At a time when smartphones have grown predictable, even dull, Apple has managed to spring a surprise like no other. Defying persistent rumours about weak battery life and underwhelming processing power, the iPhone Air emerges as nothing less than a marvel of modern engineering. At just 5.6mm thin, it represents a bold reimagining of the smartphone’s internal architecture. Every component had to be reconsidered and redesigned to create a device that is not only breathtakingly slim but also reassuringly sturdy. This is one of those rare products that truly must be experienced to be believed.

Slender and strong

Note: Apple is not calling this phone the “iPhone 17 Air.” Instead, it is simply the iPhone Air — a subtle but deliberate nod to how the company envisions this new family member.
For years — nearly half a decade — Apple adhered to a single design philosophy. That era has come to an end. When the iPhone Air was unveiled at Apple Park, reactions in the audience made it clear this was a generational shift. A journalist from Japan could hardly believe what he was seeing, to the point that he instinctively reached for his wallet, fumbling with four credit cards at once, and then, almost comically, pulling out another. Meanwhile, a journalist from Europe pressed her finger against the edge of the device, only to find the phone defying every expectation of what such thinness should allow.

We live in the age of Ozempic, when “slender” has become a cultural buzzword, and the iPhone Air seems perfectly timed for the moment. Yet thinness here does not mean fragility. In a video demonstration, the phone was subjected to gradual pressure applied directly to its center. At 25 kilograms of force, the phone flexed into a curved position. And then, almost impossibly, it returned to its original state — flat as the floor in one’s home — once the pressure was released.

This resilience comes from materials engineering as much as design. The back of the iPhone Air is fortified with Ceramic Shield, while the front debuts Ceramic Shield 2, which provides three times better scratch resistance than before. The result is the thinnest iPhone ever produced, and at the same time, one of the most durable.

Display and camera

The iPhone Air carries a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display that supports ProMotion up to 120Hz, ensuring every swipe, scroll, and animation feels smooth and vivid.

While at first glance the single rear camera might appear underwhelming, appearances are deceiving. The 48MP Fusion Camera System actually provides the equivalent of four lenses in one. The new custom main lens supports both 28mm and 35mm focal lengths, offering greater creative flexibility.

The 2.0um quad-pixel sensor with sensor-shift OIS excels in low-light conditions, capturing sharp details where most phones falter. For those who want more reach, the optical-quality 2x telephoto — powered by an updated Photonic Engine — delivers images that are rich in colour and striking in detail.

In other words, the iPhone Air camera system is not about how many lenses are visible on the back. It is about what those lenses can do.

iPhone Air comes with a powerful 48MP Fusion camera system that works like multiple advanced cameras in one. Shoot in super-high‑resolution 48MP for ultimate detail or 24MP by default, or use the built‑in 2x telephoto to zoom in with exceptionally clear quality

Power of A19 Pro, C1X, and N1

Weighing just 165 grams, the iPhone Air is deceptively light for the power it holds.

Many assumed that since the iPhone Air effectively replaces the iPhone Plus, Apple would use a modest, entry-level chip. But in a move few anticipated — not even so-called “leakers” — Apple fitted the Air with the A19 Pro, the fastest chip available in any smartphone.

The A19 Pro’s 6-core CPU delivers major gains in both performance and efficiency, making everyday tasks lightning fast while conserving energy. The 5-core GPU boasts a new architecture that elevates mobile gaming to console-like levels, even enabling demanding AAA titles. Apple has also built Neural Accelerators into each GPU core, resulting in three times the peak GPU compute power compared with the previous generation — particularly valuable for running generative AI models directly on the device.

And Apple did not stop at the processor. Earlier this year, the company unveiled its first in-house modem, the C1. With the iPhone Air, Apple pushes further ahead with the C1X, a cellular modem designed entirely by Apple. The company claims it is up to twice as fast as the C1, and even faster than the modem inside the iPhone 16 Pro, while consuming 30 per cent less energy overall. That makes the C1X not just faster, but also the most power-efficient modem in any iPhone.

There is more. The iPhone Air also introduces the N1, Apple’s new wireless networking chip. Supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, the N1 enhances everyday features such as Personal Hotspot and AirDrop, making them faster and more reliable.

Taken together, the C1X and N1 give Apple unparalleled control over how the iPhone connects and communicates. They also make possible the radical thinness of the iPhone Air—something that would have been impossible without this deep integration of hardware and design.

eSIM: The new standard

The iPhone Air adopts an eSIM-only design worldwide. This is more than a design decision—it is a statement about the future of connectivity.

First, the removal of the physical SIM tray frees up valuable internal space, which Apple has redirected to the battery, giving the phone greater endurance. Second, eSIM offers a higher level of security. When a phone is stolen, the first thing thieves usually do is discard the SIM card. With eSIM, that avenue is closed.

Yes, there are some regional quirks. In India, for instance, activation may take a few minutes, and during the first 24 hours, SMS services can be delayed. But once active, the experience is seamless.

The convenience of eSIM cannot be overstated. It is already supported by over 500 carriers worldwide and is available across more than 200 countries. For frequent travelers, this means simple, affordable connectivity—whether through international roaming plans from a home carrier or through quick local prepaid options.

One more thing
Even with its ultra-thin frame and cutting-edge chip, the iPhone Air manages to deliver all-day battery life—a feat that continues to elude many Android manufacturers.

This endurance is further enhanced by iOS 26’s new Adaptive Power Mode, which learns a user’s charging and usage habits, anticipates moments of heavy drain, and proactively manages resources to extend power just when it is most needed.

And of course, the iPhone Air arrives with iOS 26 out of the box. The standout feature is the Liquid Glass design, which makes system animations more expressive, apps more immersive, and the overall experience more visually fluid than ever before.

At a glance

Device: iPhone Air

Price: ₹119,900 (256GB)

Beautiful accessories: The iPhone Air Case with MagSafe has an ultra-thin translucent design with a lightly frosted interior, a high-gloss outer surface, and a reinforced polycarbonate frame to protect iPhone Air from scratches and drops. Then there is the Crossbody Strap made from 100 per cent recycled yarns. It will be available in 10 colours: black, light gray, blue, light blue, purple, sienna, green, neon yellow, tan, and orange. Further, the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery has a thin and light design that seamlessly attaches to the back of the device.

(The reporter is in Cupertino on an invitation from Apple)