iPhone Air’s Big Compromise: Just One Speaker in Apple’s Latest Model

A Noteworthy Detail About the iPhone Air

During its unveiling on Tuesday, Apple glossed over a unique feature of its new ultra-thin iPhone Air: the device has only one speaker. This speaker is positioned at the top of the phone, where it aligns with the ear. Contrary to what might be expected, there is no speaker on the bottom of the device. Instead, the openings on either side of the USB-C port are microphones. Apple did not provide specific details about the speaker’s power, which is presumed to be more potent than those traditionally used in that position. As such, an evaluation of its performance will have to wait until the first hands-on tests are conducted. One thing, however, is certain: the iPhone Air is not capable of producing stereo sound.

Design Compromises for Enhanced Battery Size

The decision to omit the lower speaker, much like the removal of the SIM card tray, likely helped free up space inside the phone, potentially allowing for a larger battery. This theory was first suggested by the website The Information back in November of last year.