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ZDNET key takeaways
The $999 iPhone Air
It's ultimately for those who value form over features.
Yes, it looks a lot like an Android, for one big (speculative) reason.
Earlier this month, Apple launched its new smartphone lineup. The new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max hit the market just in time for the upcoming fall season, securing their spots on dozens of Christmas lists.
But Apple -- often criticized for its lack of significant changes to its phones each year -- unveiled an odd duck that perhaps only the most dedicated fans an experts suspected was on the way: the iPhone Air. It's the thinnest iPhone yet, at just 5.6mm thick and weighing 165 grams.
Also: I compared the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max: Here's who should upgrade
Here's the thing: I'm not an iPhone guru, I'm a casual user, too, which makes me an ideal candidate to analyze the situation critically. You see, the bulk of iPhone consumers don't really understand the hardware and software differences from model to model. They buy the new model because their old phones need an upgrade, or they want to keep up with the Joneses.
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