Perhaps I am simply getting bent out of practice, however the brand new iPhone Air looks like it could be my worst nightmare. The slim and trim model of the model new iPhone 17 was the star of Apple’s “awe dropping” September occasion, with Apple bragging they created a mannequin that is solely 5.6 mm thick, in regards to the measurement of three stacked bank cards. However I’ve to ask: Did anybody actually ask for a super-thin iPhone?
Apple has loaded up the iPhone Air with higher battery life and sooner processing energy by way of the A19 Professional chip. It is also received a 48-megapixel fusion digicam and a 12-megapixel 2x telephoto digicam. Apple mentioned that is essentially the most power-efficient cellphone it is ever made. It is prone to be a value-packed iPhone — or at the least it must be, for the reason that costs begin at $999 for 256GB. However none of that issues if the cellphone breaks, bends or shatters.
I am not a complete klutz, however I drop my cellphone sometimes. I throw it in my bag whereas operating out the door, shove it in my pockets whereas on a run and toss it on the counter whereas cooking. I want a cellphone that may take a little bit of jostling. I am not satisfied that Apple’s thinnest ever mannequin goes to have the ability to stand up to all that, regardless of the corporate calling it its “most sturdy design but.”
I’ve precedent to again up my issues. When Apple launched the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014, beforehand the slimmest mannequin Apple produced, early customers reported that the machine would bend after they stored it of their pockets — it turned often called Bendgate. Apple mentioned it solely occurred for a couple of iPhone house owners on the time, however historical past tends to repeat itself.
Learn Extra: iPhone Air: Preorders for Apple’s Thinnest Ever Telephone Are Dwell. Save As much as $1,000
“The iPhone 17 Air is a powerful feat of engineering, and Apple went into element in regards to the machine’s design. Given the challenges confronted with the iPhone 6 Plus, which resulted within the ‘bendgate’ controversy, Apple clearly needs to place minds at relaxation,” mentioned Ben Wooden, an analyst at CCS Perception.
Perhaps Apple’s presentation would’ve eased my worries in regards to the sturdiness of the iPhone Air if it had talked about something sensible about its testing and improvement past advertising fluff. If the corporate needs us to spend a thousand bucks on a brand new iPhone on this economic system, we should comprehend it will not bend or break after a couple of makes use of. (Fortunately for us, CNET plans to check it quickly.)
I admire what Apple is making an attempt to do, and I am positive the iPhone Air will probably be interesting for some people who need a lighter machine. However thinner is not at all times higher.
For extra, take a look at every part Apple introduced on the iPhone 17 occasion.
