The rumored iPhone 17 Air, potentially the thinnest iPhone ever, has reportedly entered the new product introduction (NPI) phase, marking a significant step towards its potential launch. This development lends credence to rumors suggesting Apple plans to replace the iPhone Plus model with this new, ultra-thin design in the 2025 iPhone 17 lineup.
Since the iPhone 12 series in 2020, Apple has consistently released four iPhone models each year. The iPhone 12 and 13 series featured the regular, mini, Pro, and Pro Max models. With the iPhone 14, the mini was replaced by the Plus, a configuration maintained for the past three years. However, recent reports suggest a shift in strategy for the upcoming iPhone 17 series.
Rumors have circulated for months regarding Apple’s intention to discontinue the iPhone Plus and introduce a drastically different model. This new iteration, speculated to be the thinnest iPhone to date, surpassing even the slender iPhone 6, is widely anticipated to be named the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 6, released in 2014, boasted a thin 6.9mm profile. In comparison, the current iPhone 16 and 16 Plus measure 7.8mm, while the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are 8.25mm thick. It remains to be seen whether the iPhone 17 Air will rival the incredibly slim 5.1mm profile of the 2024 13-inch iPad Pro.
Rear shell of the M4 iPad Pro.So thin: the iPad Pro (2024) Nadeem Sarwar / MaagX
To achieve this extreme thinness, potentially 25% thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a single rear camera. Speculation suggests either a vertical layout in the top-left corner, similar to the iPhone 16, or a large, centered camera bump.
Other potential compromises to achieve the iPhone 17 Air’s thin design include a smaller battery, a single speaker instead of the usual dual setup, and a combined titanium and aluminum chassis.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to sport a 6.6-inch display.
With the NPI phase reportedly underway, small-scale test production is expected to commence in the coming weeks and months. Apple traditionally announces its new iPhone lineup in September, so we can anticipate the official unveiling of the iPhone 17 series, including the potential iPhone 17 Air, around that time.
