With the iPhone 16 barely a couple of months old, Apple enthusiasts are already eagerly anticipating the 2025 lineup, with the iPhone 17 Air standing out as the most exciting prospect.
Referred to as Apple’s slimmest phone to date, the iPhone 17 Air (also called the iPhone 17 Slim) is set to push the boundaries of design and portability.
Release Date and Pricing: The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be announced in September 2025, following Apple’s typical annual release schedule.
While pricing remains speculative, we can draw some insights from past trends. The iPhone 16 starts at $799, with the 16 Plus beginning at $899. Early reports suggest that the iPhone 17 Air could replace the Plus model or even surpass the Pro Max, which is priced from $1,199. If this holds true, the iPhone 17 Air could emerge as a premium model, with its thin design being the main selling point rather than the hardware specs.
Design and Size: As its name suggests, the iPhone 17 Air’s most prominent feature is its ultra-thin profile. Early prototypes indicate a thickness of just 5–6mm, compared to the iPhone 16’s 7.8mm. If confirmed, it would make the iPhone 17 Air the slimmest iPhone ever, potentially even thinner than the iPhone 6’s 6.9mm.
Despite its sleek build, the device is expected to have a screen size of approximately 6.55–6.6 inches, placing it between the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. Analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu predict that it will have a titanium-aluminium alloy or aluminium frame, offering durability while maintaining a light weight.
Features and Hardware: The iPhone 17 Air’s slim design presents challenges for its internal components, but reports suggest the following:
- Battery: Due to its thin profile, the battery may be smaller, potentially impacting battery life.
- Audio: It might feature a single speaker near the ear, moving away from the usual dual-speaker setup.
- SIM Tray: As part of Apple’s eSIM-only strategy in the U.S., the iPhone 17 Air could lack a physical SIM tray globally.
- Camera: The phone is expected to have a single 48MP rear camera, breaking with Apple’s tradition of multiple cameras. The front camera may be upgraded to 24MP.
- Performance: With the new A19 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 120Hz ProMotion display, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to deliver smooth and efficient performance.
Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air might debut Apple’s proprietary 5G modem, signaling a potential end to its partnership with Qualcomm for 5G chips.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to prioritize portability and aesthetics, targeting users who prefer a sleek, minimalistic smartphone. Although it may sacrifice some hardware features, its high-resolution display, advanced processor, and next-gen 5G modem should still make it a competitive flagship.
Set to launch in September 2025, the iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most exciting innovations.
