The rumor mill is churning with exciting details about the iPhone 17 Air, expected to launch in September 2025 alongside the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. This new model is generating buzz, with leaked information pointing towards a dramatically thinner and lighter design, potentially marking the most significant iPhone redesign in years.
Design and Dimensions:
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be incredibly thin, with reports suggesting a thickness of just 5.5mm. Some sources indicate it could be between 5mm and 6mm thick. This would make it the thinnest iPhone to date, even surpassing the iPhone 6, which was 6.9mm thick and suffered from "Bendgate." To achieve this slim profile, Apple is reportedly using a titanium-aluminum alloy frame for enhanced strength and a lighter, thinner resin-coated copper motherboard. The device is expected to weigh around 145 grams, making it lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro and comparable to the iPhone 13 mini.
Display:
While the phone itself will be more compact, the display is rumored to be a 6.6-inch Samsung OLED panel with ProMotion technology, offering a resolution of 2,740 x 1,260. This would place it between the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max in terms of screen size. The iPhone 17 is also expected to feature super slim bezels and retain the Dynamic Island cutout.
Camera:
To achieve the incredibly thin design, compromises are expected in the camera system. The iPhone 17 Air may feature only a single 48-megapixel wide sensor on the rear. While this might seem like a downgrade compared to the multiple camera setups on the Pro models, Apple could leverage computational photography to enhance the single camera's capabilities. All iPhone 17 models are rumored to receive an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera. The rear camera will be housed in a redesigned horizontal camera bar across the top of the device's rear shell, also containing a microphone and LED flash.
Internals and Performance:
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be powered by Apple's A19 chip, though it's not yet clear if it will be the same as the A19 Pro chip expected in the higher-end models. There are also rumors of increased RAM, with some sources suggesting at least three of the four iPhone 17 models will feature 12GB of RAM. The device may also include Apple's in-house 5G modem, the C1 chip, potentially offering better connectivity and aligning with the company's push for more affordable products using their own modems.
Battery:
The smaller internal space raises concerns about battery capacity. Leaks suggest a 2,800mAh battery, significantly smaller than some competitors. However, Apple might utilize silicon-anode battery technology or high-density battery tech to increase the actual capacity by 15-20% within the same size constraints. There are also reports of Apple working on AI-powered battery-saving features and potentially reintroducing the iPhone battery case to compensate for the smaller battery.
Other Rumored Features:
Pricing and Release:
The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in September 2025, following Apple's traditional release cycle. While pricing is still speculative, the iPhone 17 Air could be priced around $900, positioning it as a replacement for the Plus model. Some rumors suggest that prices for the iPhone 17 line may be higher overall.
The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be a compelling device that prioritizes a sleek, lightweight design. Whether Apple can successfully balance form and function remains to be seen, but the leaked details have certainly piqued the interest of iPhone enthusiasts.
