Unraveling the iPhone Air: Ultra-thin design and the trade-offs
The iPhone Air has seen a price drop of up to 4 million VND despite being newly released. Let's analyze the trade-offs of the ultra-thin design and the unexpected advantages in battery life and durability.
Despite only being launched at the end of September 2025, the iPhone Air, one of four models in the iPhone 17 series, is seeing a significant price reduction of up to 4 million VND at authorized distributors in Vietnam. This move is in stark contrast to its siblings, the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, which are still maintaining their listed prices. The reason is believed to stem from lower-than-expected sales, according to reports from Nikkei Asian Review regarding Apple's production cuts.
Updated iPhone Air prices for November 2025.
According to data from Websosanh.vn on November 30, 2025, the selling price of the iPhone Air VN/A at authorized distributors is significantly lower than the listed price set by Apple Vietnam.
| Version | Listed price (VND) | Current selling price (VND) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Air 256GB VN/A | 31,990,000 | 30,290,000 |
| iPhone Air 512GB VN/A | 38,490,000 | 35,790,000 |
| iPhone Air 1TB VN/A | 44,990,000 | 40,990,000 |
The price reduction of 1.7 to 4 million VND indicates that this phone model is struggling to reach consumers, mainly due to the compromises in features made to achieve an ultra-thin design.
The trade-offs for an ultra-thin design.
Undeniably, the iPhone Air boasts an impressive design with a thickness of only 5.64 mm, thinner than even its competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. It uses a premium titanium frame and Ceramic Shield 2 tempered glass. However, to achieve this thinness, Apple had to omit some important features.
Single camera system
With a starting price of over 30 million VND, the fact that the iPhone Air only has a single rear camera is a major drawback. Although the 48MP sensor delivers good image quality, the lack of telephoto or ultra-wide-angle lenses makes many users hesitate. They might choose the standard iPhone 17 for its dual cameras and cost savings, or spend more to own the iPhone 17 Pro for a more comprehensive photography experience.
Audio and connectivity limitations
The iPhone Air is equipped with only a single external speaker on the top edge, meaning there's no stereo sound, diminishing the entertainment experience. Additionally, it only supports two eSIMs and completely eliminates the physical nano SIM slot. The USB-C connector is also only 2.0 standard, offering slower data transfer speeds compared to the 3.0 standard on the Pro versions.
Overcoming stereotypes: Unexpected advantages
Despite its inherent drawbacks, the iPhone Air possesses unique strengths that many users may have overlooked.
The battery life is "small but mighty".
With an estimated battery capacity of only around 3149 mAh, many people were concerned about the battery life of the iPhone Air. However, thanks to the optimization of the N1 chip and C1X modem, Apple claims this is the "most power-efficient iPhone ever." Real-world tests have proven this. The YouTube channel Lover Of Tech showed that the iPhone Air can operate continuously for 7 hours and 49 minutes, slightly better than the iPhone 17 Pro Max (4832 mAh) with 7 hours and 48 minutes, and far surpassing Android competitors like the Galaxy S25 Ultra (5 hours and 57 minutes).
Superior physical durability
The notion that "thin means fragile" doesn't apply to the iPhone Air. Its titanium frame and Ceramic Shield 2 glass give it impressive durability. In a drop test by the YouTube channel EverythingApplePro, the iPhone Air proved more resilient than both the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, remaining scratch-free from a 2-meter drop, while the Pro models showed scratches from waist-high drops.
With its excellent display, powerful performance comparable to the Pro versions, and a more attractive price point, the iPhone Air becomes a worthwhile option for those who prioritize design, durability, and battery life over a versatile camera system.