The iPhone Air shows why compact phones are still the better answer
The iPhone Air shows why compact phones are still the better answer
Publish Date: 2026-05-10 06:08:00
Source Domain: www.digitaltrends.com
I get the appeal of super slim phones like the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge. The moment you pick them up, the device feels immediately distinct from a typical smartphone. The iPhone Air is ridiculously thin at 5.64mm, which weighs just 165 grams, and still gives you a reasonably large 6.5-inch OLED display with ProMotion.
For its size, Apple gets the comfort part right. Many smartphones in general are becoming tiring in a very specific way. They are either too tall, camera-heavy, or get too heavy to use for longer stretches with one hand. The iPhone Air manages to cut down on this fatigue by not only slimming down, but also shedding some of that weight.
While it’s not as tall as the Galaxy S25 edge, it manages to feel less dense in the hand. But the novelty quickly runs out once I realize that the solution to the problem is already in front of us. After daily driving a compact phone for over a year now, the iPhone Air reminded me that thinness isn’t the same thing as true usability. I use a smaller phone every day because it ‘fits right’ in my hand in a way most modern flagships are not. It is easier to hold securely, more comfortable to type on with one hand, and generally easier to live with.
Modern “compact” phones aren’t as tiny anymore, but they still feel sane next to devices that are creeping closer to the 7-inch screen mark.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Thinness only fixes the hand feel, not the reach problem
The iPhone Air is easier to hold than most large flagships because it is lighter and slimmer. So when you are reading, scrolling, or just carrying it around. A heavy phone can start feeling annoying after a while, especially if you use it without constantly shifting between hands. But for anyone with smaller hands, the Air can still feel like a tall phone. The top of the screen is still far away. Pulling down notifications, reaching Control Center, tapping top-bar…
