Apple has taken the wraps off its thinnest iPhone ever, the iPhone Air, marking the company’s most significant design shift in nearly a decade. Launched by CEO Tim Cook at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters, the new device is just 5.6 millimeters thick—narrower than Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge—and represents what many analysts view as an attempt to revive excitement around a lineup some critics had called stagnant. Equipped with Apple’s powerful A19 Pro processor and custom communication chips, the iPhone Air was positioned as both a design statement and a performance-driven handset.
The announcement drew enthusiastic reactions from attendees, with Apple touting the Air’s titanium frame and “ceramic shield” glass for enhanced durability. Tech influencers praised its sleek form factor, noting that despite numerous leaks before the launch, the device still impressed in person. Borrowing its branding from the MacBook Air, famously introduced by Steve Jobs 17 years ago, the iPhone Air appears designed to rekindle Apple’s reputation for cutting-edge, minimalist engineering.
However, the device comes with trade-offs. Unlike the base iPhone 17, which features two cameras, and the Pro models, which include three, the iPhone Air has just a single rear camera. Questions also remain about its battery performance despite Apple’s claim of “all-day life,” as some analysts worry the slimmer design leaves less room for power capacity. Still, Apple’s years of in-house chip development, focused on efficiency, could help address these concerns.
Market watchers predict the Air’s competitive pricing—set $100 below Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge—will drive strong sales, particularly as it replaces the underperforming iPhone Plus, which accounted for roughly 5–7% of Apple’s shipments. Analysts suggest the Air could boost Apple’s performance during the crucial holiday season and help regain ground in China, where slimmer, lower-cost competitors have eroded its market share. Yet some caution that compromises on cameras, audio, and battery may limit its long-term appeal.
Even without major announcements on artificial intelligence features, analysts agree the iPhone Air could reinvigorate Apple’s smartphone segment. As Paolo Pescatore of PP Foresight put it, “In an era where we’ve seen a large degree of sameness, it’s great to see Apple bring a new product to the market. It kind of reinvigorates the whole segment of iPhone.”
