THIS WEEK’S UPDATE

An update on my time with the iPhone Air

It’s been exactly 13 days since I collected the iPhone Air from my local Apple store. That number feels rather fateful, I agree, and while I don’t want to give everything away today (my full review of Apple’s Slim Jim portable telephone is on the way soon), I quite fancy giving you an update on what it’s like to live with day-in, day-out.

The iPhone Air is, I think, the most fascinating smartphone I’ve ever used. And I can’t quite fathom why. It’s still ‘just’ an iPhone. It runs the same operating system as the rest of them. It doesn’t flip or fold (yet). It has a compromised camera and battery setup. It doesn’t really do anything particularly special at all, if I’m being brutally honest.

There’s just something about it. The iPhone Air is one of those rare Apple devices that captures your imagination immediately and delivers a genuine “wow!” moment for anyone to whom you show it.

Living with the iPhone Air is an odd experience. While it’s undoubtedly a beautiful thing, you find yourself immediately wanting to put a case on it to protect those jewel-like good looks. Which all but negates the big selling point of the iPhone Air: ultra-thinness. Then you open the camera app and realise that there’s no wide-angle - something that I’m still surprised by every time I decide to take a photo. Then, well, there’s the battery. To hear more of my initial thoughts about that and the iPhone Air in general, check out this week’s Tech Diary video.

As you can see from the poll above, it’s the return of the big clash this week. And it’s a simple question: which would you go for? I want to see if Apple has moved the needle this year, so get voting! But maybe watch the video first…

IPHONE 17 PRO MAX VS S25 ULTRA

Here it is, the big one. Samsung vs Apple back for another round. Last year, it felt pretty easy to pick the S24 Ultra as my favourite device out of the two. But this year, the 17 Pro Max has made up some serious ground…and it’s a much harder call.

MUST-WATCH

A NEW Herman Miller Alternative? Hinomi H2 Pro Review!

I’ve had so many comments asking me about the chair I’ve been sitting on for the past few weeks, and I’ve finally found the time to make a video about it. It is probably one of the most adjustable and comfy office chairs I’ve used, and it’s far cheaper than the classic Herman Miller option…

YES, THERE’S MORE…

Reviews, Podcasts, & More Videos:

Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: A Real Looker

This phone is seriously impressive. And no, it’s not just because it’s priced very reasonably, but because the camera system blows any of its nearby competition out of the water. It’s one you really have to see to believe. →

Why YouTubers have to use clickbait w/Pete Matheson

In the latest episode of our podcast Not PC, we delve into the weird world of figuring out how to title YouTube videos and catch up on the latest tech news, including Google’s announcement that Android is coming to PC! →

TIP OF THE WEEK

iOS 26 Custom Ringtone 👉
You can turn any MP3 file (30 seconds or shorter) into a custom ringtone. Just open the Files app, locate the MP3, press and hold it, then select Share > More > Use as Ringtone. The sound will automatically appear in your ringtone options under Settings > Sounds & Haptics.

TOP FINDS

What I Watched On YouTube This Week

🔮 $3 Trillion War for Mobile’s Future (CaseyNeistat) - Just spotted this as I was writing the newsletter. Insta-add-to-watch-list.

 📣 Is the modern MPC difficult to learn?? My thoughts (Tefty Music Tech) - For reasons I will reveal in the not-too-distant future, I now want an MPC. Quite badly.

😲 Xiaomi 17 Pro Max review - Apple are you seeing this!? (Mrwhosetheboss) - I haven’t got my hands on this yet, but… well, I’m fascinated. It looks great, too!

ON THE ‘GRAM

FINALLY - Hands-on with the MX Master 4!

Oh, I’ve been waiting for this. And I’d guess that you might have been, too. Finally, we have the brand-new Logitech MX Master 4 mouse. It has already placed my trusty (and rather dirty 😬) MX Master 3s as my daily mouse.

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter! There are rumours of more Apple releases this month, so the fun never stops. See you next Friday!

~ Mark