Apple iPhone Air
Exact average 79.3 · 8 printed, 16 estimated · printed scores only: 82
Image: Apple24 professional reviewers tested the Apple iPhone Air, and 14 recommend it. Most praised: design and picture quality. Most common complaint: price.
Reviewed by Trusted Reviews, Engadget, CNET and 21 more
The catch: Battery life is short and there is only one rear camera.
16 of these 24 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes a score.
What 24 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 90Trusted Reviews
The reviewer loves the ultra-thin design and enjoyable everyday experience, though the single camera is a real compromise.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 86Engadget
A stylish, sturdy and surprisingly long-lasting phone that trades away cameras and speakers for thinness.
Read Engadget review - 86CNET
CNET loves the Air's slim, light and durable design and finds battery better than feared, but the single camera, single speaker, slow charging and $999 price are real compromises.
Read CNET review - 80How-To Geek
After a month of use the reviewer wholeheartedly recommends the Air, finding its lightness, camera and battery work better than expected.
Read How-To Geek review - 80AppleInsider
An extremely thin, light and capable phone that previews Apple's future designs, but its compromises (single speaker, Pro-level pricing) keep it from being a flagship.
Read AppleInsider review - 80PCMag UK
PCMag finds the Air a beautiful, joyful ultra-thin phone, but it sacrifices battery life, camera range and thermals, and most buyers are better off with the iPhone 17.
Read PCMag UK review - 80The Disconnekt
Loves the ultra-slim, light design and finds battery and camera better than expected, but warns about the single lens, high price and that a case ruins its appeal.
Read The Disconnekt review - 70WIRED
Surprisingly good battery life and performance in an extremely thin, light body, but the reviewer says the price is too high and most people should buy the iPhone 17 instead.
Read WIRED review - 89est.The Independent
After a week of testing, the critic finds the Air stylish, durable and better than expected on battery and camera.
Read The Independent review - 83est.Digital Trends
After a week of use the reviewer finds the Air a striking, compromise-laden phone that delivers an unmatched in-hand feel.
Read Digital Trends review - 83est.Tom's Guide
A remarkable piece of engineering that performs well and is very durable, though the high price brings real trade-offs such as a single camera and slow charging.
Read Tom's Guide review - 83est.Android Central
After two weeks as a daily driver, the reviewer finds the design stunning and performance strong, but says the camera, speaker and battery compromises make it a niche device.
Read Android Central review - 83est.SlashGear
After under a week with it, the reviewer finds the phone gorgeous with surprisingly good cameras and would happily keep using it, provided you plan around its short battery life.
Read SlashGear review - 83est.ZDNET
Offers Pro-level performance in the thinnest, lightest iPhone yet at a competitive price, with the trade-offs of one camera, average battery and a single speaker.
Read ZDNET review - 83est.T3
A delightful, lightweight phone with a capable camera and surprisingly decent battery, ideal for the right person.
Read T3 review - 77est.The Strategist
After two weeks the reviewer likes the lighter feel and the capable camera, and finds battery acceptable.
Read The Strategist review - 77est.Good Housekeeping
The reviewer enjoys the light, striking design and the improved selfie camera, but her phone died before the day ended and the camera system is limited.
Read Good Housekeeping review - 77est.TechRadar
Six months in, the reviewer adores the design and feel but is conflicted about recommending it because of weaker battery life and an entry-level camera setup at a high price.
Read TechRadar review - 77est.The Verge
A return visit finds the Air more enjoyable than expected, especially when treated as a modular MagSafe phone.
Read The Verge review - 77est.CNN Underscored
The reviewer admires the light, thin titanium design and solid performance but calls the battery a severe limitation and finds the single camera underwhelming.
Read CNN Underscored review - 71est.Tech Advisor
Enjoyable and beautifully built with a great screen and speed, but the reviewer says weak zoom, poor speakers, slow charging and high cost make it hard to recommend over the iPhone 17.
Read Tech Advisor review - 71est.The Guardian
A remarkable piece of engineering that feels special in the hand, but the reviewer finds the camera and battery cuts too steep for most buyers at this price.
Read The Guardian review - 71est.Expert Reviews
The reviewer admires the design and finds the camera, display and battery better than feared.
Read Expert Reviews review - 66est.Macworld
The reviewer finds the thinness genuinely transformative but says the compromises in camera, battery, speaker and performance add up, so you pay more for less.
Read Macworld review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro90
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Common questions
Is the Apple iPhone Air worth it?
Critics are divided: 14 of 24 recommend it. Battery life is short and there is only one rear camera.
Do critics agree about the Apple iPhone Air?
Broad agreement: scores range from 66 (Macworld) to 90 (Trusted Reviews), a spread of 24 points across 24 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Apple iPhone Air?
Price (13 of 24 reviews), Battery life (10 of 24 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Apple iPhone Air?
The Oppo Find X9 Ultra (critic score 94), best overall.