What if the iPhone Air is the same price as 17?

In 2025, when iPhone Air debuts, there was no iPhone 17 Plus, which, traditionally is the bigger screen iPhone non-Pro. The Air occupies this position as the bigger iPhone 17 with a twist, that twist being:

Positives: 

+ it is lightest iPhones yet

+ it has a titanium frame despite it's super light weight (all other phones has alluminium frame)

+ it is considered a pro phone with pro features such as A19 Pro chip, Pro Motion, Always On Display, Camera Control button

Negatives:

- have one camera (instead of 2)

- one speaker (instead of stereo)

- battery does not last as long as iPhone 17 or 17 Pro

The Air is generally regarded by press and reviews as the iPhone with compromises. It is also priced between the 17 and the 17 Pro, making it pretty awkward - for US$100 more, you get the 17 Pro, and for $US200 less, you can buy the 17. So the budget conscious prefers 17 and they get 2 cameras. The rich will go for the 17 Pro (the additional US$100 is small change to them) and they can get 3 cameras.

This is the reason why the iPhone Air is not selling well.

But, what if the iPhone Air is priced the same as the iPhone 17 for $799?

Which would you choose?

That is how the Air is priced in Malaysia currently. The Apple reseller, machines, is giving a deep discount to iPhone Air, probably to clear stock. Apple Malaysia is still selling at US$999 but machines is selling the Air at US$799.

For US$799, you can buy 'The thinnest iPhone ever. With the power of pro inside'. 

I feel that this changed the dynamics. I've always frustrated by my stainless steel iPhone 13 Pro which feels like a brick especially if I had the Apple Leather Wallet snapped behind it. And my old eyes need a bigger screen, yet not a heavier phone. The iPhone Air is the Goldilocks of iPhones for me - a big screen and the lightest iPhones. Sure, there are compromises. But I can live with them. And, if the price is the same as the 17, it is a no brainer to me.

My views after using it for 2 weeks: lovin' it and no regrets, even with the poorer battery life (well, to me, this is already an improvement over my aging 13 Pro battery)