iPhone Air Review: Apple’s Slimmest iPhone Is A Design Triumph With Tradeoffs

Apple introduced iOS 26 alongside the iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 models. This new OS version, which replaces iOS 18 (yes, that numbering change is odd), has been controversial primarily because of Liquid Glass, Apple’s new software design language inspired by visionOS, the OS used on the Vision Pro XR headset. Some folks love the new UI’s liberal use of transparency, others hate it. Personally, I’m fine with it.

iPhone Air Software, User Experience And Apple Intelligence

To be specific, the iPhone Air runs iOS 26.0.1, which is currently the latest version. In terms of functionality, iOS 26 generally follows in iOS 18’s footsteps, but obviously gains a bunch of new features. Ditto Apple Intelligence, which learns a few new tricks. Before I highlight what’s new, I suggest you read my iPhone 16e review to get a feel for what iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence have brought to the table so far.
Here’s a list of new features in iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence:

• Visual Intelligence helps you learn and do more with what’s on your screen. You can add calendar events, summarize text, or search visually across Google and other apps. It’s accessed with the same button combination used to take a screenshot.
• Live Translation lets you communicate across languages in the Messages, FaceTime, and Phone apps. This feature automatically translates incoming texts, translates video calls with live captions, and translates phone conversations out loud for the person on the other end of the line.
• Shortcuts, which are powered by Apple Intelligence, now include intelligent actions that allow you to create more powerful automations. You can build workflows that summarize text, create images with Image Playground, or use Apple Intelligence models to speed up your tasks.
• Genmoji allows you to create brand-new emoji by combining your favorite emoji with written descriptions. You can also personalize Genmoji inspired by friends and family, with options to customize the hairstyle to match their latest look.
• Image Playground provides more control over images inspired by people, with options to change their expressions to match the moment. You can also use ChatGPT for more creative styles.
• The Phone app has been updated with a unified layout that combines favorites, recents, and voicemails. New features include Call Screening for unknown numbers and Hold Assist, which keeps your spot in line when a business puts you on hold. These call features are similar to what Google’s been offering on Pixel phones for a few years now, and are super helpful.
• The Messages app lets you personalize your chats with stunning new backgrounds that bring conversations to life. You can also send polls to friends and family over iMessage and watch the votes come in live, and new screening tools help minimize spam.
• Apple Maps is now smarter and more personalized, learning your frequent routes to alert you of significant delays before you leave. It also remembers the places you visit with the Visited Places feature, allowing for easy access later.
• Apple Music introduces AutoMix, which intelligently transitions between songs like a DJ. Lyrics Translation and Lyrics Pronunciation help you understand and sing along to your favorite songs, and you can now pin music to the top of your library for quick access.
• Apple Wallet now refreshes boarding passes with Live Activities, and Apple Pay now supports rewards and installments in physical stores. Order tracking has been upgraded with Apple Intelligence, and a future update will allow you to present a Digital ID at TSA checkpoints.
• Gaming is improved with a new Games app. MetalFX frame Interpolation provides smoother gameplay, while the new Game Overlay lets you adjust settings or chat with friends without leaving your game.

It’s worth noting that Apple Intelligence doesn’t store any personal data and runs primarily on-device or in the cloud using Apple’s Private Cloud Compute. Like its predecessors, the iPhone Air is free of pre-installed bloatware, and is expected to receive seven to eight years of security updates and OS upgrades. While Apple doesn’t have an official policy for this, it has typically supported other iPhones for that long in the past.

iPhone Air Review: Summary And Top Takeaways

I’ve been using the iPhone Air for over a month, and the wow-factor hasn't worn off. Apple’s 5.6mm thin smartphone still feels ultra slick and futuristic, and it delivers a gorgeous display, excellent cameras, and solid performance. Battery life is hampered by that small battery, but it’s not the showstopper I expected it to be. And while iOS 26 with Liquid Glass may be more polarizing than ever, Apple’s rich software ecosystem remains unmatched.

Ultimately, despite making compromises in camera versatility and battery life, this phone is a design masterpiece that’s greater than the sum of its parts.