Apple Introduces iPhone Air: Thinnest iPhone Ever With Titanium Design, 6.5-Inch Display, 48MP Fusion Camera, and A19 Pro Chip

Apple today introduced the all-new iPhone Air, its thinnest iPhone ever at just 5.6mm. The new model uses a grade 5 titanium frame with a mirror-like finish and a redesigned internal layout that creates more space for the battery.



For the first time, Ceramic Shield covers both the front and back. The new Ceramic Shield 2 front glass improves scratch resistance threefold and reduces glare, while the rear Ceramic Shield is said to be four times more resistant to cracks than the back glass on previous models. A precision-milled plateau houses the cameras, speaker, and Apple silicon, helping Apple slim the device without sacrificing strength.


The 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display features ProMotion with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, thinner borders, and an Always-On mode that can scale down to 1Hz when not in use. Outdoor visibility is also improved with up to 3000 nits peak brightness and 2x better contrast.

The camera system is led by a 48MP Fusion Main camera that offers the equivalent of four lenses, including popular 28mm and 35mm focal lengths. A quad-pixel sensor with sensor-shift OIS improves low-light performance, while an updated Photonic Engine enhances detail and color. A new image pipeline enables Focus Control portraits, and next-generation Photographic Styles include a new Bright option coming in iOS 26.



The 18MP Center Stage front camera debuts a square sensor with a wider field of view. It can capture landscape selfies while the phone is held vertically, use AI to expand the frame for group shots, and keep users centered during calls. It records ultra-stabilized 4K HDR video and supports Dual Capture with front and rear cameras at the same time.


Apple says the iPhone Air also excels at video, with support for 4K60 Dolby Vision, Action mode, Spatial Audio, and features like Audio Mix for boosting voices and wind noise reduction. Spatial photos and videos can be captured for playback on Apple Vision Pro.



Inside, the phone is powered by the A19 Pro, N1, and C1X chips. The A19 Pro delivers the fastest CPU in any smartphone, along with a 5-core GPU that includes Neural Accelerators in every core. The N1 enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread while improving AirDrop and Hotspot reliability. The C1X modem is up to twice as fast as Apple's first-generation modem and even outperforms the modem in iPhone 16 Pro, while using 30 percent less power.

Battery life is improved through the new design, silicon efficiency, and iOS 26 optimizations. Apple says iPhone Air offers "fantastic all-day battery life." The new Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26 uses AI to conserve energy when it predicts a device may run low. For extended use, Apple has introduced the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery, a slim $99 accessory that delivers up to 40 hours of video playback when paired with the phone.



The iPhone Air adopts an eSIM-only design, supported by more than 500 carriers worldwide and over 200 roaming partners. Apple says eSIM improves security, can't be physically removed, and makes international travel simpler.

Running iOS 26, iPhone Air supports Apple Intelligence with Live Translation across Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, visual intelligence for acting on anything on screen, and a refreshed "Liquid Glass" design for system apps. New tools also include call and message screening, updates to Apple Music, Maps, Wallet, and CarPlay, plus the new Apple Games app.



Apple is also introducing a new ecosystem of accessories:
• iPhone Air Case with MagSafe ($49), available in frost and shadow.
• iPhone Air Bumper ($39), available in four matching finishes.
• Crossbody Strap ($59), made of recycled yarns, in 10 colors.
• FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe ($59), in six colors.
• iPhone Air MagSafe Battery ($99).
• Qi2 MagSafe Chargers ($39–$49).
• 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max ($39).

On the environmental front, iPhone Air uses 35 percent recycled content, including 80 percent recycled titanium and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. Its titanium USB-C port is 3D-printed to use less material, and the device is manufactured with 45 percent renewable electricity. Packaging is now 100 percent fiber-based and recyclable.

The iPhone Air will be available in space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue, starting at $999 for the 256GB model, with 512GB and 1TB options also available. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 12, with availability starting Friday, September 19 in more than 63 countries, expanding to 22 additional markets on September 26.

Apple is also extending satellite feature access for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users by one year. Buyers of iPhone Air will receive three free months of Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV+ with a new subscription.