iPhone Air, Apple's Thinnest at 5.6mm, Showcases Decade-Plus Leap from iPhone 4

A recent social media post by user "有没有搞措" has drawn attention to the dramatic evolution of Apple's smartphone technology, juxtaposing the newly released iPhone Air with the iconic iPhone 4. The tweet, which simply stated, "> "iPhone Air vs iPhone 4 incredible details"", highlights the vast technological chasm spanning over a decade and a half of innovation.

The iPhone Air, launched in September 2025, represents Apple's latest push for ultra-thin design and advanced capabilities. Measuring a mere 5.6mm thick, it is hailed as the thinnest iPhone ever produced, featuring a polished titanium body and a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the A19 Pro chip, boasts a 48MP Fusion camera system, and supports eSIM-only connectivity worldwide.

In stark contrast, the iPhone 4, first unveiled in June 2010, was revolutionary in its own right, with Apple CEO Steve Jobs proclaiming it the "thinnest smartphone in the world" at 9.3mm thick. It introduced the groundbreaking 3.5-inch Retina display with a resolution of 640x960 pixels and was powered by the Apple A4 chip. The device featured a 5-megapixel rear camera and was the first iPhone to include a front-facing camera for FaceTime.

The generational gap is evident across all specifications. While the iPhone 4 relied on a Micro-SIM and a 30-pin dock connector, the iPhone Air embraces USB-C and an eSIM-only design, reflecting modern industry standards and Apple's commitment to sleeker form factors. The iPhone Air's advanced camera system, with its 48MP sensor and AI-driven features like Center Stage, dwarfs the iPhone 4's 5MP and 0.3MP cameras.

This comparison underscores the rapid advancements in mobile technology, from processing power and display quality to materials science and connectivity. The iPhone Air’s sophisticated features, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Apple Intelligence capabilities, illustrate how far smartphones have come since the iPhone 4 set new benchmarks for design and functionality in its era.