iPhone Air has already dropped in price! Apple's thinnest phone can be bought several thousand cheaper

The Apple iPhone Air, the thinnest smartphone in the brand’s history, only reached the Czech market a month ago. Yet, it has already dropped in price by four thousand crowns. While in September it started at a price of 29,990 CZK for the basic 256 GB variant, today, according to the Heureka comparison site, you can get it from 25,990 CZK. For Apple, which keeps prices stable for months after launch, this is an unusually rapid drop. Of course, phones from these e-shops are often from EU distribution, but given the one-year international warranty directly from Apple, this may not be a big problem.

Why is the iPhone Air already getting cheaper?

A quick discount on a new Apple product is always a signal. Either retailers are dealing with excess inventory, or customers are simply not buying as expected. The iPhone Air was not a cheap phone – 29,990 CZK for the basic model meant a more expensive launch than last year’s iPhone 16 Plus, which the Air replaced in the portfolio.

The problem may lie in the compromises. The iPhone Air relies on design and an ultra-thin body (5.6 mm), for which customers have to sacrifice several things. There is only one camera on the back – both an ultrawide lens and a telephoto lens are missing. The phone has a mono speaker with average sound and a weaker battery (3,149 mAh) compared to regular iPhones. Moreover, there is no vapor chamber for better cooling.

What do you get for that price?

The iPhone Air is not a bad phone, just a very specific one. It offers a top-tier 6.5″ OLED display with ProMotion technology (120 Hz), maximum brightness up to 3,000 nits, and an anti-reflective coating. Performance is provided by the Apple A19 Pro chipset, assisted by 12 GB of RAM.

The main camera is identical to that of the iPhone 17 – a 48 MPx sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and optical stabilization. It takes good photos day and night; the problem arises when zooming, where a dedicated telephoto lens is missing. An interesting feature is the new selfie camera with a square sensor (18 MPx), which can record in both portrait and landscape orientation without rotating the phone.

The 3,149 mAh battery lasted about a day of normal use in tests by various editorial teams, which is not bad considering the phone’s thickness. What’s worse is the slow 20W wired charging – you’ll reach 50% in half an hour. The phone also supports MagSafe wireless charging.

Competitors offer more for less

It is precisely the comparison with the competition that shows why the iPhone Air might sell worse. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is only slightly thicker (5.8 mm) but has two cameras on the back, including a larger main sensor. Moreover, it is about 10 thousand cheaper.

Even worse is the comparison within the Apple ecosystem. The iPhone 17 costs less, has an ultrawide camera, the same main sensor as the Air, and longer battery life. So, if you don’t care about an ultra-thin body, the classic iPhone 17 is a better choice.

Who is the iPhone Air for?

The iPhone Air is a design statement, not a practical flagship phone. It’s a device for people who want to stand out – a phone with a thickness of 5.6 mm and a weight of 165 grams is simply recognizable by everyone.

For 25,990 CZK (after discount), you get a phone that, in most parameters, lags behind its competitors and its own siblings. However, if the thin profile and low weight appeal to you more than a second camera or faster charging, it might be an interesting choice.

What do you think about this discount?