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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- iPhone 17 Air might debut as Apple’s thinnest cellphone ever.
- Single rear digicam reveals Apple’s thinness trade-offs.
- Anticipated to debut on Sept. 9, 2025, priced round $900.
Apple is anticipated to introduce an ultra-thin mannequin within the 2025 iPhone lineup. Known as the “iPhone 17 Air,” it is presupposed to be a lot slimmer than another iPhone to this point and can exchange the Plus fashions.
Due this September alongside the remainder of the iPhone 17 household, it has been repeatedly described as a super-slim new tier, with a goal value round $900. However what else makes this cellphone so completely different, and why do you have to care?
Let’s take a look at all of the rumors and leaks to this point.
Why is it known as iPhone 17 Air?
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has referred to the upcoming mannequin as “skinny” and repeatedly calls it “iPhone 17 Air.” So, that is what everybody else calls it. Apple hasn’t confirmed the title simply but, so take into account “Air” a working moniker till it debuts in September.
With any pre-release reporting, particulars can change. However Gurman is a managing editor with a powerful document on Apple scoops. AppleTrack at the moment charges his accuracy round 86%. This website tracks, verifies, and charges the accuracy of Apple leaks and rumors. MacRumors additionally graded Gurman’s WWDC 2025 predictions as an A+.
How skinny is the iPhone 17 Air actually?
If the rumors are proper, the iPhone 17 Air could possibly be the thinnest iPhone ever.
Famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a 72% accuracy in accordance with AppleTrack, says the cellphone will measure 5.5mm at its slimmest level — however the digicam bump is not going wherever. Nonetheless, Bloomberg’s Gurman described the Air as slimmer than present fashions and urged it could possibly be a step towards Apple’s long-rumored port-free future. For comparability, the iPhone 16 Professional is 8.25mm thick.
Renders and movies from Jon Prosser’s Entrance Web page Tech additionally level to an ultra-thin chassis in addition to a “digicam bar” stretching throughout the again. On one aspect sits a single rear lens, whereas the opposite homes a mic and LED flash. Prosser is being sued by Apple for allegedly leaking iOS 26 data, however his leaks align with a supposed iPhone 17 Air shell that surfaced weeks in the past.
After all, making a cellphone this skinny requires some engineering trade-offs. AppleTrack posted a video with dummy fashions suggesting refined {hardware} compromises, just like the USB-C port being nudged nearer to the again edge as an alternative of sitting neatly within the center.
As for weight, MacRumors noticed South Korean leaker yeux1122 claimed in a Naver weblog that the Air will are available in at about 145g (5.11 ounces). That may make it a lot lighter than the 199g iPhone 16 Professional, nevertheless it’ll be barely heavier than the 141g iPhone 13 Mini.
What’s the show dimension?
A number of leakers and analysts, together with Ming-Chi Kuo, mentioned the iPhone 17 Air may have round a 6.6-inch show with very slim bezels and a refined entrance structure, and it will hold the Dynamic Island largely the identical as present fashions. In the meantime, Macworld not too long ago noticed a brand new 1260×2740 wallpaper decision in iOS 26 betas that does not match any present iPhones.
What in regards to the cameras?
To maintain the iPhone 17 Air as skinny as potential, Apple is anticipated to make some concessions.
Each Kuo and Bloomberg’s Gurman reported the cellphone will drop ultrawide and telephoto lenses, as an alternative delivery with a single rear digicam — seemingly 48MP. Jon Prosser’s renders again this up, displaying only one lens inside the highest “digicam bar.” Up entrance, analyst Jeff Pu mentioned all iPhone 17 fashions will function a 24MP selfie digicam. Based on AppleTrack, Pu’s document sits at about 50% correct.
Will iPhone 17 Air final all day?
A thinner iPhone means a smaller battery, proper? Not so quick. This is how Apple plans to sort out the problem of battery life:
- Environment friendly charging and thermal administration: Leaker Majin Bu has shared pictures and measurements of what is claimed to be the Air’s battery: an L-shaped, steel-cased module that is about 2.49mm thick with an estimated capability of two,900mAh. The prototype options welded edges, new adhesives to make replacements simpler, and will enable for extra environment friendly charging because of improved thermal administration. Collectively, these particulars recommend Apple is optimizing inner area and battery efficiency.
- Excessive-density battery with silicon-anode cells: Kuo has floated the concept of a high-density battery for the iPhone 17 Air, whereas AppleInsider, citing a report from DigitTimes, claimed provider TDK is making ready silicon-anode cells. The mix of this tech could be a serious leap, basically permitting the iPhone 17 Air to retailer extra power in the identical area.
- An Apple-made battery case: The Data’s Wayne Ma claimed Apple’s inner testing reveals the Air’s battery life will not fairly hit the corporate’s normal targets. He mentioned the share of customers who can go a single day with out recharging the skinny cellphone shall be between 60% and 70%. To make up for that, Apple has been creating its personal battery case.
- Software program tips: Let’s additionally not neglect that iOS 26 introduces a brand new function known as Adaptive Energy, which was broadly mentioned throughout and after WWDC. Apple’s iOS 26 overview does not go into a lot element, however ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes examined it and reported that the system robotically adjusts efficiency and background duties to stretch battery life when wanted.
Any data on different specs?
When you’re questioning about which A-series chip the iPhone 17 Air will get or how a lot RAM it’s going to have, here is what’s leaked to date:
- Processor: Bloomberg’s Gurman claimed the iPhone 17 Air will get the normal A19, whereas the iPhone 17 Professional fashions will get the A19 Professional chip. A counter-rumor from Mounted Focus Digital on Weibo (by way of MacRumors) claimed the A19 Professional is coming to the Air.
- RAM: Kuo mentioned to count on 12GB DRAM on at the least three iPhone 17 fashions.
- Wi-Fi: Kuo additionally mentioned Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chip shall be used throughout all iPhone 17 fashions, which means it is shifting away from Broadcom. This reporting echoes earlier protection from Reuters outlining Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi/Bluetooth transition.
Will there be new colours?
Leaker Majin Bu — posting on his personal website and X — has repeatedly mentioned the iPhone 17 Air shall be accessible in 4 colours: a really mild “sky” blue, silver, black, and a light-weight gold. You’ll be able to see these colours, in addition to the opposite iPhone 17 fashions’ colours, within the tweet under.
How a lot will iPhone 17 Air value?
Bloomberg’s Gurman reported that the iPhone 17 Air shall be priced round $900, consistent with the concept that it’ll exchange the Plus tier.
Nonetheless, in Could 2025, President Donald Trump publicly threatened a 25% tariff on iPhones not constructed within the US — a transfer that, if enacted and utilized to the Air’s provide chain, may have an effect on pricing.
When will iPhone 17 Air launch?
Apple historically holds its iPhone occasion in early to mid-September to unveil the most recent fashions, which normally go on sale inside a few weeks. Whereas Apple hasn’t confirmed the iPhone 17 Air, it has mentioned its subsequent occasion will happen on Sept. 9, 2025, and a number of studies, together with Bloomberg’s Gurman most not too long ago, recommend the ultra-thin mannequin will debut throughout this occasion.
