The iPhone 17 Air is generating significant buzz, promising to be the lightest iPhone yet. Not because of its size, but because of its incredibly thin profile, inspired by the MacBook Air and rumored to be thinner than any other iPhone 17 model. While the official announcement is still months away, leaks and rumors about this ultra-slim device have sparked both excitement and concern among iPhone users. This article compiles everything we know so far about the iPhone 17 Air.
Design: Pushing the Limits of Thinness
alt text: A rendered image of the iPhone 17 Air, showcasing its remarkably thin profile.
The iPhone 17 Air’s most striking feature is its thinness. Early rumors suggested a 5.5mm profile, but dummy unit examinations point to an even slimmer 5.1mm design, practically as thin as a mirror’s edge. To put this in perspective, the iPhone 16 is 7.8mm thick, and the iPhone 16 Pro is 8.25mm. While the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro are expected to be around 8.75mm, these measurements remain unofficial. Leaked images also reveal a pill-shaped camera bar, similar to the Google Pixel 9, but color-matched to the phone’s glass shell. Like the iPhone 16e, it appears to feature a single camera lens.
Battery Life: A Balancing Act
alt text: A side-by-side comparison of the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, highlighting the significant difference in thickness.
The iPhone 17 Air’s extreme thinness raises concerns about battery capacity and longevity. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is committed to maintaining battery life “on par with current iPhones” despite the slimmer battery. While specific battery life figures remain undisclosed, Apple reportedly considered a portless design for the iPhone 17 Air. Ultimately, due to EU regulations, they retained the USB-C port, avoiding potential limitations of wireless and MagSafe charging for users.
Display: Striking a Balance
alt text: A rendered image of the iPhone 17 Air in silver, showcasing its 6.7-inch display.
Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Air will sport a 6.7-inch OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This size falls between the iPhone 16 Pro’s 6.3-inch and the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 6.9-inch displays, offering a comfortable middle ground. The inclusion of ProMotion technology is also rumored, potentially extending this feature beyond the Pro models.
Cameras: Single Lens, High Resolution
alt text: A close-up render of the iPhone 17 Air, highlighting its single-lens pill-shaped camera bar.
Mirroring the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to have a single rear camera lens housed within the pill-shaped camera bar. Rumors suggest a 48MP rear camera and a significant upgrade to a 24MP selfie camera. This boost from the current 12MP iPhone 16 cameras promises improved photo and video quality, especially for social media content creators. However, the single rear lens likely means no spatial photos or videos.
Pricing: Premium but Potentially Palatable
The iPhone 17 Air is estimated to be priced around $900, comparable to the iPhone 16 Plus, potentially mitigating sticker shock for consumers.
