Apple has introduced the iPhone Air, a new model designed to combine performance and portability in a record-thin form factor. At 5.6 millimetres thick and weighing 165 grams, it is the thinnest and lightest iPhone to date.
Initial expectations were that it would be called the iPhone 17 Air, but Apple has positioned it as a standalone product.
The frame is made from aerospace-grade titanium, produced using 80% recycled material, and reinforced with Ceramic Shield glass on both the front and back.
According to Apple, the front glass offers three times more scratch resistance, while the back provides four times better crack resistance than previous models.
The iPhone Air is powered by the A19 Pro chip. It features a six-core CPU, a five-core GPU, and neural accelerators built into every core, delivering up to three times the graphics performance of its predecessor.
This makes the device suitable for demanding applications such as advanced gaming and on-device artificial intelligence models.
Networking hardware includes the new N1 wireless chip with support for Wi Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. A new C1X modem provides up to twice the cellular download speeds while operating more efficiently.
Apple has also removed the physical SIM slot entirely, making the iPhone Air an eSIM-only device worldwide.
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The display is a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with ProMotion technology. It offers an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, peak brightness of 3000 nits, and support for HDR, wide color, and Always On functionality.
The screen also incorporates Dynamic Island and delivers a contrast ratio of two million to one.
Battery life has been a focus despite the compact design. Apple claims the iPhone Air can last up to 27 hours of video playback. A new MagSafe battery pack can extend usage to as much as 40 hours. Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26 further optimizes energy efficiency.
The camera system is simplified compared to other models in the lineup. It includes a 48 MP Fusion main sensor with a larger aperture and optical image stabilization. The front camera is an 18 MP unit with Centre Stage and support for dual recording.
Storage options are 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB. The phone carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance and is available in four colors: Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, and Space Black.
The iPhone Air is priced at $999 (about KES 130,000), and sits between the standard and Pro models in Apple’s lineup. Preorders open on September 12, with availability starting September 19.
