iPhone Air 2025 Review: A Thin, Premium, Yet Controversial Device

iPhone Air, as one of Apple’s controversial and highly anticipated products for the fall of 2025, instantly became the center of attention due to its ultra-thin design. Upon first-hand experience, the 5.6mm thickness of the device is truly visually striking—compared to the 8.25mm thickness of the regular iPhone 17, it’s nearly half as thin. Weighing just 165g, the "weightlessness" is perceptible. The titanium-polished metal frame, combined with the glass back panel, enhances the overall quality, while the curved edge transitions relieve the cold, rigid feel of the metal, making one-handed use effortless. However, this lightness comes with compromises: the bottom speaker is removed, leaving only the top earpiece; the physical SIM card slot is completely gone, replaced by eSIM only; and the battery capacity is reduced to 3149mAh. Officially, Apple claims that with the A19 Pro chip’s efficiency and its self-developed C1 baseband chip, the battery can last up to 27 hours of video playback, though users’ real-world experience still leaves some room for battery anxiety.

Color options are an important element for expressing personality. Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue, and Deep Space Black all offer subtle differences: the three light-colored glass backs refract a crystal-clear look under the light, with Sky Blue's soft pastel hue being particularly eye-catching. Deep Space Black, on the other hand, adopts a matte finish, distinguishing it from the Pro series' glossy glass. Apple’s attention to detail is evident, such as the seamless integration of the metal frame color with the back panel on the Sky Blue model, and the matte finish on the Light Gold version that resembles luxury watch aesthetics through multi-layer coating.

The controversial horizontal track-style single camera module proves to be a clever design in practical use. The 48MP main sensor, using multi-frame synthesis and AI algorithms, can produce photos equivalent to a 26mm wide-angle and 52mm portrait focal length. Though lacking an ultra-wide-angle lens, the new "Pearl Photography Style" significantly improves the previously harsh skin tones of iPhone photos. The shooting interface optimizes the UI layout for both horizontal and vertical grips, and the square sensor automatically crops the image in either orientation without needing to rotate the phone. However, full-size square output functionality is limited by optical restrictions. For video, it supports 4K at 60fps with Dolby Vision, but for professional creators, the lack of ProRes format and 8K shooting capability limits its use to the "adequate" level.

The accessory ecosystem offers more possibilities for this ultra-thin model. The official 0.95mm ultra-thin MagSafe case retains the feel of the titanium metal frame while adding negligible thickness. The hollow frame case, humorously dubbed "the most restrained sense of ceremony" by users, balances minimalist aesthetics with functionality. Notably, for the first time, Apple has included symmetrical lanyard holes in all its phone cases and introduced a magnetic woven lanyard with a magnetic structure that prevents tangling after the two magnetic components are attached, though its $50 price tag remains high.

In durability tests, Apple’s lab data shows its bend strength reaches 59kg, and the combination of the titanium metal frame and ceramic glass improves drop resistance compared to previous models. However, teardown videos reveal potential structural issues: the single speaker layout, the space left by removing the physical SIM slot, which was not used to increase battery capacity, and the compact motherboard stacking, while a feat of industrial design, raise concerns about heat dissipation efficiency. The pricing structure positions the Air in the high-end market, with a starting price of $999, which is $200 more than the standard version, yet it doesn’t pose a significant threat to the Pro series’ core experience. This unclear positioning may explain some of the difficulties in its launch. As the first users' feedback suggests, this is a device that immediately catches the eye, yet one must repeatedly weigh its practicality.