Apple is SO Close to Winning Me - iPhone 17 / iPhone Air Long Term Review

Summary

In this review, the speaker explores their experience with the new iPhone 17 lineup, detailing both the pros and cons. While initially excited by the sleek iPhone Air, issues like poor battery life, ergonomic discomfort, and limited camera capabilities led to a switch to the iPhone 17. The 17, praised for its excellent display, camera, and performance, is seen as the best all-around iPhone in years, offering great value. However, the speaker’s frustrations with iOS and the lack of customization ultimately push them back toward Android, despite Apple’s promising hardware advancements.

Takeaways

• 😀 The iPhone Air has a sleek design and is extremely lightweight, but its narrow frame creates pressure points on the pinky, and the weight balance isn't great.
• 😀 The iPhone Air has a single 48 MP camera, which is limiting for casual photography and lacks the versatility of other models in the iPhone 17 series.
• 😀 Battery life on the iPhone Air is decent but can be short when using it as a hotspot, with some users experiencing early battery depletion.
• 😀 Apple's iOS migration tools are still not perfect, and the process of switching from Android to iPhone can be frustrating, especially with app transfer issues.
• 😀 Apple's iOS autocorrect and lack of keyboard customization remain major grievances, making typing on iPhones inefficient for frequent users of special characters and non-standard vocabulary.
• 😀 The iPhone 17 series introduces improved displays, with 120 Hz adaptive ProMotion and Corning's durable Ceramic Shield 2 glass, offering great durability and high brightness levels.
• 😀 The iPhone 17 is considered the most well-rounded iPhone in recent years, offering great performance at a more affordable price compared to the Pro models.
• 😀 The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers advanced features like ProRes 4K recording and better battery life, but for most users, the standard iPhone 17 provides a better value for money.
• 😀 iOS 26 has some bugs and issues, including Wi-Fi tethering problems and general system instability, which detract from the overall experience.
• 😀 The iPhone Air, despite its appeal, seems to be an expensive niche product, with slow sales suggesting it hasn't been a huge hit with mainstream consumers.
• 😀 Apple's lack of features like side loading, keyboard customization, and inconsistent screenshot management continues to be a source of frustration for many users, leading to a return to Android for the reviewer.

Q & A

What was the user's main reason for switching back to Apple in this video?

The user was hoping that the new iPhone or iOS updates would inspire them to return to Apple. This time, they were intrigued by the iPhone Air and the improvements in Apple's latest offerings.

What was the user’s experience with the iPhone Air?

The user found the iPhone Air to be sleek and light, but noted ergonomic challenges such as the narrow frame causing pressure on the pinky and issues with holding the phone without pressing the camera control button.

Did the user like the iPhone Air’s performance compared to other iPhone models?

While the user initially appreciated the iPhone Air's design, they found it lacking in key areas like battery life, camera quality, and overall performance. The iPhone Air also has slower charging speeds and issues with reception.

What were the main advantages of the iPhone 17 over the iPhone Air?

The iPhone 17 offered better battery life, a better camera system, faster charging, and overall better performance, making it the preferred choice for the user after testing both models.

What is the user’s opinion on iOS's autocorrect system?

The user continues to dislike iOS's autocorrect system, which they find memeworthy and not very effective. They also expressed frustration with the lack of keyboard customization on iOS.

What specific feature of the iPhone 17 impressed the user?

The user was particularly impressed with the iPhone 17's display, highlighting the 120 Hz adaptive ProMotion technology, the bright and durable Ceramic Shield 2 glass, and the ability to adjust brightness to extremely low levels.

How did the user feel about the iPhone 17's camera?

The user was pleased with the iPhone 17's camera, noting that it had a solid dual-camera setup and an excellent new square sensor selfie camera. It provided good video capabilities but wasn’t on par with the Pro models.

Why did the user prefer the iPhone 17 over the iPhone 17 Pro?

The user found the iPhone 17 to be a great value, offering solid performance and features at a lower price point than the Pro. It was a better all-around option, without the high price tag of the Pro models.

What were some issues the user encountered with iOS 26 during their review?

The user encountered multiple bugs with iOS 26, including Wi-Fi tethering turning off unexpectedly and a variety of other buggy behaviors that made the overall experience feel unpolished.

What is the user’s final conclusion regarding Apple’s offerings?

Despite some great features in the iPhone 17, the user ultimately decides to stick with Android, citing issues like limited customization, buggy software, and the restrictive ecosystem as reasons for not fully embracing Apple's devices.