Table of Contents
Highlights.
- The “awe-dropping” Apple Event of 2025 was not just about showcasing new products to the public; it was about making a statement.
- The iPhone 17 Air embodies Apple’s philosophy of pushing boundaries and proves that they are not afraid to make sacrifices.
- With this major release, the iPhone 17 Air is not just a phone; it is a lifestyle statement.
September has been an eventful month for Apple enthusiasts, with the company showing off its latest devices during the Apple Event. On the 9th of September, 2025, Apple officially drew the curtain on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and the brand-new iPhone 17 Air. Along with this, they also brought updates to the Apple Watch with the Series 11, Watch SE, and Ultra.
Apple seems to be officially repositioning its “Plus” model by replacing it with “Air,” a slimmer, lighter, and more stylish device that promises elegance without the bulk of its Pro siblings. At first glance, it feels like a design marvel, but the question lingers: has Apple gone too far in its pursuit of thinness?
A Bold Step in Design and Build
The iPhone 17 Air stands out immediately among the rest. At just 5.6 millimeters thick, it is Apple’s thinnest iPhone till date. A recycled titanium frame makes it sturdy, yet gives it a build that is as light as a feather. This decision reinforces Apple’s push towards sustainability, all while delivering a premium, light, and incredibly comfortable finish.
A major decision that stands out among the rest is the complete removal of the physical SIM tray. The Air is eSIM-only, a direction the company has taken in order to fulfill long-term plans for a seamless, port-free device.
For Indian consumers, this means relying entirely on telecom providers that support eSIM activation, which most major carriers like Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) already do. Still, for some users, especially those who frequently swap SIM cards while travelling, the lack of a physical slot may feel restrictive.
Specifications That Balance Style and Power
Despite its slim form, Apple has managed to equip the iPhone Air with an impressive set of specifications. It features a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display, delivering vibrant colors, high brightness, and fluid motion through Apple’s ProMotion technology. With a display that seems to stretch nearly from edge to edge, the device gives off a futuristic aesthetic while still having the practicality of a comfortable grip.
In terms of photography, rather than chasing triple-lens setups, Apple went with it what it calls a dual-fusion system. The 17 Air makes use of 48 MP rear main camera, which is backed up primarily by the amazingly powerful A19 Pro chip, Apple’s most powerful chip to date.
On paper, this sounds like a modest idea, but Apple’s image processing has long been its strong suit, and the Air seems no exception. Up front, an 18 MP center stage camera ensures that the device remains on par with the rest of the lineup in terms of selfies and video calls.
A Possible Trade-Off?
With such a slim profile, battery life was always going to be the Achilles’ heel. Reports suggest that the iPhone 17 Air comes with a battery size of about 3,000 mAh, which may be considered significantly low by modern standards. To offset this, Apple has leaned heavily on its battery technology and the efficiency of the A19 Pro chip. Officially, Apple claims up to 27 hours of video playback, which is respectable but falls short when compared to numbers held by its siblings.
For everyday users, this means that the iPhone Air should comfortably last a day under moderate use; heavy users may need to charge it more than once in 24 hours. Considering some users have long commutes, frequent streaming, and growing mobile gaming trends, this could be a significant consideration for buyers.
iPhone 17 Air Price for Indian Users
Apple has priced the iPhone 17 Air starting at around 1,19,900 INR, which firmly places it in the premium category but below the iPhone 17 Pro, which begins at around 1,34,900 INR. The broader iPhone 17 lineup ranges from 82,900 INR for the base model to upwards of 1,49,900 for the top-end Pro Max.
Pricing makes the Air particularly interesting, as it carves out a middle ground. It seems to be more aspirational than the base iPhone 17, but it does not enter into the steep category of the Pro models. With Apple leaning heavily on trade-ins, EMIs, and financing in India, the Air could appeal strongly to younger professionals who want a flagship device without potentially tipping into Pro pricing.
The iPhone 17: Core of the Lineup
While the iPhone 17 Air stole the show in terms of design, the standard iPhone 17 represents Apple’s “default” flagship. Sporting a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, the same A19 chip, and a dual-camera setup combining a 48 MP main sensor with an ultra-wide lens, it brings with it a well-packaged yet default smartphone. Apple has also made improvements to its Night Mode and computational photography, making this model an excellent choice as an all-rounder for everyday use.
The Pro model also targets power users and enthusiasts. It features Apple’s most advanced A19 Pro chip, a ProMotion display capable of 120 Hz, and a triple-camera system including a telephoto lens with improved zoom. Apple has also leaned harder on Apple Intelligence features, giving this version access to more powerful AI-driven tools. Battery endurance is also a strong point, with Apple claiming up to 31 hours of video playback on the Pro model and 37 hours on the Pro Max.
Beyond the iPhone
Outside the smartphone lineup, Apple also rolled out quite an impressive list of upgrades. These may not have been as headline-grabbing as the iPhone 17 Air, but they do represent meaningful upgrades to the wearable ecosystem.
The Apple Watch Series 11, for example, does not reinvent itself but trims out the design, with the most notable improvement being the integration of a new system in a the package. This brings faster performance and better efficiency, meaning smoother operation without sacrificing battery life. The Series 11 also expands Apple’s health-tracking capabilities, particularly in women’s health and cardiovascular monitoring, showing the company’s strategy of positioning the Watch as both a fitness and medical companion.
For those looking for an entry-level option, the Apple Watch SE 3 was also introduced. It retains the familiar design language but updates the internals for faster performance, all while keeping the price point more accessible. In India, this model could appeal strongly to younger consumers and first-time smartwatch buyers, especially as health and fitness tracking gain popularity among urban and semi-urban audiences.
At the top of the line sits the Apple Watch Ultra 3, designed for adventure seekers and professionals who need rugged hardware. It carries forward the robust titanium casing, high water resistance, and extreme durability of previous Ultras but introduces a brighter display and extended battery life.
Meanwhile, the audio segment also received attention with the launch of the AirPods Pro 3. Apple has subtly reengineered the iconic earbuds, enhancing their sound quality, reducing latency, and improving Adaptive Audio features. Noise cancellation has been further refined, and battery life has been extended – small but meaningful changes that make the daily listening experience more seamless.
The Galaxy S25 Edge Rivalry
No discussion of Apple’s latest device would be complete without addressing its biggest competitor. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, launched earlier this year, also champions an ultra-thin design. At 5.8 millimeters thick, it comes close to Apple’s slim benchmark. Samsung, however, has taken a different route. Its Edge model features a 6.7-inch display, a dual-camera system with a 200 MP primary sensor, and a 3,900 mAh battery.
While Samsung’s larger battery seems like an advantage, reviews suggest that its real-world endurance only delivers about a full day of use, similar to what Apple is offering. The difference is that Samsung relies heavily on Galaxy AI features, integrating tools like real-time translation, AI note summarization, and enhanced photo editing, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.
Ultra-Thin, Ultra-Ambitious iPhone Air
Apple’s September 2025 showcase lived up to its billing as an “awe-dropping” event, not just because of the dazzling new iPhone 17 Air, but because it marked a bold turning point in how Apple envisions the smartphone future. Apple has also priced the iPhone 17 Air at a point that makes it aspirational but within reach of a growing premium audience. The story of the new iPhone Air is not simply about thinness. It is about Apple testing the boundaries of what consumers are willing to sacrifice for beauty and innovation.
Some will embrace it as the perfect blend of performance and design. Others will stick with thicker, more enduring models. But either way, the conversation it sparks shows that Apple has succeeded once again in shaping the direction of the smartphone industry.
