A detailed teardown shows how iFixit thinks Apple squeezed full-fat hardware into a 5.6mm chassis.
To make a phone this slim, Apple shifted part of the logic board into the camera bump, creating a little plateau that frees room for a larger, metal-cased battery and keeps sensitive components away from bending stress.
iFixit notes the titanium frame helps, though an empty shell is easier to flex thanks to plastic gaps added to reduce cellular interference; whether that matters long term, “time will tell.”
Battery, ports and Apple’s custom silicon
iFixit confirms Apple’s MagSafe Battery for the Air uses an iPhone Air battery inside; it’s a 12.26Wh cell that can be swapped between the pack and the phone without drama.
The USB-C port is 3D-printed from a titanium alloy, less scratch-resistant than the frame but “structurally robust,” and it’s modular, so it can be removed if needed despite being glued in.
Inside, Apple’s going heavy on in-house chips: the A19 Pro, C1X 5G modem, and N1 networking live on the logic board, making this the first iPhone with so many Apple-designed radios under one roof.
If you’re weighing where the Air might sit for everyday use, it’s worth scanning long-form camera and performance notes in roundups like best camera phones, which chart how Apple’s latest stacks up against Android flagships.
Easier fixes than you’d think
Despite the diet, iFixit says the Air is friendlier to repair than expected. There’s less vertical layering, so parts aren’t buried; the clipped-in display and back glass come off more cleanly, and the battery adhesive can be loosened using low-voltage electrical current (a method Apple rolled out on iPhone 16 and is now extending). iFixit gives a provisional 7/10 repairability score, crediting Apple for improved parts availability and lighter-touch software pairing on replacements.
For context on Apple’s shift toward more repairable designs and how that plays out in day-to-day ownership, dip into practical guides like how to choose the best iPhone and broader lists such as battery life on the latest iPhones.
A lot of thin phones chase style and sacrifice practicality; the iPhone Air’s layout shows its slim build is engineered, not just shaved down. The camera “plateau,” modular USB-C and battery approach make sense on paper. If that 7/10 score holds once the dust settles, this might be one of the rare ultrathin phones that’s both pretty and fixable.
