iPhone Air hands-on: The super sleek precursor to Apple’s upcoming foldable

Key Takeaways:

• The iPhone Air is just 5.6mm thick, emphasizing Apple’s commitment to sleek design.
• Its single 48MP camera and subtle “camera plateau” reflect a refined aesthetic.
• Samsung’s foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, offer parallels to Apple’s approach.
• Observers suggest the iPhone Air is a stepping stone to Apple’s rumored foldable phone.
• Despite its thinner profile, the iPhone Air retains a premium price tag in the $1,000 range.

A Thinner Vision for Apple

The iPhone Air is Apple’s latest effort to achieve the perfect balance of design and performance. Measured at just 5.6mm thick, it makes a striking statement about the company’s focus on aesthetics. Early impressions note its polished edges and the subtle rise housing the 48MP rear camera, which insiders call a “camera plateau.” Though Apple has not made a foldable announcement, the iPhone Air’s streamlined form factor hints at more significant plans ahead.

Glimpses of a Foldable Future

Analysts have widely speculated about Apple’s rumored foldable phone, and the iPhone Air’s design is regarded as a possible blueprint. Rather than radically re-engineering its first flexible display device, Apple seems to be doing its homework by examining the competition — specifically, Samsung. By refining a thinner design now, Apple could be setting the stage for a device that fuses two iPhone Air–like phones with a hinge and bendable screen.

Lessons from Samsung

Samsung’s influence is impossible to ignore. In comparing the iPhone Air to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge — which is likewise an ultra-thin rendition of the brand’s middle-child flagship phone — observers notice parallels in design compromises, such as smaller batteries and fewer cameras in favor of a sleek profile. Moreover, Samsung’s own foldable lineup, culminating in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 measuring 4.2mm thick when unfolded, underscores the path Apple might soon take.

Design Trade-Offs

Of course, reducing size also means sacrificing some capabilities. Despite costing around $1,000, the iPhone Air is reportedly short on battery capacity and features only one rear camera. These limitations echo Samsung’s similarly slim Galaxy S25 Edge, pointing to the inevitability of compromise for advanced form factors that promise convenience and style in a super-thin package.

An Evolving Apple Approach

Observers argue that the iPhone Air makes little sense if Apple’s only goal was to produce a slimmer phone without a clear reason. However, as long-standing rumors about a foldable Apple handset swirl, the iPhone Air’s design might simply be the penultimate puzzle piece. Should Apple eventually “smash” two iPhone Airs together with a hinge and a flexible screen — as some analysts posit — it would align with the growing consensus that foldable devices represent the smartphone market’s next frontier.