Apple’s decision to use a single rear camera on the iPhone Air has been one of the device’s most controversial features. Despite Apple’s efforts to promote the iPhone Air’s rear camera as a quad-lens setup, the device’s single sensor has been one of the most frequently leveled criticisms. Here’s how this controversial camera performed in DXOMARK tests.
iPhone Air Scores Equal to iPhone 13 Pro and Mi 11 Ultra
We’ve seen videos and posts from photographers like Tyler Stalman expressing very positive opinions about the camera’s overall performance. Now, DXOMARK has published a comprehensive review of the device’s sensors. The iPhone Air scored 141 points in this test, placing it 41st in the global ranking of the best smartphone cameras.
The review was described as follows:
“The Apple iPhone Air performed well in DXOMARK’s Camera tests, but the lack of dedicated telephoto and ultra-wide camera modules prevented it from being among the top-ranked cameras in our rankings. In terms of camera, the iPhone Air is essentially a simplified version of the iPhone 17 Pro, featuring only a single camera module instead of the Pro’s three. Performance is very similar to the 17 Pro’s primary camera module, producing bright photos with very good image quality. However, the lack of telephoto and ultra-wide modules negatively impacts the Air’s photography experience, especially compared to some direct competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which includes an ultra-wide module for greater shooting flexibility.”
To offset these shortcomings, DXOMARK stated that the iPhone Air “captures beautiful photos with pleasant colors and warm white balance in most shooting conditions.” The bokeh (background blur) effect and object separation performed particularly well in the tests, especially compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.
On the other hand, DXOMARK noted occasional exposure instability, loss of focus, and white balance adaptation issues, particularly in video. Regarding video performance, they said the iPhone Air delivered the best results when shooting at 4K/60fps, and HDR “offers a wide dynamic range and vibrant colors.”
In conclusion, DXOMARK noted that the iPhone Air’s single camera performs similarly to the iPhone 17 Pro’s main camera, but the differences become more pronounced in low-light conditions.
