In its ongoing quest to surprise consumers and keep the technological conversation alive, Apple has unveiled the iPhone Air, a strikingly slim addition to its smartphone lineage. This latest model pushes the boundaries of industrial design, arriving at an almost improbable thickness of just 5.6 millimeters. Despite its ultrathin profile, the device still houses an expansive 6.5-inch ProMotion display, which promises fluid responsiveness and exceptional visual clarity. Apple has also equipped the iPhone Air with a 48-megapixel dual-lens camera for advanced photography, a selfie camera that supports Center Stage for better video calls, and an optional MagSafe battery accessory for users willing to extend its endurance. Collectively, these features signal Apple’s continuous attempt to merge elegance with capability, even if critics remain deeply divided over whether thinness enhances or diminishes practicality.
To gauge immediate reactions, the editorial staff at *The Verge* was asked to share their unfiltered first impressions of Apple’s latest experiment. While a comprehensive review will naturally follow once the device has been tested thoroughly, these early opinions offer a telling preview of how technology enthusiasts perceive Apple’s design priorities. On a logistical note, Apple has set preorders to open on Friday, September 12th, with shipping commencing on September 19th, leaving potential buyers with only a brief period to decide whether this ultra-slim iPhone is a necessary upgrade or merely a design curiosity.
Thomas Ricker, deputy editor, initiated the discussion with a candid observation: the iPhone Air is certainly graceful in form, yet its extreme thinness raises functional concerns. He admitted that, like many users, he encases his phone in a bulky protective case, which almost entirely negates the benefit of a slimmer body. In his view, unless one is brave enough to carry such a delicate device without any case at all, the practical advantage vanishes, especially given the inevitable reliance on Apple’s new $99 MagSafe Air battery accessory which ironically thickens the phone again.
Barbara Krasnoff, reviews editor, chimed in with a comparison to her own Google Pixel 6, a device that feels notably heavier in pocket and requires a durable case. To her, the lightweight nature of the iPhone Air, weighing just 5.8 ounces, sounded appealing, as it might alleviate the daily irritation of carrying a heavier phone. Yet she, too, acknowledged the compromise: once the MagSafe battery is attached, the supposed advantage of the Air’s minimal weight rapidly diminishes.
Antonio G. Di Benedetto, reviewer, was more forthright in his criticism, expressing frustration at Apple’s return to what he called the “cult of thinness.” He cited the example of Apple’s MacBook era, when the obsessive pursuit of slim laptops led to shallow, unreliable keyboards — a design gamble that cost Apple both credibility and millions in legal settlements. Later models corrected course with slightly thicker builds that restored functionality and durability. For him, repeating such design missteps with the iPhone demonstrates a worrying lack of corporate memory.
Todd Haselton, deputy editor of reviews and commerce, emphasized the importance of battery life above all else. He has traditionally favored the Pro Max models precisely because of their extended endurance. While Apple describes the iPhone Air’s power as “all-day,” he expressed skepticism, claiming his current Pro Max occasionally struggles to last an entire day. In his words, the Air may not even last through “brunch.” Still, with tongue-in-cheek resignation, he admitted he might ultimately cave, purchase the Air, and supplement it with the battery pack, letting desire override practicality.
Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor, found humor and irony in Apple’s marketing tactics. He noted the company’s emphasis on video playback hours as a benchmark for battery longevity, which feels outdated when modern usage leans more toward varied multitasking. More amusing to him was Apple’s manner of promoting battery life *in combination with* an attached accessory, which he likened to breakfast cereal nutrition labels that claim health benefits only when paired with milk.
Jess Weatherbed, news writer, expressed disappointment over Apple’s decision to discontinue the “Plus” variant of the iPhone 17 base model, as she prefers larger devices that feel more comfortable in her hands. Although the iPhone Air’s 6.5-inch display may serve as a spiritual replacement, she found herself more drawn to the advanced features and compelling colors of the Pro Max edition. Nonetheless, she conceded that the lightweight Air would undoubtedly appeal to users weary of carrying a heavy, brick-sized phone.
Emma Roth, another news writer, expressed hesitancy with the iPhone Air’s external appearance — specifically its pill-shaped camera bar. Unlike Google’s Pixel 10, which normalizes its horizontal camera bump, Apple’s design consolidates its dual-camera setup into this unusual strip, leaving a vivid black lens standing out sharply from the body. For Roth, the aesthetic resemblance to a science-fiction character’s visor proved distracting and difficult to embrace.
Jay Peters, senior reporter, highlighted a purely visual attraction: the new Sky Blue color reminiscent of Apple’s recent MacBook Air lineup. While he admitted that specific Pro models better suit his functional needs, he remained open to being swayed by the Air’s premium aesthetics when experiencing it firsthand.
Editor-at-Large David Pierce took a broader view, arguing that the iPhone Air might carry greater significance than its outward design suggests. He speculated that much of the engineering Apple devoted to strengthening the Air’s durability, rethinking its component structure, and implementing the updated Ceramic Shield 2 material may foreshadow elements critical to Apple’s future ambitions, such as foldable or radically new phone formats. For him, the Air could be seen less as an endpoint and more as a transitional product, paving the way for breakthroughs yet to come.
Cameron Faulkner, commerce editor, expanded on Pierce’s speculation by pointing out Apple’s internal “plateau” redesign — a rearrangement of camera modules, speakers, and silicon in a contained space above the battery. This compartmentalization, he suggested, provides a tangible glimpse into how Apple might eventually craft foldable phones, where thinness and internal organization are vital.
Collectively, these perspectives highlight a complex tension: Apple is boldly presenting the iPhone Air as both stylistically striking and technologically refined, yet its uncompromising slimness forces practical sacrifices that many users must weigh carefully. Marketing brilliance aside, the ultimate verdict will depend on whether consumers prioritize beauty and futuristic design over more utilitarian desires such as durability and enduring battery performance.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/tech/774831/iphone-air-apple-reactions-thin-camera
