Apple Reportedly Developing Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 Air for 2025 Release
According to a January 18 blog post by tech media MacRumors, Apple is preparing to launch an unprecedented ultra-thin model—the iPhone 17 Air—alongside the next-generation iPhone series in September 2025. This new device is expected to join the iPhone 17 lineup and replace the existing iPhone 17 Plus model.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be just 5.5 millimeters thick, a remarkable figure. Compared to the iPhone 16, it’s 30% thinner, and compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, it’s 33% thinner. Its thickness is close to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s 5.1 millimeters, making it potentially the thinnest iPhone ever. Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also predicted the device’s thickness to be around 5.5 millimeters. While other sources suggest a thickness of 6.25 millimeters, even this would set a new record for thinness in the iPhone lineup.
Due to the constraints of its ultra-thin design, the iPhone 17 Air will feature a simplified camera setup. It will include a single 48-megapixel camera, catering to basic photography needs. In terms of performance, the device will be powered by the A19 chip, which, while slightly less powerful than the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro series, will still deliver an excellent user experience. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air will incorporate Apple’s custom modem chip, though it may not support the fastest mmWave 5G speeds.
Notably, the iPhone 17 Air is positioned as a mid-range model, featuring a 6.6-inch display. In terms of pricing, it is expected to be more affordable than the Pro series, aiming to attract more consumers with its ultra-thin design. This strategy is seen as Apple’s attempt to address the lackluster sales of the standard and Plus iPhone models. With the launch of the iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 16 Plus is likely to be the last iPhone to carry the “Plus” name.
The introduction of the iPhone 17 Air is sure to generate significant attention from both the industry and consumers. Whether Apple can stand out in the competitive market with this ultra-thin model remains to be seen.
According to a January 18 blog post by tech media MacRumors, Apple is preparing to launch an unprecedented ultra-thin model—the iPhone 17 Air—alongside the next-generation iPhone series in September 2025. This new device is expected to join the iPhone 17 lineup and replace the existing iPhone 17 Plus model.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be just 5.5 millimeters thick, a remarkable figure. Compared to the iPhone 16, it’s 30% thinner, and compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, it’s 33% thinner. Its thickness is close to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s 5.1 millimeters, making it potentially the thinnest iPhone ever. Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also predicted the device’s thickness to be around 5.5 millimeters. While other sources suggest a thickness of 6.25 millimeters, even this would set a new record for thinness in the iPhone lineup.
Due to the constraints of its ultra-thin design, the iPhone 17 Air will feature a simplified camera setup. It will include a single 48-megapixel camera, catering to basic photography needs. In terms of performance, the device will be powered by the A19 chip, which, while slightly less powerful than the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro series, will still deliver an excellent user experience. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air will incorporate Apple’s custom modem chip, though it may not support the fastest mmWave 5G speeds.
Notably, the iPhone 17 Air is positioned as a mid-range model, featuring a 6.6-inch display. In terms of pricing, it is expected to be more affordable than the Pro series, aiming to attract more consumers with its ultra-thin design. This strategy is seen as Apple’s attempt to address the lackluster sales of the standard and Plus iPhone models. With the launch of the iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 16 Plus is likely to be the last iPhone to carry the “Plus” name.
The introduction of the iPhone 17 Air is sure to generate significant attention from both the industry and consumers. Whether Apple can stand out in the competitive market with this ultra-thin model remains to be seen.
