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2025 - Apple iPhone Air - It is a Compromise

After One Month: Why the iPhone Air Is Losing Its Shine

After a month with the iPhone Air, I finally understand why some people are returning it while others are holding on to it. Personally, I’m leaning toward the first group. The excitement has worn off, and I’m starting to feel a bit of buyer’s remorse. In hindsight, I probably should’ve gone with the base iPhone 17 instead—it’s got a 6.3-inch screen, dual cameras, better battery life, and it’s $200 cheaper. As sleek and modern as the Air is, it’s starting to lose its luster for me.

Why I Chose the iPhone Air

I’d been holding on to my aging Samsung A32 as a work phone for too long. My main device had been the iPhone 16, but with the launch of the iPhone Air, my plan seemed perfect: the Air would become my personal phone, and the 16 would move to work duty.

What caught my attention was Apple’s marketing pitch—a thinner, lighter iPhone that still featured the 120 Hz ProMotion display found on higher-end models. That combination of smooth performance and a lightweight build sounded like the ideal balance I’d been waiting for.

The First Week: A Great Start with Small Trade-Offs

After the first week, I felt like I’d made the right choice. The iPhone Air felt quick, sleek, and modern, and the ProMotion display made everyday tasks like scrolling, gaming, and browsing feel incredibly fluid.

Still, it didn’t take long to notice the compromises. There’s only a single rear camera—no ultrawide or macro lens—and just one mono speaker. I mostly use AirPods, so that wasn’t a big deal, but the battery life was clearly a step down from the Pro models. Even with the 80% charging cap for battery health, it managed to get through a day of moderate use. For that first week, those trade-offs felt reasonable.

One Month Later: The Compromises Add Up

After a month, things look a little different. I’ve had to raise the battery cap from 80% to 90% because I was consistently hitting 20% before the end of the day. My usage averages around 6% battery per hour, so I get about 10 to 11 hours of screen time before needing to recharge.

Technically, Apple’s “all-day battery” claim holds up if you charge to 100%, but in reality, 10 to 11 hours is what you can expect if you care about battery longevity. It’s fine—but it’s definitely not impressive. Battery anxiety is real with this phone, and I can see why many people prefer the 17 or the Pro models for that reason.

The Air still feels great in the hand, but it’s starting to feel like a niche product—similar to what the iPhone Mini became. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple quietly drops it after a generation or two. That said, its design remains its best quality. The 6.5-inch display inside such a slim, lightweight frame is genuinely impressive. The thinness isn’t just a design gimmick—it really does make a difference in daily comfort. The Air feels premium without being heavy or overdesigned, and that’s something Apple deserves credit for.

Who the iPhone Air Is For

If you want every premium feature Apple offers, the Pro Max is still your best bet. If you just want a reliable, affordable iPhone, the base 17 is the smarter buy. But if you want something balanced—lightweight, comfortable, and still fast enough for everyday use—the Air hits a nice middle ground. It’s not the flashiest iPhone, but it’s practical and pleasant to use.

The Bigger Picture

Apple’s current lineup feels more complete than ever. Between the iPhone 17, Air, Pro, and Pro Max, there’s a model for nearly everyone. The Air doesn’t try to outshine the others—it focuses on balance, simplicity, and usability. For people who care more about how a phone feels than how many lenses it has, that’s a smart play.

Still, I can’t help but think Apple’s next big step will be the foldable iPhone, which would satisfy that small percentage of users who crave something truly new.

Looking Ahead

I’m torn about what comes next. I’ve already upgraded from the 14 Pro to the 16, and now to the Air in just a few years. Part of me is curious about how Apple could design a foldable, but another part of me wants to slow down. Maybe in three or four years, when the technology matures, I’ll be ready to jump again. For now, the iPhone Air remains a well-balanced device that does a lot right—but after a month of use, it’s clear it’s not quite the standout I hoped it would be.

iPhone Family Comparison

Specification iPhone Air iPhone 16 iPhone 17
Screen 6.5″ (2736 × 1260) ~460 ppi – 120 Hz 6.1″ (1179 × 2556) ~460 ppi – 60 Hz 6.3″ (2622 × 1206) ~460 ppi – 120 Hz
Processor A19 Pro A18 Bionic (3 nm) A19 chip
RAM 8 GB 8 GB 8 GB
Storage 256 GB 128 GB 256 GB
Battery / Usage 3149 mAh 3561 mAh 3692 mAh
Camera (rear) 48 MP 48 MP / 12 MP 48 MP / 48 MP
Weight 5.8 oz 6 oz 6.24 oz
Port / Charge USB-C 2.0 USB-C 2.0 USB-C 2.0



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