Revealed at the company’s “Awe Dropping” event, this new addition to the iPhone 17 lineup slots between the standard iPhone 17 and the Pro models, offering a compelling mix of portability, power, and style. With a focus on sleek aesthetics and robust performance, the iPhone Air signals Apple’s intent to compete in the growing trend of ultra-thin smartphones, challenging rivals like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge.
A Featherweight Powerhouse: Design and Durability
At just 5.6mm thick—thinner than four stacked dimes—the iPhone Air is Apple’s slimmest iPhone to date, shaving nearly 2mm off the iPhone 16 Pro’s 8.25mm profile. Crafted from polished Grade 5 titanium, the frame not only feels premium but also enhances durability, making it the most robust iPhone yet, according to Apple. Both the front and back are shielded by Ceramic Shield 2, which offers four times the crack resistance and three times the scratch resistance of earlier glass designs. Available in Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue, the iPhone Air exudes sophistication with a mirrored finish that reflects light elegantly.
The phone’s internal layout has been reengineered to accommodate its slim form. A unique “plateau” at the top houses the cameras, speaker, and critical components, allowing for a high-density battery without compromising thinness. This design choice ensures the iPhone Air remains lightweight at approximately 145 grams, making it comfortable for all-day use.
Immersive Visuals: The 6.5-Inch ProMotion Display
The iPhone Air sports a 6.5-inch LTPO ProMotion OLED display, delivering vibrant colors and smooth performance with a refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. This marks a significant upgrade from the standard iPhone 17’s 6.3-inch screen, offering more space for streaming, gaming, or productivity tasks. The always-on display supports live activities and widgets, staying visible with minimal power draw. With a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, the screen excels in outdoor settings, enhanced by a seven-layer antireflective coating to reduce glare.
Apple’s use of Ceramic Shield 2 on both sides, combined with a new atomic-level bonded coating, ensures the display is not only durable but also easier to read in bright conditions. This makes the iPhone Air a versatile companion for users who switch between urban offices and sunlit trails.
Performance That Packs a Punch: A19 Pro and Connectivity
Powering the iPhone Air is the A19 Pro chip, which Apple claims delivers MacBook Pro-level computing in a smartphone. The chip features a six-core CPU, a five-core GPU with dynamic caching 2.0, and neural accelerators in every GPU core, tripling the AI compute power of the A18 Pro. This enables seamless handling of intensive tasks like real-time photo processing, augmented reality, and machine learning-driven features in iOS 26.
Connectivity sees major upgrades with Apple’s custom N1 chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread for faster, more reliable wireless performance. The new C1X modem doubles 5G speeds compared to its predecessor while consuming 30% less power, ensuring efficient data transfer even in low-signal areas. The iPhone Air is eSIM-only worldwide, streamlining setup for travelers and saving internal space for other components.
Camera Innovation in a Slim Package
The iPhone Air’s camera system is a standout, featuring a 48MP Fusion Camera that integrates multiple functions into a single lens. It captures detailed 24MP default photos, supports 2x telephoto shots, and offers focal lengths of 26mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 52mm for versatile framing. New photographic styles and sensor-shift stabilization enhance low-light performance and portrait shots with adjustable focus. The front-facing 24MP camera introduces Center Stage, using AI to adjust framing dynamically during video calls, and supports Dual Capture video to record from both front and rear cameras simultaneously.
These advancements make the iPhone Air a strong contender for casual photographers and content creators who want professional-grade results without the bulk of a multi-lens system.
Battery and Accessories for the Modern User
Despite its slim profile, the iPhone Air delivers all-day battery life, with Apple touting up to 40 hours of video playback when paired with a new low-profile MagSafe battery pack. The high-density battery benefits from the A19 Pro’s efficiency and iOS 26’s Adaptive Power Mode, which learns usage patterns to optimize performance. A 10-minute charge yields eight hours of video playback, catering to users with demanding schedules.
New accessories enhance the experience: a translucent case in Frost and Shadow finishes, a lightweight polycarbonate bumper in matching colors, and a crossbody strap with flexible magnets for hands-free carrying. These options balance style and functionality, appealing to users who value personalization.
A Step Toward the Future
Priced at $999, the iPhone Air is available for pre-order now, with availability starting September 19. It kicks off Apple’s multi-year plan to refresh iPhone designs, with rumors pointing to a foldable device in 2026 and a major redesign by 2027. By blending premium features with an ultra-thin form, the iPhone Air sets a new standard for what a smartphone can be—light, powerful, and ready for anything.