I used the iPhone Air for six months, and there's just one thing I miss.

      I have always had a preference for smaller phones. The last iPhone that I truly loved was the iPhone 13 mini, but due to its poor sales, Apple discontinued it. Ever since, I’ve been forced to choose the Pro iPhones, as they were the smallest option available.

      When Apple introduced the iPhone Air, I found myself with a new option. Although it features a sizable 6.5-inch screen, it only weighs 165 grams, making it lighter than the regular iPhone 17 and significantly more so than the iPhone 17 Pro. Its sleek design makes it easier to handle than its dimensions might imply, and that won me over.

      Now, six months later, here’s my assessment of the iPhone Air.

      What do I appreciate about the iPhone Air?

      The first thing you notice when you hold the iPhone Air is how comfortable it is to grip. Even with the large display, it’s lightweight enough for me to use with one hand for most activities, which I couldn’t manage with the Pro iPhones.

      The large screen has its advantages as well. It has become my secondary device for reading after the Supernote Nomad. I use Apple Books and Readwise Reader as my reading applications, and the larger display significantly enhances the reading experience. It’s also excellent for web browsing, viewing photos, and consuming content while on the move.

      The single-speaker system is a step down compared to the Pro models, but since I mainly use my AirPods Pro 2, it hasn’t been an issue for me.

      Did the battery perform adequately?

      My primary concern before purchasing the iPhone Air was the battery life. A 3,149 mAh battery may seem small on paper, and many reviews highlighted it as a shortcoming. I was bracing myself for disappointment.

      Surprisingly, the battery has not been a hindrance. The iPhone Air regularly provides about four hours of screen-on time, which effectively meets my daily needs. I don’t frequently use social media apps and prefer to watch content on my iPad or MacBook.

      My usage mostly involves communication via calls and chats, reading, listening to music and podcasts, and some light browsing. For that type of usage, the phone lasts an entire day without any problems.

      On travel days, I might notice a slight dip in battery life, but Apple’s MagSafe battery pack easily handles that. It offers an additional 70% charge, which is more than sufficient even for a busier day of use.

      The one thing I truly miss

      Here’s the revelation. After six months, the one feature I sincerely miss is the telephoto camera. The main sensor is impressive; it takes stunning photos, and the optical quality 2x crop works well for everyday shots. However, it simply doesn’t suffice for telephoto photography.

      Whether I’m at an event capturing candid moments or taking landscape photos, the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens is quite limiting. Just last week, while traveling, I noticed a tree I wanted to photograph, but I couldn't get close enough to make the shot work. A telephoto lens would have resolved that issue immediately.

      Over the past six months, this is the one compromise I've consistently encountered. Rumors indicate that the next iPhone Air may include a secondary camera. I truly hope it’s a telephoto lens rather than an ultrawide. While an ultrawide would be beneficial, a telephoto lens would make the iPhone Air nearly perfect for me.

      If you can forego a telephoto camera, the iPhone Air is an excellent device. For most users, it likely is. For me, it’s the one feature I keep wishing Apple had included.