iPhone Air Review: One Year With Apple's Super Thin $999 iPhone - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone Air Review: One Year With Apple's Super Thin $999 iPhone

It's been almost 12 months since Apple launched the iPhone Air, and because MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using it daily since launch, he decided to do a one-year review covering what it's like using Apple's super-thin iPhone on a long-term basis.


The ‌iPhone Air‌ is the thinnest iPhone Apple has released to date, and the form factor doesn't get old. It's pocketable, can be used with one hand, and it's much lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. There's not much compromise on screen size since it has a 6.5-inch OLED display.

Apple used a smaller battery in the ‌iPhone Air‌, and it doesn't last as long as the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro models. Some people might be able to get through the day on a single charge, but others will need an external battery pack like the one Apple built for the ‌iPhone Air‌.

There's a single camera, which is one of the compromises with Apple's super-thin iPhone. You only get the Wide lens, with no option for the Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses that come with the other ‌iPhone 17‌ models. No Ultra Wide also means no macro images.

Price was and continues to be the biggest ‌iPhone Air‌ issue. At $999, it's more expensive than the ‌iPhone 17‌, which has two cameras and nearly the same processor, and only $100 less than the three-camera ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro. The ‌iPhone Air‌'s price wasn't worth it to a lot of people, and rumors suggest that it didn't sell well.

Make sure to watch Dan's video to see all of his thoughts on the ‌iPhone Air‌.

Related Roundup: iPhone Air
Buyer's Guide: iPhone Air (Neutral)

Popular Stories

iphone 17 models

Apple Raises Prices of iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e

Wednesday September 9, 2026 11:39 am PDT by
Behind today's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo announcements, Apple has raised the prices of the existing iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e on its online store. The new starting prices for the three models now look like this: iPhone 16: $799 (+$100) iPhone 17e: $699 (+$100) iPhone 17: $899 (+$100) iPhone Air: $1099 (+$100)So that's a $100 price hike on all four...
iphone air 2

iPhone Air 2 Could Replace iPhone 18, Sketchy Rumor Claims

Tuesday September 8, 2026 4:23 am PDT by
Apple may be considering scrapping the standard iPhone 18 entirely and rebranding the iPhone Air 2 as its new $999 entry point when the more affordable iPhone models launch in spring 2027, a sketchy rumor claims. The claim comes from the X account "Early Apple," who said Apple is "exploring the idea" of having the Air 2 simply take over the iPhone 18 name and price point rather than...
iphone duo side

iPhone Duo Beats iPhone Air as Apple's Thinnest iPhone, But Only When Open

Wednesday September 9, 2026 3:43 pm PDT by
The new foldable iPhone Duo is the "thinnest iPhone ever," according to Apple. When unfolded, the device is 5.2mm thick, making it 0.4mm thinner than the 5.6mm iPhone Air. Rumors suggested it could be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8, but it didn't end up that thin. At 5.2mm, it's just a little bit thicker than the 5.1mm 13-inch iPad Pro, which is Apple's...

Top Rated Comments

5 weeks ago
To echo others, it’s by far the best iPhone I’ve ever owned:

-Super easy to hold, use and pocket
-Large screen that works for everything from browsing to reading to light work tasks
-Durable finish and materials - first iPhone I’m confident using without a case. Mine has zero scratches after a year.

The entire framing of the iPhone Air as missing “features” was wrong. It has the most IMPORTANT features in a handheld device - light weight, thin profile, fast processor and large screen. Sure, some may need a bigger battery or more cameras, but people are way too fixated on those aspects and miss the overall experience.

The truth is the opposite of popular opinion: iPhone Air is the PRACTICAL choice for those who want a phone that is easy to use day to day, while iPhone Pro is the FLASHY choice for those who want to show off that they have the best specs. To be fair, they are both great phones - the Air just never deserved the hate it got.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5 weeks ago
Air looks great, but is too large.

