1. The latest iPhone 17 Air released by Apple is considered its biggest design innovation in eight years, but compromises have been made in battery capacity and camera configuration in pursuit of an ultra-thin body; 2. Analysts predict that the iPhone Air is likely to stimulate a significant number of users to upgrade, boosting Apple's sales during the holiday shopping season and helping the company regain customers in the Chinese market.
According to a report from Financial Association on September 10 (Editor: Bian Chun), at 1:00 AM Beijing time on September 10, $Apple (AAPL.US)$ a fall product launch event themed "Awe Dropping" (Super Exciting Ahead) was held. The star of the event was the iPhone 17 series, with the iPhone 17 Air attracting widespread attention for its unique lightweight design and new positioning.
The iPhone 17 Air is touted as the "thinnest iPhone ever," measuring just 5.6mm thick, thinner than Samsung Electronics' S25 Edge at 5.8mm, and weighing approximately 165g. It features a titanium frame, is equipped with Apple's latest A19 Pro chip, and for the first time globally adopts eSIM technology comprehensively, with a starting price of $999.
As is well known, Apple has faced criticism in recent years for a lack of innovation in product design, and the iPhone 17 Air represents the company's most significant design overhaul in eight years. To some extent, this product is seen as a reflection of CEO Tim Cook's emulation of the company's founder and design genius, Steve Jobs.
Seventeen years ago, Jobs introduced Apple's first MacBook Air, and while unveiling this ultra-thin laptop, he dramatically pulled it out of a Manila envelope to visually demonstrate its portability.
The name and design language of the iPhone Air draw inspiration from this laptop, which may be exactly what Apple fans have longed for over the years: a device that is visually distinct from other products on the market, with every square millimeter embodying exquisite hardware engineering.
However, in pursuit of an ultra-thin body, the iPhone 17 Air has made compromises in battery capacity, camera configuration, and other aspects.
"At the moment it (iPhone 17 Air) was released, I heard enthusiastic applause," said Gaurav Chaudhary, a YouTube influencer known as "Tech Guru" with nearly 24 million followers. He praised the iPhone 17 Air's titanium frame and the ultra-ceramic glass panel, which Apple claims makes the phone more durable.
Chaudhary stated that although he had heard a lot of leaks about the device beforehand, he was still impressed after personally testing it at Apple’s headquarters at the Steve Jobs Theater, though he still wanted to see if the battery life claimed by Apple could hold up.
"I think it’s a good thing to see Apple launching a new product in this era of uniformity. It has, to some extent, revitalized the entire iPhone market," said Paolo Pescatore, an analyst at consulting firm PP Foresight.
Apple claims that the iPhone Air has a full day of battery life, with video playback lasting up to 27 hours, which is a full hour longer than the iPhone 16e.
Ben Bajarin, CEO of technology consulting firm Creative Strategies, stated that confirming whether this phone can achieve the battery life that Apple claims is also crucial. He mentioned that Apple’s custom chips should help, given that the company has spent over a decade designing its own chips with a relentless focus on energy efficiency and size.
Apple’s product launch did not bring any new information regarding artificial intelligence features, which would help the company close the gap with competitors like Google under Alphabet. Google has showcased the capabilities of its Gemini AI technology with its latest flagship phone.
Nevertheless, analysts still indicate that Apple’s next-generation phones, particularly the iPhone Air, may stimulate a significant number of users to upgrade, thereby boosting Apple’s sales during the critical holiday shopping season.
Analysts indicate that this smartphone could help Apple regain customers in the Chinese market. In China, Apple's market share has been eroded by competitors launching thinner and lighter smartphones.
"This represents the pinnacle of smartphone miniaturization," Bajarin stated.
According to IDC data, the pricing of the iPhone Air is positioned at a mid-range level within the iPhone series, being $100 less than the launch price of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. The Galaxy S25 Edge was released earlier this year, with a shipment volume of 1 million units in the second quarter.
Nabila Popal, Senior Research Director of IDC's Global Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker division, stated that this price should make it (iPhone Air) a best-seller. She predicts that the sales of the iPhone Air will perform better, "not only because it is better priced but also because the (iPhone) Plus—essentially the model that Air is set to replace—already accounts for 5-7% of Apple's shipments."
Editor/Doris
