Apple’s ultra-slim iPhone Air joins the 2025 line-up—and pre-orders go live this Friday. If you’ve been waiting for a lighter iPhone with top-tier performance, this is the launch to watch. Below you’ll find UK pre-order times, prices, retailer links, and a quick comparison of all iPhone 17 models so you can buy with confidence. Pre-orders open 5am PST / 8am EST / 1pm GMT / 10pm AEST.
Starting price: $999 / £999 / AU$1,799. The Air effectively replaces the 16 Plus in the range—sitting between the standard iPhone 17 and the Pro models—yet it’s very much its own thing, with a svelte, slim-line chassis and A19 Pro power under the hood.
Where to Pre-Order in the UK
- Apple UK — up to £670 trade-in (model-dependent).
- EE — visit site
- Three — visit site
- Vodafone — visit site
- O2 — visit site.
iPhone Air: Is It Worth Your Money?
Our early hands-on impressions are positive: the weight, balance and finish feel spot-on, and the clean single-camera housing looks far sleeker than the Pro’s triple-lens slab. That said, Apple’s made some deliberate trade-offs to reach that wafer-thin profile.
Performance & cooling: Air shares the A19 Pro chip with 17 Pro, but drops the vapour-chamber cooling, so real-world sustained performance will likely sit between iPhone 17 and 17 Pro.
Battery: ultra-thin usually means a tighter battery envelope—expect “all-day”, but we’ll reserve judgment until full testing.
Cameras: instead of an ultrawide + telephoto combo, Air uses a single 48MP ‘Fusion’ camera offering three focal lengths with 2× optical-quality zoom. It’s simpler and looks tidier, but less flexible than the Pro’s dedicated lenses (including 8× optical telephoto).
Bottom line: If you want the thinnest, cleanest-looking iPhone with flagship speed, Air is the conversation-starter. If you prioritise thermals, battery headroom or long-reach telephoto, the Pro/Pro Max remain the power picks.
iPhone 17 Family — Side-by-Side Specs
| iPhone 17 | iPhone 17 Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 177g | 165g | 206g | 233g |
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED | 6.5-inch OLED | 6.3-inch OLED | 6.9-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 2622×1206 | 2736×1260 | 2622×1206 | 2868×1320 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Chipset | A19 | A19 Pro | A19 Pro | A19 Pro |
| Rear cameras | 48MP wide (26mm, ƒ/1.6), 48MP ultrawide (13mm, ƒ/2.2) | 48MP wide (26mm, ƒ/1.6) | 48MP wide (24mm, ƒ/1.78), 48MP ultrawide (13mm, ƒ/2.2), 48MP telephoto (8× optical) | Same as Pro |
| Front camera | 18MP (ƒ/1.9) | 18MP (ƒ/1.9) | 18MP (ƒ/1.9) | 18MP (ƒ/1.9) |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Colours | Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender | Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue |
Quick Buying Notes
- Display & feel: Air brings the bigger 6.5-inch panel in a body that feels lighter than the spec sheet suggests.
- Cameras: Pro/Pro Max add ultra-wide + 8× telephoto for creators who shoot varied focal lengths.
- Storage: Pro Max alone goes to 2TB—useful for ProRes video work.
UK Pre-Order Checklist
- Pick your retailer/carrier (Apple, EE, Three, Vodafone, O2).
- Decide storage & colour before pre-orders open to avoid delays.
- Run the trade-in quote and back up your current iPhone.
- Be online at the opening minute to secure day-one delivery.
Leave a Reply