Apple’s rumored iPhone 17 Air will be more than just a slim new iPhone. A report says “it’s really a new beginning for the iPhone.”
The super-slender device reportedly will pack cutting-edge technologies not used in other iPhones.
iPhone 17 Air marks a ‘new beginning for the iPhone’
Multiple rumors point to Apple launching an iPhone 17 Air later this year. It will replace the Plus model in the iPhone’s lineup, which has not sold in large numbers. But if you assumed Apple would simply slim down one of its existing iPhones for the iPhone 17 Air, think again. Recent leaks have given us a glimpse into the iPhone 17 concept, and you can check out this detailed look at the iPhone 17 dummy model.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, details Apple’s “herculean effort” behind the upcoming iPhone, codenamed D23.
From the outside, the iPhone 17 Air won’t look much different from the other iPhone 17 models. It seemingly will sport a 6.6-inch 120Hz ProMotion display with narrow bezels, a Dynamic Island and a Camera Control button. Gurman says even the battery life will be “on par with current iPhones.”
Like the non-Pro iPhone 17, the Air supposedly will use an A19 chip. The slim design could come with a compromise: a single 48MP rear camera. Rumors suggest Apple will prioritize slimness over features with the iPhone 17 Air. No wonder the phone could be as slim as the M4 iPad Pro, measuring less than 6 mm thick.
Future iPhones will benefit from the iPhone 17 Air
On the inside, Apple reportedly will make radical changes to create the iPhone 17 Air. This will include redesigning the display and silicon components, using its power-efficient C1 modem, giving up on the SIM card slot entirely outside the United States and other big changes.
At one point, Apple even considered ditching the USB-C port entirely, going all-in on wireless charging, and making a portless iPhone. However, the company decided otherwise, with the European Union’s scrutiny being one of the key reasons.
Many technological breakthroughs that Apple will use in the iPhone 17 Air eventually should make their way to future iPhones. Some of them could show up in the high-end foldable iPhone rumored to launch in 2026.
A telling size comparison
To compare the design of the Air against Apple’s other models coming this autumn, take a look at a set of “dummy” images posted Sunday on X by leaker Sonny Dickson. Note how very slim the Air looks next to any of the other iPhone 17 models.
Here’s your first look at the iPhone 17 dummies, Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/WnOjD71Iba
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) March 16, 2025
It’s quite possible these are accurate, considering Dickson posted images of iPhone 16 series dummies last April that turned out completely on the nose.
Rajesh has been closely following and writing about the latest happenings in the world of mobile for nearly a decade now. While he prefers Android, he does not deny the superiority of Apple’s products and ecosystem.
