Apple has dropped not one, but two major updates this year—the iPhone 17 Pro and the all-new iPhone Air—and I got my hands on both. But instead of just giving you the usual tech-heavy rundown, I decided to bring in a special guest: my wife Beth. She’s been a loyal iPhone user for years, not a hardcore techie, but what I’d call the perfect “average iPhone user.” And her reactions to these new designs may surprise you.
Meeting the 17 Pro
We started with the iPhone 17 Pro. Fresh out of the box, the first thing Beth noticed was the camera system. Unlike older iPhones, which had a smaller cutout for the lenses, the 17 Pro’s entire top panel is one solid piece. It looks sleeker and feels sturdier. Apple did this not just for looks—it allows more room inside for a bigger battery and a cooling chamber, which should help the phone run cooler during heavy use.
Beth picked it up and immediately commented that it felt different—slightly thicker and taller than her current model, though still comfortable. For me, the standout design detail was the way the Pro uses a unibody back panel. No more “glued-on” camera square. Everything feels more integrated.
And let’s talk brightness. The iPhone 17 Pro now hits 3,000 nits, compared to the 16 Pro’s 2,000. Translation: it’s going to handle sunlight like a champ. When we powered it on, Beth admitted she was surprised at how light it felt—though in reality, it’s actually a bit heavier than the Air. The trick is the new titanium frame, which adds strength without making the phone feel like a brick.
Her one gripe? Button placement. The new Action Button sits too close to the volume keys, so in a case, it’s easy to hit the wrong one. Small detail, but if you’re an everyday user, those things matter.
First Look at the iPhone Air
Then came the real curveball: the iPhone Air. Beth hadn’t even heard Apple was releasing this model, so her reaction was 100% genuine.
The Air lives up to its name—it’s incredibly thin and light. I mean, when you hold it next to the 17 Pro, the difference is dramatic. Despite having a 6.5-inch screen (slightly bigger than the Pro’s 6.3-inch), it feels smaller in the hand because of how slim and lightweight it is.
Beth’s first words: “Wow, that thin and light.”
The Air’s design keeps things minimal. One single 48MP camera on the back (with 2x optical zoom and digital zoom beyond that) instead of the Pro’s full triple-camera system. The panel is also a unibody, just like the 17 Pro, but even more seamless. Yes, you lose the dedicated telephoto and ultrawide shooters—but you also gain a phone that feels more like an everyday carry than a mini-tablet.
For Beth, who doesn’t obsess over multiple camera lenses, the Air instantly felt like “her kind of iPhone.” The lighter weight, thinner profile, and simplicity really won her over. And Apple sweetened the deal by giving every Air model 256GB of storage standard, a huge upgrade over last year’s 128GB base.
Camera & Features
Both phones share that 48MP main camera, but only the Pro gives you all the extra versatility with multiple lenses. The Air uses smart software zoom and cropping instead. Beth admitted she doesn’t mind—she just wants to point, shoot, and get a good picture.
Both devices also include Apple’s “Center Stage” for selfies and video calls, which automatically widens or tracks as people enter the frame. Beth actually got excited about this, saying it would make group selfies way easier.
Wrapping It Up
So what’s the takeaway? If you’re a power user who lives on your phone for photography, video editing, and pushing performance, the iPhone 17 Pro is the obvious choice. But if you want a phone that feels incredibly light, slim, and easy to use—without giving up Apple’s newest performance chip or screen tech—the iPhone Air may be the sleeper hit of the year.
Beth’s natural first impression said it all: “I would prefer the Air. It’s very nice and light, and slim, and just easier.”
For me, I’ll be diving deeper into performance, cameras, and real-world usability in upcoming videos. But for now, it’s clear Apple’s shaking up the lineup. The Plus is gone, the Air is here, and iPhone users suddenly have more meaningful choices.
Which one do you think fits your lifestyle—the powerhouse Pro or the feather-light Air?