iPhone Air in Space Black – First Impressions of Apple’s Thinnest iPhone

I’ve been really curious about the iPhone Air.

It doesn’t seem to be as popular as the Pro models, and I haven’t seen many people with the Space Black version.

So I picked one the iPhone Air in Space Black along with the Air Battery Pack.

This is my first time using it — unboxing, first impressions, and whether it could replace my Pro.

What’s interesting though is it feels like Apple showing us a glimpse of where they could be heading — an era of ultra-thin iPhones.

The Air might be the first step in that direction.

Unboxing the iPhone Air

Straight away, the Space Black finish blew me away.

• Back is a smooth satin black.
• Edges are glossy.
• In the hand it feels thin, light, and elegant.

Honestly, this might be one of the best-looking iPhones Apple has ever made. It reminds me of the iPhone 4/4S and even the jet black iPhone 8 — both still some of my favourite designs.

Inside the box you only get the usual: USB-C cable and paperwork.

No SIM ejector tool here because this one’s fully eSIM.

It might not seem like a lot, but the SIM tray actually takes up space inside the phone.

Without it, Apple can fit in more — whether that’s a slightly bigger battery or just making the phone thinner overall.

First Impressions

This thing is crazy thin.

Like, unbelievably thing.

The camera bump doesn’t stick out as awkwardly as on the Pro models, and the phone feels so light without feeling cheap.

If we’re just talking design, this is a 10/10 for me.

I actually really wanted this to be my main phone.

But there’s one thing that stopped me (more on that below).

The iPhone Air Battery Pack

With a phone this slim, battery life was always going to take a hit.

That’s why Apple made the Air Battery Pack.

• Snaps on perfectly.
• Matches the design really well (though a black option would’ve been nice).
• Makes the phone chunkier, but you only use it when you need it.

For me it’s not a huge issue — I work at my desk, so I’m usually near a charger during the day.

But if you’re out a lot, this accessory is probably essential.

Cases & Accessories

This video that this post is based off was sponsored by Dbrand.

They sent me two cases for the Air:

• Clear Case → simple, clean, shows off the Space Black finish.
• Tank Case → built like a tank if you know you’re not careful with your phone.

You can even swap out the buttons for different colours, which is a nice touch.

I’ll leave links and discount codes below.

Get 42% off with Dbrand

• Add a case – either the Tank, Ghost or Grip.
• Add a Prism screen protector.

Use the link and the code “oliur“.

Why I Won’t Switch to the Air

As much as I love how it looks and feels, the main camera sensor isn’t the same as the Pro’s.

That’s the dealbreaker for me personally.

I use the iPhone camera constantly, and I need the best one Apple makes.

You can still shoot ProRAW with third-party apps, but it’s not the same experience.

So while the Air is probably my favourite iPhone to look at, it won’t replace my Pro.

If you’re interested, you can check out my first impressions of the iPhone 17 Pro here.

Size & Build

• Bigger than the Pro, smaller than the Pro Max. They are calling it the “Goldilocks” size.
• Insanely thin — even with the camera bump.
• Space Black looks much sleeker compared to Silver on the Pro.

It also has Ceramic Shield 2, which should help with scratches.

I don’t use screen protectors and my iPhones usually hold up fine as long as I keep them away from keys and coins.

Should You Get the iPhone Air?

The iPhone Air in Space Black is stunning.

• If design and thinness are your priority → this is the one.
• If you care about having the best camera → stick with the Pro.
• If you get the Air, you’ll probably also want the battery pack or at least a good case.

I’ll be testing it more over the next few weeks and will share a full review soon, along with my usual accessory picks and camera settings guide.

Upgrade Your Wallpaper

If you’ve got a new iPhone, make it feel fresh with the right wallpaper.

You can browse the full collection now at platsupply.com.

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links — which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and I only recommend items I’ve actually tested.