Apple’s iPhone 17 Air Set to Redefine Smartphone Design
According to a report by Eastern Eye, Apple is poised to unveil its thinnest iPhone yet, the iPhone 17 Air, as part of its upcoming iPhone 17 range. The tech giant has established a reputation for sleek design, but this new model is expected to take things to a whole new level.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to boast an unprecedented thinness, measuring between 5mm and 6.25mm thick, making it potentially 2mm slimmer than the 6.9mm iPhone 6, Apple’s current thinnest iPhone. To achieve this design feat, Apple is reportedly using a titanium-aluminium alloy for a lightweight chassis weighing around 145g. As Eastern Eye notes, this could mean compromises on battery size and internal components, but the company seems keen to manage this balancing act with smart engineering.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to occupy a middle ground in pricing and features, positioned between the base iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro models. Eastern Eye suggests that the device will be slightly more affordable than the high-end Pro and Pro Max but more advanced than the standard version. Exact pricing remains speculative, but a similar structure to previous iPhone launches is likely, with the iPhone 16 Pro starting at £999 and the base iPhone 16 priced at £799.
In terms of screen size, sources are split between a 6.6-inch and a 6.7-inch OLED panel, placing the iPhone 17 Air between the current Pro and Pro Max models. The device is expected to feature Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion technology and an always-on display. Face ID sensors will likely remain housed within the Dynamic Island cut-out, although there is debate over whether this will shrink in the 17 series.
The iPhone 17 Air will likely pair the new A19 processor with 8GB of RAM, although it’s unclear whether it will feature the standard A19 or the more powerful A19 Pro reserved for top-tier models. Due to its slim form factor, the device is expected to house a smaller 2800mAh battery, but Apple is rumoured to be incorporating new high-density silicon-anode battery technology, which could offer better efficiency and longer usage despite the smaller capacity.
Eastern Eye reports that the iPhone 17 Air could be the first in the range to eliminate the physical SIM tray entirely in favour of eSIM-only support, freeing up internal space. Additionally, it might feature Apple’s proprietary C1 modem, previously only used in the iPhone 16e. These adjustments would help maintain a balance between performance and space-saving.
One of the biggest trade-offs in the pursuit of thinness appears to be the camera system. According to Eastern Eye, the iPhone 17 Air will feature just a single rear camera – possibly a 48MP sensor, similar to that found on the iPhone 16 Pro – and a 24MP front camera. This move marks a departure from the trend of multiple-lens arrays and could be a divisive choice among photography-focused users.
As Eastern Eye notes, while the iPhone 17 Air has yet to be confirmed, the information emerging from trusted industry sources suggests that Apple is preparing to debut its thinnest phone ever. With design as its standout feature, the iPhone 17 Air may not appeal to users prioritising multi-camera setups or extended battery life, but for those drawn to sleek, lightweight devices, it could represent a bold new direction in the iPhone’s evolution.
Apple has established a reliable pattern for its annual iPhone launches, typically unveiling new models in early September. Barring any unexpected changes, the iPhone 17 lineup is expected to follow suit, with the iPhone 17 Air likely to debut this autumn alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 range. As Eastern Eye reports, we’ll likely know more when Apple takes to the stage in early September.
