iPhone Air: A week with Apple's thinnest phone yet

Apple released its lightest and thinnest iPhone yet with the unveiling of the iPhone Air in September. And after using the device for a week, I can say it took me some time to learn to love it.

First thoughts? It looks sleek. Very sleek. I mean, it’s just 5.6 mm (30 per cent thinner
than the iPhone 16 Pro). And it only weighs 165 grams. But the size took me a bit to get used to. It’s so light that you almost forget you are holding something.

For the last few years, I have been using the “Plus” models of iPhone and have loved the larger size, at 6.7 inches. While the Air isn’t quite as big, coming in at 6.5 inches, it’s still a good size for things like gaming and streaming.

Thinner, but even more durable

My phone meets the ground at least once every couple of months. I have always used a durable silicone case to protect my device, but for the iPhone Air, I have been using just a bumper case, and it still feels very protective. It just takes a few days to get used to the weight of the Air.

Lucky for me and other somewhat clumsy folks, Apple designed this latest device with durability in mind — it has a super-strong titanium frame, a ceramic shield front with improved scratch resistance and the same shield on the back, which makes it four times more resistant to cracks.

So, we know titanium is strong, but Apple has used the same grade of titanium that is used in aerospace projects, which makes me feel a little safer toting around the phone — which is also dust- and water-resistant.

Battery situation

To me, battery life is one of the most important features — I think I still dream of how my 2000s-era Nokia would last for weeks on a single charge. I know times have changed, and now I am pretty thrilled if I can get a full day without being tied to a charger.

When I tested the new iPhone Air, I was on a trip to Nova Scotia, which meant long days of exploring and not much access to a charger.

Luckily, it lasted even as I took WAY too many photos and videos.

And when it comes to taking photos of your food, the detail is incredible. I took this shot of smoked meat at Schwartz’s Deli in Montreal — just take a look at the clarity in that poutine!

The iPhone Air is comparable to the iPhone 16 Pro with up to 27 hours of video playback. I did carry around a new accessory from Apple, just in case, but I only needed it for short periods at the end of the day.

With the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery, you get up to 40 hours of playback. And honestly, it’s a sleek, easy-to-carry option for busier days where you might need some extra juice.

How exactly does it work? The MagSafe Battery will pick the right moments
to recharge your iPhone Air — you can use it for a quick boost while low on battery, or simply attach it to both devices at 100 per cent to use connected all day.

Tech specs

The iPhone Air uses an A19 Pro Chip — which, according to Apple, “improves on the CPU and Neural Engine and introduces a new GPU architecture with Neural Accelerators for the first time, improving its compute power for AI workflows.”

It also comes equipped with a new 6-core CPU, which is faster and more power-efficient and is up to 40 percent faster than the CPU in iPhone 14.

If you’re curious about how your current device stacks up, you can compare it here.

Overall impressions

The iPhone Air is impressive. Apple is constantly innovating, and I am always looking forward to seeing what comes out next.

If you have the budget, it’s a nice upgrade with some awesome new features. And you can always trade in your old device to save on the cost of a new one.