Apple's new family of iPhones is finally here. And, while the iPhone 17 is the new standard, the most exciting addition is the all-new iPhone Air – available for purchase on September 19. Luckily, if you missed out on our favourite preorder deals, we've done the hard yards to help you find the best iPhone Air plans available.
While the iPhone 17 is the best-value Apple handset, and the Pro models pack the best cameras and battery. The iPhone Air, however, is for those who value design and portability above all else." While it can be purchased outright and paired with one of our best SIM-only plans, its AU$1,799 starting price certainly positions it as a premium device, making the upfront cost a challenge for many.
That's why buying it through the likes of Vodafone or Optus and paying it off over a longer term contract is an attractive option. In our iPhone Air review, we called it "the sexiest iPhone" – and it boasts the same processor as the 17 Pro. If you've fallen in love with its ultra-thin frame, we've found the two best iPhone Air plans for any kind of user.
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Compare iPhone Air plans
Want to compare the two deals above to what other telcos are offering? Here's a quick look at what you'll pay each month for the 256GB iPhone Air, spread over a 24-month contract.
Outright iPhone Air deals
With the launch of the iPhone Air – the first brand-new iPhone in three years – every major retailer in Australia is competing for your purchase. While this makes it hard to find the best deal, it means there's plenty of options to choose from. You can see all the top options in the widget below.
iPhone Air Specs comparison
| Header Cell - Column 0 | iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price: | AU$1,399 | AU$1,799 | AU$1,999 | AU$2,199 |
Weight: | 177g | 165g | 206g | 233g |
Display: | 6.3-inch OLED | 6.5-inch OLED | 6.3-inch OLED | 6.9-inch OLED |
Resolution: | 2622 x 1206 | 2736 x 1260 | 2622 x 1206 | 2868 x 1320 |
Refresh rate: | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
Peak brightness: | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
Chipset: | A19 | A19 Pro | A19 Pro | A19 Pro |
Rear cameras: | 48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide | 48MP wide | 48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto (8x optical zoom) | 48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto (8x optical zoom) |
Front camera: | 18MP | 18MP | 18MP | 18MP |
Storage: | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
Colours: | Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender | Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue |
iPhone Air: Key Information
- 6.5 inch – just 5.6mm thick
- A19 Pro chipset and all-day battery
- Single rear 48MP Fusion camera
- 18MP selfie camera with center stage
Everything is new about the iPhone Air. It's the first brand-new flagship iPhone model in three years – replacing the iPhone 17 Plus as the fourth model in the iPhone 17 family at AU$1,799.
As the thinnest phone of all time – beating the rival Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge – the Air sports a new design with a slim, pill-shaped camera bump similar to that of the iPhone 16e. Design-wise, it's a mix between the iPhone 16 Plus and the new iPhone 17 Pro Max. It possesses the same volume rocker, power button, Action Button and Camera Control as the iPhone 17, along with a single USB-C port.
The iPhone Air also boasts what Apple says is its "most durable design yet" – with a titanium frame and Ceramic Shield 2 glass on both the front and back panels. We saw the terrifying way Apple tests the iPhone Air for ourselves, and we can confirm it's slight build doesn't equate to fragility.
It also doesn't make many concessions power-wise for its design. The iPhone Air comes with the new A19 Pro chipset that powers the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. It's not exactly the same, as it is a 6-core CPU with two performance and four efficiency cores, and lacks the Pro's cooling system. However, we had no issue with its performance in our iPhone Air review – saying it "feels responsive and fast, even with more intense workflows".
It also has a 6.5-inch display that's superior to the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro. This screen features 3000 nits of brightness and ProMotion technology, which provides an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that adjusts depending on what's on screen.
The big sticking point for the Air, much like Apple's affordable iPhone 16e, is that it only comes with a single 48MP rear camera with 2x 'optical quality' digital zoom.
However, it still offers impressive shots. And, the selfie camera has been upgraded to a new square 18MP sensor with Centre Stage, tracking the user within the frame whether the phone is held horizontally or vertically.
The other reason some will avoid this ultra-thin handset is that it's eSIM-only – meaning you cannot use a physical SIM card with this phone. Luckily, many of the best phone plans and SIM-only plans offer eSIM compatibility.
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