As soon as Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 16 series, excitement for the next generation began to build. The iPhone 17 series, expected to arrive in fall 2025, is rumored to bring several highly anticipated upgrades, including a higher refresh rate across the lineup, improved cameras, the A19 chipset, and more.
A Focus on Slimness and Power
Beyond the hardware, the buzz surrounding a new iPhone model is drawing significant attention. According to several reports, including some from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17 series might ditch the iPhone Plus model, replacing it with a new iPhone 17 Air model featuring a slimmer form factor.
The iPhone 17 Air: A Logical Addition to Apple’s Lineup
The iPhone 17 Air aligns with Apple’s commitment to offering users slim yet powerful devices across its ecosystem. With products like the iPad Air and MacBook Air already established, Apple’s plans to introduce an iPhone Air seems like a natural progression.
What to Expect from the iPhone 17 Air
But what will the iPhone Air look like, and how much will Apple compromise to achieve its slim design? Historically, we have seen Apple make trade-offs in its Air models to prioritize a lightweight, slim profile. So the iPhone 17 Air will likely follow the same approach.
Design Expectations
The rumored iPhone 17 Air is expected to be just 5.5mm thick at its slimmest point, potentially making it the thinnest iPhone ever—surpassing even the iPhone 6’s 6.9mm frame.
Display Expectations
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a 6.6-inch OLED display, placing it between the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in size. This display is expected to include Apple’s ProMotion technology, offering higher refresh rates of up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and responsiveness.
Performance Expectations
The iPhone 17 Air is likely to be powered by the A19 chip, built on an enhanced 3nm process. While it may not match the A19 Pro chip slated for the Pro models, it’s expected to deliver significant improvements in speed and efficiency compared to the current A18 chip.
Camera Expectations
In line with its minimalist design, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a notable downgrade from the multi-camera setups on other iPhone models.
eSIM Adoption
Apple is also expected to double down on its eSIM strategy, with the iPhone 17 Air potentially eliminating the physical SIM card slot entirely.
Battery Expectations A smaller chassis naturally limits battery capacity, and the iPhone 17 Air will be no exception. While exact battery specifications are unknown, it’s expected to have a smaller capacity than other iPhone 17 models.
Pricing Expectations
The price of the iPhone 17 Air remains a topic of speculation. Some rumors suggest it could be positioned as a high-end device, priced above the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Others believe it will occupy a mid-tier spot, with Apple limiting certain hardware to keep the device sleek and lightweight.
The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be an exciting addition to Apple’s lineup, offering a blend of performance, portability, and innovative features. While some compromises may be necessary to achieve its slim design, the iPhone 17 Air is likely to appeal to those seeking a powerful and compact smartphone experience.
