September 20, 2025. The day one device changed my entire outlook on smartphones.

I was always a huge android fan. During middle school, I was enamored by the Samsung Galaxy S8. That was my first ever, premium android device, and let me tell you, I loved the thing. The curved screen, rounded body, glossy dark black glass. The phone was a marvel to hold, and a beauty to look at. I loved that thing so much.. 

Well, that is until it broke. Over the next years, I would go on, switching between Apple and Android, before finally settling on Android and using the Z Fold 3. I bought this phone at the end of high school as a “graduation present” to myself, and I didn’t look back, I daily drove it for over 2 years. The beauty and joy of unfolding a smartphone (though, the foldable phones of that time certainly were much thicker than our current smartphones) and having a small tablet in my pocket at all times was too good to be true. I used that phone religiously, until the micro cracks started appearing on my inner display, and somehow, one of the lenses broke. Though the device still worked, I could no longer daily drive the foldable, and decided it was time to look for something new. You see, after the doom of my Z Fold 3, I was lost in the world of smartphones for years. Switching from Android to Android. Maybe an iPhone in between each. I never knew what to stick with. 

Prior to the release of the Air, I was daily driving a moto razr 2024. That phone was fun, and worked much better than I expected at the price of $199.99 through my former carrier. However, the inner screen failed, and I didn’t know where to go, yet again. I used some budget androids over the time to fill the gap, and eventually was even able to get a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, a phone I truly coveted for some time. I used this phone for a week, and truly loved it. The cameras were awesome, the battery was great, and the display was phenomenal. However, the size of the device caught me off guard. It was HUGE. It was around this time, my eye was finally caught, this time by a different device..

Enter Apple. I was a loyal Android user for many years. I talked down on Apple. Got into debates with friends and family over the whole Android vs Apple debate. But I must confess; the only iPhones I had up to that point were 60hz, multiple year old flagships. Don’t get me wrong, those phones were solid, but not the same experiences I was getting with some of the androids I used. Anyways, I was scrolling X, and a thread appeared for the Apple event. I curiously scrolled, and saw the most attractive device I have ever seen: The iPhone Air. This device was like no other. Thin, titanium frame, beautiful camera plateau. The color choices were eye popping to me. I almost immediately decided I would get one as soon as possible. So after returning my S25 Ultra, I went to my local Apple Store, and bought the Sky Blue, 256 GB iPhone Air. And from September 20, 2025, I had found the device I could call my true one and only.

The Air had it all. I was pleasantly surprised by the battery. As an Android truther, I fell in love with Liquid Glass and iOS 26. The Design of the air continued to attract me. Holding it in the hand made me never want to let go of it. It was just as powerful as the pros, took some very solid pictures, and it disappeared in my pocket. What more was there to need?

Well, come February, I had been using the phone for almost 6 months and decided I wanted to look for some offers on my Air, as I missed the camera capabilities. I was able to trade my Air with somebody for an Orange 17 Pro, and that was that, my Air was no longer with me.

Don’t get me wrong, the 17 Pro was a great phone. Battery was better than the surprisingly good Air battery. The camera versatility was elite. And the orange was cool. But, there was something missing..

You see, using the Air for everyday tasks, it would disappear in my hand. While at work or at classes, I’d often forget it was even in my pocket. This was a very noticeable, and cool change in my life early on, but eventually it became normal. Anyways, almost immediately after trading the Air, I regretted it.

How did I need the versatile camera lenses? No. Did I need the “Pro” naming? No. The heft was enough for me to look elsewhere. I then went on another journey back to Android using many Android phones over the next couple of months. It was through this, that I realized no matter what phones I used, how good the cameras were, or battery, or appearance, it would never live up to one phone: The iPhone Air.

May 1, 2026 was the day I made my vow to get you back. After months of reminiscing and technology emotions, I locked it in. I drove to my local Apple Store, walked in, and came out with the “love of my life” and my favorite phone I ever owned. This time I went with the 256 GB Cloud White variant, and am excited to have you back in my hands.

At the end of the day, I’ve used many phones over these 2 Air-less months. I used phones with multiple camera lenses and impressive camera systems. I used phones with silicone carbon batteries. I used phones with the most powerful processors, and the “highest quality screens”. None of it mattered. The second I got open, and opened that iPhone Air box, and put the phone back in my hand, I knew immediately, you were the device I was meant to keep. After nearly 3 months without you, we were finally able to come back together, and this time, for good.

Moral of the story: The Air is truly such an underrated device, and something you need to use and hold to get the full experience. It ruined other phones with me. Without the air, I have no idea what my current device preference would be. Thank you Apple. Thank you iPhone Air. 

TL;DR: Made return to iPhone Air after getting rid of it for a few months. 

A Love Letter to The iPhone Air.