Why the iPhone 17 Pro Outshines the New iPhone Air
Apple’s thinnest phone ever, the iPhone Air, may win points for design — but it’s the iPhone 17 Pro that feels built for the long haul. Here’s why.
When Apple unveiled the 5.6mm-thick iPhone Air, the crowd’s jaws dropped. At less than half a centimeter in depth, it’s Apple’s sleekest phone yet, taking clear aim at Samsung’s ultra-slim Galaxy S25 Edge. Thinness, once again, is the headline feature.
But here’s the truth: thin doesn’t always mean better.
The Problem With Going Thin
The iPhone Air replaces Apple’s Plus-sized model and ships with the same A19 Pro chip and Ceramic Glass 2 durability as the iPhone 17 Pro. On paper, that’s impressive. In practice, though, its sacrifices are glaring.
- Battery Life: Apple rates it at up to 27 hours — a step back from the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max, and far behind the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 39 hours.
- Cameras: A single rear camera, with no ultrawide or macro options, limits versatility. Apple’s “optical quality” zoom feels more like clever software than true optics.
- Grip: Ultra-thin phones have a slippery history, usually requiring a case that negates their design advantage.
In short, the iPhone Air feels like style over substance.
Why the iPhone 17 Pro Wins
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, on the other hand, balance design with power.
- Design: A new unibody aluminum frame, available in Cosmic Orange, feels both bold and premium. The pronounced “plateau” camera bump leans into function rather than hiding it.
- Performance: A new vapor-cooling system with deionized water should fix the heat issues of past Pro models.
- Battery: With up to 39 hours of life, Apple’s thicker design decision pays off in usability.
- Cameras: A triple-lens system with true telephoto zoom puts the Pro models in another league compared to the Air.
Final Takeaway
The iPhone Air is not a bad phone — it brings premium features like ProMotion displays, Ceramic Shield 2 glass, and the new Action Button. For some, its feather-light design will be irresistible.
But if you want a phone that truly does it all, the iPhone 17 Pro is where Apple’s real innovation shines. Thin might be in, but power and endurance win the long game.
