Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone Air, a new addition to the iPhone family that also features the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro models. It’s the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever at just 5.6mm, but still packs pro-grade hardware, a 48MP camera, and the new A19 Pro chip.
Pre-orders will open in the UAE on September 12 at 5 a.m. PDT (3 p.m. UAE time), with availability starting from September 19. Pricing starts at AED 4,299 for the 256 GB model.
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Pricing and Availability in the UAE
The iPhone Air comes in space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue.
- 256GB – AED 4,299
- 512GB – AED 4,899
- 1TB – AED 5,599
Pre-orders: 12 September 3 p.m. UAE time
Release date: 19 September
Accessories include:
- MagSafe Case – AED 219
- Bumper – AED 169
- Crossbody Strap – AED 269
- MagSafe Battery – AED 399
iPhone Air Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 5.6mm |
| Weight | 165 grams |
| Frame | Grade 5 Titanium |
| Front / Back Protection | Ceramic Shield 2 (front), Ceramic Shield (back) |
| Display | 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Refresh Rate | ProMotion, up to 120Hz |
| Brightness | 3000 nits peak outdoor |
| Processor | A19 Pro chip (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU) |
| Wireless | N1 chip (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread) |
| Modem | Apple C1X (2x faster, 30% less energy) |
| Rear Camera | 48MP Fusion system (28mm, 35mm, 2x Telephoto) |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage, AI framing, 4K HDR video |
| Video Recording | 4K 60fps Dolby Vision, Action mode |
| Battery | All-day, with Adaptive Power Mode |
| SIM | eSIM only |
| Storage Options | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Colours | Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue |
| Starting Price (UAE) | AED 4,299 |
Design and Display
The iPhone Air is built from titanium with a ceramic shield on both the front and back for extra durability. Despite its slim build, it’s designed to resist scratches and cracks better than previous models.
- 5.6mm thickness
- Titanium frame with ceramic shield front and back
- New 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display
- ProMotion refresh rate up to 120Hz
- 3000 nits peak outdoor brightness
Apple says this combination makes it the toughest iPhone design so far. The Always-On display can drop to 1Hz when idle to save power, and outdoor visibility should be the best yet.
Camera Upgrades
Apple is pushing photography hard with the iPhone Air, introducing new camera systems on both the front and back.
- 48MP Fusion main camera with 28mm and 35mm options
- 18MP Center Stage front camera with AI framing
- 2x telephoto zoom with updated Photonic Engine
- 4K60 Dolby Vision video recording with Spatial Audio
The Center Stage front camera automatically adjusts framing for group selfies and video calls. On the back, the new 48MP Fusion system offers better low-light performance, multiple focal lengths, and portrait editing after capture.
Apple Silicon and Performance
Inside, the iPhone Air runs on a trio of Apple chips:
- A19 Pro – 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU for pro performance and mobile gaming
- N1 wireless chip – supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread
- C1X modem – faster and more power-efficient than previous iPhone models
Apple says this setup makes the iPhone Air the most power-efficient iPhone ever. Gaming performance also receives a significant boost, with support for AAA titles on mobile.
Battery and eSIM
Despite being ultra-thin, Apple claims the iPhone Air still offers all-day battery life thanks to a redesigned internal layout. A new Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26 learns user habits and manages battery more intelligently.
- All-day battery with new adaptive software
- eSIM-only design (no physical SIM slot)
- Supports more than 500 global carriers
For UAE users, this means relying entirely on eSIM. Carriers like du and Etisalat already support it, so switching should be smooth.
iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence
The iPhone Air launches with iOS 26, which includes:
- New design with Liquid Glass
- On-device Apple Intelligence features for translation and visual search
- Improved tools for calls, messages, and CarPlay
- Apple Games app for managing titles in one place
AI features like Live Translation and Visual Intelligence run on-device, keeping data private and working offline.
FAQs
What is the iPhone Air price in the UAE?
iPhone Air starts at AED 4,299 for the 256GB model.
When is the iPhone Air release date in the UAE?
Pre-orders start on 12 September, with release on 19 September.
Does the iPhone Air support physical SIM cards?
No, it is eSIM-only, but UAE carriers support eSIM.