Air Mini anyone?
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xxFoxtail Avatar
5 weeks ago
The Air is still up there with my favorites. I think the SE 2016 is my top, then the 12/13 mini, and Air being next. I think I’d like the Air more if it was a bit smaller.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5 weeks ago
My favourite iphone out of every single iphone i’ve owned since 2007. Would love for it to be even thinner and lighter
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mentaluproar Avatar
5 weeks ago
TDLR: it was never a bad phone. just a bad price.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
manhattanboy Avatar
5 weeks ago

Yes, really. No macro.
Honestly, need telephoto? Crop. But nothing will get you UWA or macro if the lens isn't there.


I wish I could help you learn more about the camera. Below is shot on the air just now aimed at a Mac keyboard just like you did just now.

Attachment Image
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Microsoft Launches $2,599 Surface Laptop Ultra to Take on MacBook Pro
Microsoft Launches $2,599 Surface Laptop Ultra to Take on MacBook Pro
4 hours ago
Google's SynthID AI Detector is Now Available to Everyone
Google's SynthID AI Detector is Now Available to Everyone
5 hours ago
ChatGPT Gets GPT-6 and New Intelligent UI With Visual Answers
ChatGPT Gets GPT-6 and New Intelligent UI With Visual Answers
7 hours ago
Get AirPods Pro 3 for $179, Apple Watch for $199, and More Before Prime Day Ends Today
Get AirPods Pro 3 for $179, Apple Watch for $199, and More Before Prime Day Ends Today
7 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Score 4/10 for Repairability
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Score 4/10 for Repairability
7 hours ago
Apple Launches Creative Labs Program With The King's Trust
Apple Launches Creative Labs Program With The King's Trust
8 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 Owners Report Skin Irritation
Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 Owners Report Skin Irritation
10 hours ago
Boston's MBTA Testing New Charlie Card With Apple Wallet Support
Boston's MBTA Testing New Charlie Card With Apple Wallet Support
11 hours ago
Manchester's Bee Card Now Fully Supported in Apple Wallet
Manchester's Bee Card Now Fully Supported in Apple Wallet
13 hours ago
You Can Get Up to $149 Off Every New Mac Mini During Prime Day
You Can Get Up to $149 Off Every New Mac Mini During Prime Day
14 hours ago
Best Buy Takes $260 Off All iPhone Air Models During Techtober Sale
Best Buy Takes $260 Off All iPhone Air Models During Techtober Sale
14 hours ago
The Best Anker Prime Day Deals: Score Big on MagSafe Chargers and More
The Best Anker Prime Day Deals: Score Big on MagSafe Chargers and More
14 hours ago
12 New Things to Expect From Apple in October
12 New Things to Expect From Apple in October
14 hours ago
Prime Day Offers Best TV Prices of the Year From Samsung, Sony, and More
Prime Day Offers Best TV Prices of the Year From Samsung, Sony, and More
15 hours ago
First Look at LG's Smart Home Products Made With Apple
First Look at LG's Smart Home Products Made With Apple
16 hours ago
Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Ultra 4 See Record Discounts During Prime Day
Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Ultra 4 See Record Discounts During Prime Day
16 hours ago
Apple Drops Intel Macs From Magic Mouse/Trackpad Compatibility Lists
Apple Drops Intel Macs From Magic Mouse/Trackpad Compatibility Lists
16 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Waiting on Samsung for Ultimate Bezel-Free iPhone Display
Apple Reportedly Waiting on Samsung for Ultimate Bezel-Free iPhone Display
17 hours ago
Apple's Own Home Security Camera Still Coming Next Year
Apple's Own Home Security Camera Still Coming Next Year
18 hours ago
Unfolded iPhone Duo Lets You Preview Documents in a Two-Page Layout
Unfolded iPhone Duo Lets You Preview Documents in a Two-Page Layout
19 hours ago
Formula 1 Coverage on Apple TV to Get Dolby Atmos Later This Month
Formula 1 Coverage on Apple TV to Get Dolby Atmos Later This Month
20 hours ago
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
1 day ago
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
1 day ago
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
1 day ago
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
1 day ago
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
1 day ago
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
2 days ago
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
2 days ago
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
2 days ago
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
2 days ago