Another iPhone launch—has Apple nailed it with the iPhone Air 17?

By Srijith KN

The iPhone Air is the talk of the season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the buzz lasts all year. From the moment I got my hands on it, I’ve been excited. It’s thinner—and that alone makes it a delight to have one! Apple’s past few releases haven’t really excited me, but this design has just clicked! If you look at the journey from the first iPhone to iPhone 6, the devices got thinner with every release. After iPhone 6, Apple started going thicker—and that made sense, since we were in that era where companies were competing to make phones become our primary computers, and they finally succeeded.

The Air has the potential to change that pattern. It brings back the lighter, sleeker feel of the classic old-school phones in a good way without completely sacrificing modernness.

Usability in Daily Life

I’ve been using bigger phones for a while now, and honestly, I’ve even had trouble just pulling them out of my pocket. On top of that, my screen time keeps increasing, and the bigger batteries with all their mAh equations haven’t really helped much. Perhaps that’s why the iPhone Air struck me to put this write-up together. Despite its slim profile, it offers the same battery life as the 16 Pro—which is impressive. Apple claims it’s durable too, thanks to the titanium shell, and I’m willing to bet on that.

Since I’m not a big photographer, I don’t need the massive camera setups. I usually have a cameraman with me for work, so other than snapping a quick photo at the store to check with my wife and some picnic pictures, I really don’t use those big lenses. What I do need is a phone that handles music, calls, and constant calls that keeps my journalism on track—and the Air fits that bracket perfectly.

Performance & Features

The iPhone 17 Air runs on the A19 chip. Heavy gamers probably shouldn’t look elsewhere, but for everyday tasks and anything more than that, it’s flawless. And if you pick up the magnetic power battery attachment, perhaps your battery anxiety will be gone as well.

The Pro has its advantages—a bigger camera lens, a larger battery, and a new cooling chamber—but it’s chunky. The Air, on the other hand, strikes a balance between practicality and aesthetics.

The Verdict

Here’s the bottom line: the Air is gorgeous, lightweight, and fun to use. Yes, it’s compromised—a smaller battery, one less camera—but it delivers exactly what it promises. For those who want power and tech-heavy features, the iPhone 17 Pro is the answer. But for anyone who values aesthetics, a minimalist feel, and a premium outlook in a lighter, smaller package, the Air is the smarter choice.

If you’re tired of carrying heavy devices and don’t care about the extra tech YouTubers hype, the iPhone Air 17 makes perfect sense as the Apple device to get right now.

Quick Take Rating

Everyday Usability: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Design: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Performance: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Battery Life: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Camera: ★★★★☆ (4/5)