iPhone Air: buyers have to live with these disadvantages

Buyer of the iPhone Air, which comes to German trade on Friday, get the first strongly revised form factor of an Apple cell phone since the iPhone X in 2017. At that time, Apple introduced a full screen with face recognition and camera “notch” (notch), which has now become a Dynamic Island. With the iPhone Air, the device design has now diluted radically: With 5.64 mm, even the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge with its 5.8 mm was beaten. Only foldables are thinner – but they have more space for component distribution and battery. But what disadvantages do you have to accept if you buy the iPhone Air? An overview with six problem areas.

1. shrinked battery

Due to the device size, Apple only has space for a battery with 3149 mAh. Apple states that 27 hours of local video playback – one of the benchmarks that the group uses are possible. An iPhone 17 creates 30 hours, an iPhone 17 per 33 hours and an iPhone 17 Pro even 39 hours. It remains to be seen whether it really creates a full day in practice-also thanks to AI features for economy. The external Magsafe special battery offered by Apple clearly thickens the iPhone Air.

2. Only a camera

Users have to live with the fact that in the back “Camera Plateau” there is not only the majority of the hardware (including A19 Pro), but also only a single rear camera. The iPhone 17 has two, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max even three. Apple emphasizes that one camera has good results over several “virtual” lenses, but of course the unit does not come close to real hardware sensors. Without an ultra-wing lens, architectural photography is less in a mood, and the macromodus is also missing.

3. Restrictions on charging

For thinness reasons, the iPhone Air can only load with a maximum of 20 watts via Magsafe, the VA Qi2.2 possible 25 watts are not reached. On the cable you can charge 50 percent in 30 minutes (with sufficient PD charger), the iPhone 17 Pro can do it in 20 minutes.

4. A19 per reduced

The A19-Pro-Soc, which is surprisingly built into the iPhone Air, is a “binning” variant of the chip system from the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple reduces the number of built -up graphics units (GPUS) from six to five pieces. What this means practically has to be shown. Vapor chamber cooling is also missing due to space reasons. The iPhone Air is also made of titanium and not from the thermally better aluminum. Tests have to show how much gaming performance is in here.

5. restricted USB

Apple has only given the iPhone Air an ancient interface confusingly. Just like with the iPhone 17 (and earlier Apple standard models), only 480 Mbit/s via USB 2 run over the line. This corresponds to technology from 2000 and ensures that hubs and external storage media are extremely lame. What is still understandable with the iPhone 17 is difficult to understand in the expensive air. This is not “Pro Power” (Apple advertising).

6. The price is not airy

After all, you have to ask yourself if you want to afford the air. The thinnest iPhone of all time is not available at a narrow price. At least 1199 euros (US price without sales tax: $ 999) has to be left to start at Apple. 512 TB costs 1449 euros, 1 TB a whopping 1699 euros. In addition, you may still need accessories: for example a cover (Clear case: 55 euros, Bumper: 45 euros) or said Magsafe battery (115 euros).