The iPhone 17 Air is generating the most interest as it is expected to be Apple’s thinnest smartphone to date. Also known as the iPhone 17 Slim, this device may signal a return to the brand’s focus on design and portability.
Release Date and Pricing: Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 Air in September 2025, following its usual annual launch timeline. Pricing is still speculative, but historical data offers some context. The iPhone 16 starts at $799, while the 16 Plus starts at $899. Early rumors suggest that the iPhone 17 Air could replace the Air Plus model or even surpass the Pro Max, which currently starts at $1,199. If true, the iPhone 17 Air could position itself as a premium offering, emphasizing its form factor over hardware specifications.
Design and Size: As the name suggests, the standout feature of the iPhone 17 Air is its ultra-slim design. Prototype reports suggest that its thickness could be just 5–6 millimeters, compared to the iPhone 16’s 7.8 millimeters. If accurate, it would make the iPhone 17 the slimmest iPhone ever, potentially even thinner than the iPhone 6’s 6.9mm frame. Despite its slim profile, the phone is expected to feature a 6.55–6.6-inch screen size.
Features and Hardware: While the iPhone 17 Air’s design is intriguing, its thinness presents challenges for hardware. Reports indicate that:
- Battery: A thinner battery could result in reduced capacity, potentially affecting battery life.
- Audio: The iPhone 17 Air may feature a single speaker near the ear, replacing the traditional dual-speaker setup.
- SIM Tray: Following Apple’s eSIM-only strategy in the US, this model might not include a physical SIM tray worldwide.
- Camera: Breaking with Apple’s tradition of multi-camera setups, a single 48MP rear camera is rumored to be the standout, while the front camera could be 24MP.
