The BRICS TimesiPhone Air replaces Apple’s Plus model in the smartphone lineup.
Apple has officially launched the all-new iPhone Air at its much-awaited ‘Awe Dropping’ event in California on Wednesday. This fresh addition to the company’s lineup takes the place of last year’s iPhone 16 Plus. While it carries the same power as the iPhone 17 series, it brings everything in a far slimmer package. Designed to compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, the iPhone Air stands out in the ultra-thin smartphone segment with a stylish new form factor and the latest Apple Intelligence support.
iPhone Air Price and Availability
The iPhone Air begins at $999 (around Rs. 88,100) for the base variant, which offers 256GB storage. Customers can also choose 512GB and 1TB storage models, each priced higher. Apple is releasing the phone in four finishes: Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White, and Space Black.
In India, pricing starts at Rs. 1,19,900 for the 256GB version, while the 512GB option costs Rs. 1,39,900, and the 1TB variant comes in at Rs. 1,59,900. Pre-orders open on September 12, with deliveries rolling out from September 19.
iPhone Air Features and Specifications
The iPhone Air supports eSIM-only and runs on iOS 26. It features a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with ProMotion technology and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Like the rest of the iPhone 17 range, the display dynamically adjusts from 10Hz to 120Hz for smoother use.
Apple highlights that this is its thinnest iPhone yet, measuring only 5.6mm. Built from 80 percent recycled titanium, it also debuts Ceramic Shield 2 on both front and back, making it reportedly four times stronger against cracks.
Under the hood, the iPhone Air uses the A19 Pro chip found in Pro models. This includes a six-core CPU, six-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The second-generation Dynamic Caching enhances performance and image handling, while Apple Intelligence ensures smarter, faster user experiences.
Connectivity gets a major boost with Apple’s new N1 chip, which powers Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and thread support. Alongside it, the new C1X modem claims to double network speeds while improving efficiency compared to the C1 modem on the iPhone 16e.
For photography, the iPhone Air sports the 48MP Fusion primary camera, featuring sensor-shift OIS, f/1.6 aperture, and 2X telephoto zoom. On the front, it uses the 18MP Centre Stage camera also seen in other iPhone 17 devices.
Although Apple has not shared the exact battery capacity, it assures users of “all-day” power, offering up to 27 hours of video playback. The device supports fast charging, delivering 50 percent charge within 30 minutes.
