Apple has pushed the boundaries of design and performance with iPhone Air, combining a stunningly thin and light form factor with pro-level capabilities. At just 5.6mm thick, it’s the thinnest iPhone ever made, yet packed with features that make it one of the most versatile and durable smartphones you can carry. No matter what your lifestyle is like, iPhone Air is built to keep up with your day.
Overall Look & Feel
iPhone Air features a grade 5 titanium frame with a high-gloss mirror finish that feels premium in hand. The precision-milled back plateau houses the cameras, speaker, and Apple silicon, optimizing internal space for a larger battery. The new Action button lets you perform key functions with a single press, while Camera Control gives instant access to your camera or visual intelligence features. Holding it feels impossibly light, which I immediately noticed while testing it around my apartment. Even when reaching for it across the couch or kitchen counter, it never felt the least bit cumbersome.
Display
The 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display is a visual treat, featuring ProMotion with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and vibrant graphics. The Always-On display lets you check key info at a glance, and drops to 1Hz when idle to conserve battery.
I found myself glancing at notifications and widgets without having to wake the screen – something I have grown accustomed to on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. With 3000 nits peak brightness and 2x better outdoor contrast, even bright natural light streaming through my living area windows doesn’t make content hard to see.
The front Ceramic Shield 2 is tougher than any previous iPhone glass and now extends to the back plateau, giving 4x better crack resistance, which is reassuring for someone like me who sometimes leaves my phone on crowded countertops.
Camera
iPhone Air takes photography and video to a new level. The Centre Stage front camera introduces the first square sensor on iPhone, capturing up to 18MP and allowing landscape selfies while holding the device vertically. For group shots, AI expands the frame automatically. Dual Capture enables recording on both front and rear cameras simultaneously, and ultra-stable 4K HDR video ensures professional-quality footage. I tested this indoors during a mini photo session at my desk, and the clarity and stability were immediately noticeable.
On the back, the 48MP Fusion camera system gives you the equivalent of four lenses. The main lens supports 28mm and 35mm focal lengths, while a 2x Telephoto and updated Photonic Engine capture lifelike details and vibrant colors. Next-gen Photographic Styles let you tweak tone and brightness in real time, and a new Bright style enhances skin tones naturally. Video features include 4K60 fps Dolby Vision, Action mode, Spatial Audio, Audio Mix, and wind noise reduction for cinema-quality clips. Filming a quick time-lapse in my indoor lighting, I was impressed by how consistent and detailed the video remained.
Performance: A19 Pro
Powered by Apple silicon, iPhone Air features the A19 Pro, N1 wireless chip, and C1X cellular modem for unmatched performance and efficiency. The 6-core CPU delivers faster, smoother daily performance, while the 5-core GPU handles mobile gaming effortlessly. Neural Accelerators power on-device AI for features like Photographic Styles and Apple Intelligence.
N1 supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, improving connectivity for AirDrop, Personal Hotspot, and other wireless features. C1X offers faster cellular speeds than iPhone 16 Pro while consuming 30% less energy, making iPhone Air the most efficient iPhone in Apple’s lineup. I noticed smooth streaming and faster downloads while testing Netflix and YouTube in my apartment Wi-Fi setup – definitely an improvement over the previous iPhone generation.
eSIM
iPhone Air features an eSIM-only design, which saves internal space, contributes to the thin form factor, and provides enhanced security. eSIM works with over 500 carriers worldwide, including Singtel, StarHub, and M1, and simplifies connectivity while traveling. Most of us are already using eSIMs or are familiar with how it works – so this allows for no interruptions to transitioning to the iPhone Air. The eSIM cannot be physically removed, which adds peace of mind if your phone is misplaced or stolen.
Battery Life
Thanks to its internal architecture and efficient silicon, iPhone Air delivers all-day battery life. Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26 learns your usage patterns and intelligently conserves energy. During a typical day of browsing, video calls, emails, and streaming at home, I never had to worry about running out of battery. With software optimizations, iPhone Air ensures you can power through work, calls, and entertainment without constantly reaching for a charger.
iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence
iPhone Air comes with iOS 26, which introduces new Apple Intelligence capabilities for on-the-go productivity. Live Translation lets you translate text and audio directly in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone. Visual intelligence enables you to interact with anything on your screen, and a new on-device foundation model allows developers to build intelligent, privacy-protected apps that work offline. New features in CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, Wallet, and Apple Games make iPhone Air a more expressive and capable device than ever. While testing some of the new Maps and Apple Music features from the comfort of my apartment, I appreciated the smooth responsiveness and useful notifications without leaving the couch.
Accessories
Apple offers a new range of accessories for iPhone Air:
- iPhone Air Case with MagSafe in frost and shadow, featuring a lightweight, ultra-thin translucent design.
- iPhone Air Bumper, available in four colors, offers reinforced edge protection.
- Crossbody Strap, crafted from 100% recycled yarns, is comfortable, adjustable, and available in 10 colors to match your style. I tried it indoors while moving between my living room and kitchen, and it felt secure yet comfortable for hours.
- iPhone Air MagSafe Battery, which attaches seamlessly to the back and provides up to 40 hours of video playback when used throughout the day.
Pricing & Availability
iPhone Air comes in space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue, with storage options including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
iPhone Air will start at S$1,599. For those who has placed a pre-order, you will receive your iPhone Air starting from 19 September 2025, Friday.
Head to Apple or your nearest Apple store to try the iPhone Air out for yourself.
Check out my First Looks on iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max here.
