Air‌ will be available for pre-order this Friday, and it'll launch on the 19th.

Related Roundup: iPhone Air
Buyer's Guide: iPhone Air (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

iPhone Air

iPhone Air 2 Still Coming Despite 'Abysmal' Expected Sales

Monday April 20, 2026 9:42 am PDT by
Despite the iPhone Air's notoriously poor sales, Apple will still launch a next generation model, according to a leaker. In a recent post on Weibo, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said that Apple still plans to release a second-generation iPhone Air model: The Air 2 will proceed with its standard product iteration cycle; no matter how abysmal the sales turn out to be, Apple will ...
iPhone 17 Pro and Air Feature

Some iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Users Experiencing a Charging Issue

Thursday April 30, 2026 9:47 am PDT by
Earlier this week, 9to5Mac's Benjamin Mayo reported on an apparent charging issue affecting at least some of Apple's latest iPhone models. In short, Mayo said that when he attempted to charge his iPhone Air with a USB-C cable just seconds after the device ran out of battery, it failed to turn on and did not display the usual red battery icon that indicates charging is occurring. Mayo...
iphone 17 air

iPhone Air's Poor Sales Spook Rivals Into Ditching Ultra-Thin Phone Plans

Friday May 1, 2026 7:34 am PDT by
A Weibo leaker today suggested that Apple's iPhone Air 2 may be the only next-generation ultra-thin flagship smartphone from a major brand, after the original model's poor sales performance appears to have led competing manufacturers to abandon plans for their own follow-up products. The leaker known as "Digital Chat Station" today posted on Weibo, claiming that the iPhone Air barely...

Top Rated Comments

Achillias Avatar
9 months ago
I have to admit, I'm mostly impressed by the design of the iPhone Air. I think it looks really good. However, we Europeans are getting screwed again with that €1229 price tag, especially considering the euro is stronger than the dollar. I’ll need to see it in the Apple Store first before placing my order.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
9 months ago

I guess the days of Apple coming out with something later excuse with something better is over.
The S25 EDGE beats it. 5.65mm vs 5.8mm. 163gm vs 165gms. 6.7 I inch vs 6.5 inch. One camera vs 2.
Apple is rumored to be coming out with a fold, flip, ring etc. Samsung has them. Now.
Apple is being left behind. Sad really. They used to be good.
I have no interest in using Android.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
9 months ago
I like it, just that the camera, or better lack of cameras, makes it a no-go for me.
But I think it will sell like hotcakes
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TalkieToaster Avatar
9 months ago
I want the mini back!!! Why are they so focused on thinness and not footprint?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
9 months ago

Fancy marketing aside I can see its uses. Since the bulk of phones I have to wear looser fitting pants and shorts so its easier to slide in and out. I miss the mini form factor and the ones before it since allowed for accessories like wallet cases for a night out or putting it in my shirt pocket to talk to someone if my hands were busy.
I loved how the SE1 just disappeared in pockets. Tiny and so light.

An excellent tool.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
x-evil-x Avatar
9 months ago
This is the best looking phone they have this year. The back is simple and I like the layout of the camera bump the best. I feel like I don’t need a pro anymore after the 120hz across all lines now. Would I miss the other camera’s? I don’t think so. I also don’t use cases.
Still unsure which one I want but I think the air is it for me
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)