Rumor has it, we could quickly see an extremely skinny iPhone. The rumored iPhone 17 Air — or it is perhaps known as the iPhone Slim — might doubtlessly substitute the present iPhone Plus amid Apple’s subsequent iPhone launch within the coming months.
The buzzed-about “Air” is getting lots of consideration within the iPhone 17 rumor mill, however the prospect additionally has individuals asking if Apple could need to sacrifice options to get a brilliant skinny telephone.
Here is the thin on what we might anticipate with the latest iPhone.
iPhone 17 Air launch date: Is the slimmer iPhone coming this yr?
For almost a decade, Apple has held an occasion in September to announce its new telephones. This yr we anticipate Apple to disclose the iPhone 17 collection, together with the rumored iPhone 17 Air.
If the iPhone 17 Air rumors are true, Apple could be the most recent to affix the ultra-thin telephone pattern this yr. Final week, I bought to check out Samsung’s new light-weight Galaxy S25 Edge after previewing it and a slew of shockingly thin phones on the Mobile World Congress in March.
The iPhone 17 lineup often is the final to observe this fall-release mannequin, in accordance with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a report from The Data. Beginning with the iPhone 18, Apple will reportedly split its phone releases in order that lower-cost iPhones launch within the first half of the yr (beforehand reserved for iPhone SE fashions) and higher-end professional fashions are introduced within the latter half. That may doubtless imply a rumored iPhone 18 Professional, Professional Max, Air and new foldable iPhone mannequin might debut in fall 2026. Remember that an iPhone Flip or Fold has been rumored for years.
You may doubtless have the ability to preorder a brand new iPhone the Friday after the announcement, with the telephone transport per week later.
What’s going to the iPhone 17 Air value?
Early rumors about an iPhone 17 Air hinted that it might value much more than the iPhone 17 Professional, however a March Bloomberg report steered the telephone might value round $900. That price ticket would align with the rumor that the “Air” might substitute the Plus, which at the moment prices $899. For comparability, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge begins at $1,100.
Nevertheless, there’s additionally the query of how tariffs could affect the price of an iPhone. Amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff drama, Apple has principally escaped further taxes by stockpiling stock and getting most of its merchandise on a tariff exemption list.
Apple has moved some production of US iPhones to India to keep away from the steeper tariffs imposed on China. Nevertheless, Trump just lately mentioned he pushed Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner to move US iPhone production from India to the US. How a lot all of this might have an effect on iPhone costs is but to be decided.
No matter how tariffs play out, Apple is predicted to raise the price of the iPhone. These worth hikes are rumored to begin with the iPhone 17 line, so put together now to pay extra for “Air.”
iPhone 17 Air digicam: potential downgrade?
Among the many rumored potential sacrifices Apple could need to make to get a skinnier telephone is limiting the camera options.
The rumored iPhone 17 line is getting a brand new camera bar that extends throughout the width of the telephone. However Entrance Web page Tech shared an iPhone 17 Air video in February that confirmed a bodily mockup of the telephone primarily based on rumors. One of many extra stunning reveals was a smaller digicam bar with one lens on the left, suggesting the “Air” telephone has a single rear digicam, much like the iPhone 16E ($599). It is not clear if the digicam could be the identical because the 16E or if Apple would go the route Samsung did and embrace the primary digicam from the iPhone 17 Professional.
The only digicam idea is backed up by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a Bloomberg report, which mentioned that the rumored Air could not have the ultrawide and 5x telephoto lenses which have grow to be staples of Apple’s premium iPhones.
In a bit of fine information, it is also rumored that the front-facing “selfie” digicam on all iPhone 17 fashions, together with the Air, will likely be upgraded to 24 megapixels, in accordance with analyst Jeff Pu.
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Professional
It might be getting lots of consideration, however the rumored Air seems to be much less a complicated Professional mannequin and extra a substitute for the Plus.
Nevertheless, rumors are that the Air would have a 6.6-inch show, in accordance with analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo. If correct, that will imply the Air’s show is barely smaller than the iPhone 16 Plus, with a 6.7-inch show, however bigger than the iPhone 16 Professional, which incorporates a 6.3-inch show. The iPhone 16 Pro Max leads with a 6.9-inch show. It is unclear if the 17 Air’s display could be a Professional Movement show just like the one discovered on iPhone Professional fashions.
If the rumored Air lives as much as its identify, then the most important potential benefit it might provide over a Professional is its measurement and weight. A Bloomberg report from March notes that the iPhone Air might measure 5.5mm thick, in comparison with the iPhone 16 Pro at 8.25mm.
Mac Rumors reported {that a} leaker on the Korean-langauge Naver weblog, going by “yeux1122,” mentioned that the rumored iPhone 17 Air weighs roughly 145 grams (5.11 ounces). Examine that to the iPhone 16 Professional, which weighs in at 199 grams (7.03 ounces). If this rumor proves true, the Air could be simply barely heavier than the iPhone 13 mini, which weighs 141 grams (4.97 ounces).
Bloomberg’s report additionally notes that the iPhone 17 Air is predicted to have tremendous slim bezels in comparison with the remainder of the road, together with a Camera Control button and a Dynamic Island cutout within the show.
iPhone 17 Air battery life expectations
Among the many challenges of slimming down an iPhone may very well be determining the right way to cut back the battery measurement with out compromising battery life.
Initially, it was assumed {that a} skinnier iPhone would merely have a decreased battery life since there could be much less house to accommodate a big battery. However extra just lately, AppleInsider reported {that a} skinnier iPhone might use a silicon-anode battery that would assist lengthen its battery life.
Yeux1122 mentioned the battery capability is 2,800mAh, primarily based on particulars that originate with “mass manufacturing confirmed pattern,” in accordance with MacRumors. It added {that a} excessive density battery within the Air might enhance its “precise capability” by 15 to twenty%.
If the rumored iPhone 17 Air does use the silicon battery know-how, it will be the primary iPhone to take action.
Are iPhone Air rumors and leaks to be trusted?
Rumors are simply that. The hypothesis main as much as the iPhone’s launch is usually primarily based on insider information or leaked info from the groups engaged on the iPhone’s design, however these plans can proceed to evolve and will not be essentially mirrored within the ultimate product. We’ll solely have the ability to affirm these rumors with certainty when Apple formally releases the following iPhone and we will see it for ourselves.
