Apple has unveiled the iPhone Air at its 2025 “Awe Dropping” event, the thinnest iPhone ever at just 5.6mm. Featuring the powerful A19 Pro chip, 6.6-inch 120Hz OLED display, 48MP camera, and all-new slim design, the iPhone Air replaces the Plus model. Pre-orders start September 12, with global availability from September 19.
iPhone Air: Apple’s Ultra-Thin Revolution Unveiled at the 2025
On September 9, 2025, Apple unveiled its newest innovation at the annual fall hardware showcase held at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California. Under the tagline “Awe Dropping,” the company introduced the iPhone Air, a striking new addition to the iPhone 17 lineup. Positioned as a mid-tier option, the iPhone Air replaces the unpopular Plus model and aims to strike a balance between portability, performance, and design.
With pre-orders beginning on September 12 and availability from September 19 in over 63 countries including the US, UK, India, China, and Japan, the device has already sparked widespread discussion across tech circles and social media platforms.
The iPhone Air is being hailed as Apple’s most significant design overhaul since the iPhone X in 2017. It is the thinnest iPhone ever produced, with Apple emphasizing slimness, elegance, and lightness while packing in premium-level performance and next-generation features. Analysts see this launch as a strategic move to refresh iPhone sales in a maturing market and to set the stage for even bigger innovations, such as the rumored foldable iPhone expected in 2026.
Design and Build: Thinner Than Ever
The standout feature of the iPhone Air is its radical slim profile. At just 5.6mm thick and weighing only 165 grams, it surpasses the iPhone 6’s record thinness of 6.9mm set in 2014. This makes it about 35 percent slimmer than the iPhone 16 and far lighter than the 227g iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple achieved this breakthrough with advanced component stacking and a titanium frame that uses 80 percent recycled materials.
The phone measures approximately 6.5 inches in height, with a 6.6-inch display footprint reminiscent of the older Plus models but in a more compact form. It comes in four elegant finishes: space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue, all featuring a premium matte aesthetic. Protection is ensured by Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which is three times tougher on the front and four times tougher on the back against scratches and drops. As expected, the device carries IP68 water and dust resistance ratings.
Apple has also dropped the physical SIM tray, opting for eSIM-only support. While this improves the design’s seamlessness, it could initially limit availability in regions like China. To complement the ultra-thin build, Apple has introduced a magnetic Crossbody Strap accessory priced at $49 and an optional MagSafe Battery Pack at $99 for added portability and power.
Early impressions describe the iPhone Air as exceptionally light, almost “disappearing in your pocket,” though some reviewers note it feels fragile without a case. Apple recommends thin silicone cases under 1mm thick or matching bumpers.
Display: Smooth and Vibrant
The iPhone Air is equipped with a 6.6-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display featuring ProMotion technology. For the first time, adaptive 120Hz refresh rates are available on non-Pro iPhones, ensuring smoother scrolling, animations, and video playback.
The screen boasts a resolution of 1,290 x 2,790 pixels (458 ppi) and achieves up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, making it one of the brightest displays in its class. Always-On Display, HDR support, thinner bezels, and a smaller Dynamic Island further enhance the viewing experience. While under-display Face ID is still absent, Apple is reportedly working on it for future models.
Reviewers have praised the display quality, noting it rivals even the Pro models. However, its larger size may pose challenges for users with smaller hands when attempting one-handed use.
Performance and Software: Powered by A19 Pro
Under the hood, the iPhone Air shares its core performance with the Pro lineup thanks to the A19 Pro chip built on a 2nm process. Coupled with 12GB of RAM, it provides a significant leap in speed and efficiency compared to the A18 chip of the iPhone 16 series.
The CPU and GPU are 30 percent faster, while the enhanced Neural Engine powers advanced Apple Intelligence features such as real-time translation, smart photo editing, and improved Siri capabilities. Connectivity is also future-proofed, with Apple’s first in-house Wi-Fi 7 chip (N1), Bluetooth 6.0, and the upgraded C1X 5G modem delivering faster, more reliable connections across the globe. Satellite SOS continues to be supported and remains free for another year.
Storage options start at 256GB, eliminating the previous 128GB base model, with configurations going up to 1TB. The device ships with iOS 26, featuring the new “Liquid Glass” interface with translucent menus, rounded controls, and enhanced battery optimization.
Camera System: Simplified but Capable
In pursuit of thinness, Apple has opted for a single-lens rear camera system on the iPhone Air. It features a 48MP Fusion main sensor with optical image stabilization and a 2x telephoto zoom through sensor cropping. Computational photography ensures sharp, vivid results in most conditions, with strong low-light performance and support for 4K video at 120fps and spatial video recording.
The front camera is also upgraded to a 24MP sensor, doubling resolution over its predecessor and improving FaceTime and selfie quality. However, the lack of an ultra-wide lens and the presence of only a single bottom-firing speaker (instead of stereo audio) have drawn criticism from some users.
Battery and Charging: Slim but Efficient
The thin design necessitated a smaller battery, approximately 3,149mAh compared to the iPhone 16 Plus’s 4,323mAh. Nonetheless, Apple claims all-day battery life, offering up to 8 hours of video playback. With denser silicon-anode battery technology and improved efficiency from the A19 Pro, Apple aims to offset the capacity reduction.
Charging speeds include 35W wired via USB-C and 25W MagSafe wireless (Qi2.2 compatible). Apple does not include a charger in the box. Heavy users, especially gamers or 5G streamers, may find the endurance shorter, though the optional MagSafe Battery Pack adds up to 50 percent more charge.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone Air starts at $999 in the US for the 256GB model, with higher tiers priced at $1,099 (512GB) and $1,299 (1TB). International prices include £999 in the UK, ₹99,900 in India, ¥149,800 in Japan, and AED 3,699 in Dubai.
Pre-orders open on September 12 at 5 a.m. PT, with availability from September 19 in primary markets and September 26 in 22 additional regions. Carrier deals, such as T-Mobile’s $700 trade-in offer, and Apple’s own trade-in program provide discounts for upgrading users.
Comparisons and Competition
The iPhone Air sits neatly between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models. Compared to the discontinued Plus variant, it gains a higher refresh rate display and the A19 Pro chip but sacrifices some battery capacity and stereo speakers.
Against competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, the iPhone Air is thinner at 5.6mm versus 5.8mm but lacks the triple-lens versatility and larger battery of Samsung’s flagship.
Overall, the iPhone Air represents a bold new direction for Apple, combining cutting-edge performance with an ultra-thin form factor. While some compromises in camera versatility and battery size are evident, it offers a unique proposition for users seeking elegance, lightness, and premium features in a more portable device.