iPhone Air Review (One Month Later): Real-World Usage from a Pro Max User

From Pro Max to Air — The Tradeoff

Moving from the Pro Max’s big screen to the smaller display of the iPhone Air made me nervous at first, but honestly — the difference barely feels noticeable in daily use. What really stands out is how thin and light this phone is. And here’s the part that surprised me the most — the honeymoon phase never ended. A lot of people online say the excitement wears off after a few days or a week. But even after a full month, every morning I pick it up and still feel that “wow” factor. It feels futuristic — not just thin, but next-gen. Compared to my other phone (the Z Fold 7, which is also thin), the Air just disappears in your pocket and yet feels sturdy enough to use confidently without a case. I haven’t dropped it once — it’s solid, not slippery, and built surprisingly well for something this light.

The Speaker Surprise

I was initially worried about the iPhone Air having only one speaker, but it hasn’t been an issue. I use it a lot for speakerphone calls, and while my Pro Max mainly used the bottom speaker, the Air uses the top one — the experience feels the same. For media like TikToks, Instagram Reels, and YouTube, sound is still clear and full enough. I often use it during my morning routine or light workouts, and it performs well. Dual speakers would’ve been nice, but for my daily use, this setup works perfectly fine.

Portability & Comfort

The biggest win is the in-pocket experience. The iPhone Air sometimes feels like it's not even there. I’ve been using it without a case and haven’t dropped it once. It’s not slippery, and the build feels sturdy in hand.

Battery & Heat

Battery life is average. I start at 100% and end the day with around 5%, but my usage is light (WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram). If you’re a power user, you’ll need a midday top-up. I did notice the phone heats up a bit more than my Pro Max when many apps are running.

Camera Downgrades?

I did notice the need for the ultra-wide lens occasionally, especially when I had to step back just to fit everything into the frame. The lack of macro also shows up a bit when taking close-up shots — I found myself zooming in after the fact to fill in the gap. That said, for a regular user like me, these aren’t dealbreakers. The main camera still holds its own in most situations, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out in daily use.

eSIM Life

The iPhone Air supports eSIM only — no physical SIM tray — but that hasn’t caused any issues for me. I’ve been using it in Canada and also while traveling abroad without any trouble. You can store up to 8 eSIM profiles on the device and activate 2 at the same time, making it super convenient to switch between carriers directly from the settings without needing to contact them each time. For most users, this setup is more than enough and future-proofs the phone for travel and dual-line use.

Overall Thoughts

If you’re looking for something *different* — something light, futuristic, and minimal — the iPhone Air is a joy to use. While it’s not for power photographers or gamers, for everyday social media, calls, and web use, it offers a refreshing Apple experience.

iPhone 17 vs 17 Air vs 17 Pro/Pro Max (Quick Table)

Who Should Buy iPhone Air?

• You want something light, futuristic, and minimalist
• You don’t use zoom/macro lenses daily
• You rely heavily on Bluetooth audio
• You travel often and want multiple eSIM options
• You’re tired of phones that all feel the same