iPhone Air launched at $999: 5.6 mm thin, 120...

Apple unveils the ultra-slim iPhone Air—5.6 mm thin, 6.5-inch 120 Hz display, A19 Pro chip, new camera tricks, eSIM-only, and $999 starting price. Preorders this week.

Key takeaways

Ultra-slim design: just 5.6 mm thick and around 165 g, Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet.

Display: 6.5-inch OLED with ProMotion 120 Hz and up to 3,000 nits peak brightness.

Performance & connectivity: A19 Pro processor, new C1-series modem, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6; Thread support for smart-home accessories.

Cameras: 48 MP “dual-fusion” main + telephoto setup, 18 MP selfie, dual-camera (front+rear) video capture.

Battery: Apple claims all-day use and up to 27 hrs video playback (40 hrs with optional MagSafe pack).

eSIM-only: no physical SIM—global eSIM across the lineup expands this year.

Price & dates: starts $999 (256 GB); preorders Sept 12, sales Sept 19; available in black, white, beige, light blue.

What is iPhone Air—and where it sits in the 2025 lineup

Apple has added a fourth model to the iPhone 17 family, positioned as a design-first flagship that replaces the Plus-class phone with a much slimmer frame. Apple and first-look reports describe it as the thinnest iPhone ever, aimed at users who want Pro-level smoothness and premium build without the Pro Max’s size or the Ultra-zoom camera features. Apple’s launch also confirmed a four-phone range—iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max—all open for preorder this week with retail availability from Sept 19.

Design & display: thin is in

The headline feature is the 5.6 mm chassis, using a titanium frame with Ceramic Shield glass. Despite the thinness, the Air targets durability and a lighter in-hand feel (~165 g). The 6.5-inch OLED supports ProMotion 120 Hz and a claimed 3,000-nit peak for better outdoor visibility—numbers that put it among the brightest mainstream phones you can buy. Color options at launch include black, white, beige, and light blue. The VergeThe Guardian

Performance, connectivity, and software

Under the hood is Apple’s new A19 Pro silicon, paired with a C1-series 5G modem. Wireless spec bumps include Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6; Apple also enables Thread networking via an on-board N-series chip for lower-power smart-home device control. The phone ships with iOS 26, which introduces the “Liquid Glass” design language and deeper dual-camera video features.

Cameras: everyday shooters with creator tricks

Apple equips the Air with a 48 MP main sensor (Apple calls it a “dual-fusion” system for better detail and low-light processing) plus a telephoto camera for clear portrait and zoom shots. The 18 MP front camera adds Center Stage-style framing and can record simultaneously with the rear camera thanks to dual-capture—a handy tool for vloggers and reporters.

Battery & charging: thin phone, long day

Apple claims all-day battery life and up to 27 hours of video playback on the Air. For heavy travel days, the company is pitching a new $99 MagSafe battery pack that can push video playback claims to around 40 hours. Exact wired/wireless wattage figures weren’t highlighted in the initial briefings, but Apple says efficiency gains from the A19 Pro and the slim OLED stack help sustain endurance.

eSIM-only goes wider

To save internal space, the iPhone Air ships eSIM-only worldwide. Apple is also expanding eSIM-only to more countries on other iPhone 17 variants this year, continuing the transition that began in the U.S. with earlier models. If you rely on physical SIMs, check carrier eSIM support before upgrading.

Pricing, variants, and availability

Starting price: $999 for 256 GB (higher storage tiers available).

Preorder: Sept 12; on sale Sept 19 in first-wave markets.

Finishes: black, white, beige, light blue.

India watch: Local pricing wasn’t detailed in the first wave of announcements, but with recent iPhone prices crossing the ₹2-lakh threshold at the high end, expect the Air to slot near the top tier once taxes and duties are factored in.

How it compares to the rest of iPhone 17 family

Apple’s Pro phones still target creators who need the most advanced camera systems and the highest sustained performance, while the Air trades some of that maximalism for radical thinness and a lighter build. Early hands-on and Apple’s own materials suggest the new Pro models keep 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch ProMotion displays with up to 3,000 nits brightness—a spec line Apple calls its highest yet. If you want the thinnest iPhone with flagship smoothness (and can live with eSIM-only), the Air is the style-first pick.