The iPhone Air is so light, I totally forgot it was in my pocket!

Having used the iPhone Air for 10 days, I can affirm the prevailing speculation: it is indeed incredibly light and slim. However, the real question is whether Apple’s slimmest phone, measuring just 5.64 millimeters, justifies the sacrifices it entails.

I’ve relied on the iPhone 15 Pro Max as my primary device for over a year and a half, often switching to flagship Android devices, so I’m familiar with the heft of a substantial smartphone. After using the Air, picking up the iPhone 17 Pro Max made it feel unexpectedly heavy, highlighting what Apple has achieved here along with what you might be compromising.

Friends who have held the iPhone Air comment on its stunning design and delightful feel, even though it only weighs 12 grams less than the iPhone 17. I share this appreciation; I find myself lifting the device just to revisit that sensation. While the novelty of its construction may fade, I’m currently relishing it.

The phone isn’t small, but its thin profile makes it easier to hold. (Sorry, fans of the iPhone Mini.) However, if you find operating large-screen phones with one hand challenging, the Air’s 6.5-inch display won’t change that much.

As the title suggests, I often forget about the iPhone Air in my pocket. If you struggle with fitting larger devices, the iPhone Air will likely suit you. If that’s not an issue for you, your pockets will simply feel less burdened.

While the device is slender, it maintains impressive sturdiness. I accidentally dropped it from my bedside table height, and it remained unscathed. Once, I even sat on it by mistake, and it retained its shape. Numerous videos demonstrate its resilience in typical daily scenarios.

I generally use phones without a case and aimed to avoid adding bulk to the iPhone Air. However, if you intend to use Apple’s new shoulder strap, a case is necessary. For added protection without significant added weight, you can opt for Apple’s bumper case.

Concerns have been raised about the battery life of the iPhone Air’s sleek design. I observed that the phone tends to heat up after prolonged gaming or video streaming, particularly near the camera area, leading me to check the battery percentage more frequently than I should.

The device has ample processing power for graphically intensive games, but if you plan to use the phone heavily throughout the day, investing in Apple’s $99 MagSafe battery pack, which fits neatly onto the back, is wise as it easily extends your battery life. Furthermore, the pack allows you to charge MagSafe-compatible AirPods as needed.

In general, the battery performance of the iPhone Air is adequate for basic tasks such as making calls, watching videos, browsing social media, and replying to emails over Wi-Fi. During a two-hour flight while watching a downloaded Netflix movie, I didn’t notice a significant battery drop. However, it’s essential to remember that this is a new device, and battery life may decline over time, which could be a concern if you plan to keep the phone for over a year or two.

A notable downside of the iPhone Air is its camera setup, which employs a single-lens rear camera. It features a 48-megapixel sensor with an f/1.6 aperture, similar to the base iPhone 17. The camera, with a 26-millimeter focal length, includes sensor-shift stabilization for decent image capture under various lighting scenarios. While the photo details are satisfactory, I’ve observed that the iPhone’s camera often brightens the background more than the actual view.

There’s no dedicated telephoto camera, so a 2x crop from the main sensor is your alternative. This zoom performs well, except in low-light settings. As a pet owner, I’ve appreciated good zoom capabilities to capture my pets at a distance. Missing this option with the iPhone Air was disappointing.

The lack of a wide-angle lens may also be a drawback for frequent travelers wanting to capture expansive landscapes.

Apple revamped its selfie camera sensor with a new square 18-megapixel sensor across the new lineup. This design allows selfies in various formats without needing to hold the phone in landscape mode. With Center Stage, the camera automatically adjusts to encompass more people in the frame, and you can also manually control the zoom and orientation. Additionally, for those creating videos for diverse channels, the new iPhones offer the option to record clips using both front and back cameras simultaneously.

A quick note: the Air retains the camera control button from previous iPhones, though I haven’t found much use for it.

Another minor drawback is its single speaker. The iPhone Air is designed so that Apple couldn’t incorporate bottom speakers. Consequently, when gaming, listening to music, or taking calls, you’ll hear sound solely from the speaker above the display. Personally, I often rely on AirPods, but I missed having dual speakers while casually watching videos without earbuds.

While Apple has done an exceptional job engineering a beautiful device, the bigger challenge lies in persuading consumers to purchase it. The Air fills the fourth slot in Apple’s annual iPhone lineup, previously held by the Mini and Plus. Its purpose is to exceed expectations in that regard, but who is the target audience?

Just as my colleagues Amanda Silberling and Julie Bort noted on launch day, the iPhone Air’s allure is hard to resist thanks to its striking appearance. Holding the phone may further reinforce your conviction. When I got my hands on the iPhone Air, I told a friend it felt like a “vibe phone”—more about the aesthetic and tactile experience than pure functionality.

This isn’t a phone you can charge in the morning and trust to last all day without supplemental battery support. However, if appearance or portability reigns supreme over all-day battery life and a multi-lens camera system, then the iPhone Air might just be for you. Otherwise, you might want to consider the other options in the iPhone lineup.