Billionaire’s Choice: Akash Ambani Uses iPhone Air, Not iPhone 17 Pro Max, at ICC Women’s World Cup Final
Billionaire's Choice: Akash Ambani Uses iPhone Air, Not iPhone 17 Pro Max, at ICC Women’s World Cup Final
The billionaire’s choice of a single-camera iPhone Air instead of Apple’s top-tier 17 Pro Max sparked social media debates — and highlighted why the lighter model could be the smarter pick.
During the ICC Women’s World Cup Final between India and South Africa in Navi Mumbai, Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio, was spotted using an iPhone Air — not Apple’s flagship iPhone 17 Pro Max. The moment, captured on camera as Ambani sat alongside ICC chairman Jay Shah, former India captain Rohit Sharma, and BCCI President Mithun Manhas, quickly went viral.
Netizens were intrigued to see the billionaire using a single-camera iPhone, with some mistaking it for the iPhone 16e. However, it was soon confirmed that Ambani was using the iPhone Air — Apple’s lightest and most minimalistic premium smartphone.
Social media reactions were quick and varied. One user joked, “I don’t know to whom he will show the video because the whole country is watching the match.” Another quipped, “Akash Ambani using iPhone 17 Air. Meanwhile his car cleaner using iPhone 17 Pro Max.” Others praised his simplicity, with a user writing, “Show off is for the middle class; rich people stay simple and think about growth.”
Interestingly, Ambani’s preference for the iPhone Air has reignited discussion about Apple’s mid-premium model. Despite its single-camera setup, the iPhone Air features a 120Hz LTPO OLED display, peak brightness of 3000 nits, and Apple’s A19 Pro chip — the same processor used in the 17 Pro models, with only minor performance differences.
Analysts say the iPhone Air offers a balance of performance and design for those who don’t need the Pro’s advanced features like 8x telephoto zoom, ProRAW photography, or ProRes video capture. It’s also lighter and easier to handle — an appealing factor for users prioritising comfort and aesthetics.
However, the device does come with a few trade-offs. It lacks Cinematic Mode, supports only eSIM, has a single speaker setup that can sound muffled at high volumes, and includes a slower USB 2.0 port for data transfers.
While sales of both the iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge have reportedly been below expectations, Ambani’s public use of the Air has given the model a moment of renewed attention — proving that even among the ultra-rich, practicality and design can trump excess.
