As the tech world eagerly awaits the launch of the iPhone 16 series next week, rumors are already swirling about Apple’s plans for 2025. But these aren’t just the usual whispers about the next iPhone series. No, we’re talking about a completely new kind of device—dubbed the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone Air, or even iPhone Slim, depending on which sources you trust. So what exactly is the iPhone 17 Air, and how does it stand apart from the four iPhones Apple typically releases each year? Here’s a roundup of everything we know about the iPhone 17 Air based on the latest leaks, rumors, and news.
Apple iPhone 17 Air Specifications
Here’s a specifications table for the upcoming iPhone 17 Air based on the content provided:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | iPhone 17 Air (also referred to as iPhone Slim) |
| Design | Ultra-thin and lightweight; potentially aluminum or titanium mixed with aluminum casing |
| Display | 6.6-inch OLED with low-power backplane tech; ProMotion (1Hz – 120Hz); Ceramic Shield coating |
| Camera (Front) | 24MP with 6-element lens |
| Camera (Rear) | Single 48MP camera, possibly top-center positioned |
| Processor | Apple A19 chip (likely N3P or N3X version) based on TSMC’s 3nm process |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | Smaller storage options expected |
| Battery | Smaller battery optimized via software tricks |
| Connectivity | First iPhone with Apple-made 5G modem |
| Unique Features | Smaller dynamic island, Face ID under display, Anti-reflective Ceramic Shield, AoD |
| Positioning | Positioned between regular iPhone and iPhone Pro models |
This table compiles all the leaks and rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 Air into a clear and concise format.
Must Read: Like Apple, Samsung is preparing to launch the S25 Ultra next year. I have a running timeline article on everything we know so far about Samsung’s next Ultra phone. Do share your thoughts with us on X.
All iPhone Air Leaks, Rumors, News
This is based on leaks and rumors from credible sources so take it with a grain of salt. Having said that, let’s begin.
Name
August 12, 2024
The scoop, from Mark Gurman, is that iPhone 17 Air will be an ultra-thin iPhone that will be light weighing far less than, say, the iPhone 16 and even 17 series. On the flip side, iPhone’s ‘Plus’ model may be axed to maintain the ‘4 new iPhones a year’ tradition. Some are also calling it iPhone Slim. Reason – Apple’s iPhone Plus and Mini models have failed to gain traction in the market leading to dismal sales figures.
Gurman says the iPhone Air may be positioned between iPhone and iPhone Pro models. Apple positioned MacBook Air between regular MacBook and MacBook Pro and iPad Air is positioned between regular iPad and iPad Pro.
Design
May 17th, 2024
iPhone 17 Air will most likely have an aluminum casing instead of titanium to reduce weight, cost, and bulk. However, Apple may prefer a titanium casing mixed with aluminum to balance cost and durability. According to The Information, it will feature a smaller dynamic island thanks to the metalens for Face ID detection. In simpler words, the face ID tech will be under the display now instead of in the dynamic island.
However, to be thin, iPhone Air may make some compromises. MacBook Air was launched sans the usual ports and optical drive that people wanted and depended on back in the day but more on that below.
Fun fact: Your iPhone will never be thinner than the USBC port unless they remove that and find a way to fast charge iPhones using wireless chargers!
Battery and Storage
Whenever I hear someone working on a thin smartphone, I worry about the battery life. I don’t mind a slightly thick phone but with an amazing battery pack that lasts more than a day when fully charged. But sadly, everyone wants an ultra-thin phone so that’s where the industry is heading.
iPhone Air may come with smaller storage options and a slightly smaller battery pack, which Apple will optimize using software tricks.
Camera Setup
Januray 4, 2024
Ming-Chi Kuo says iPhone Air, and even other iPhones in the 17 series, will feature a 24MP front shooter with a 6 elements or 6-piece lens. Previous base models like iPhone 14 and even 15 had 5P camera lenses. This means iPhone 17 Air should click far better photos and videos using the selfie camera.
July 24th, 2024
iPhone Air may come with a single back camera. Of course, image quality may see some input from software and AI to optimize it further. But adding a full camera island with two or three cameras would negate the objective of making an ultra-thin iPhone. Ming-Chi Kuo says iPhone Air will feature only one camera but Apple may change the location to top-center like on the Pixel.
Display
27th February, 2024
The Elec, a South Korean news site, reports that the iPhone 17 Air will feature an OLED display but with a low-power backplane tech. Why? That will help Apple bring ProMotion to the non-Pro models which is exactly what Air model seems to be. That means a dynamic refresh rate that can be anywhere between 1Hz and 120Hz as needed, something that base iPhone models usually lack even in 2024. I expect this will also lead to AoD (Always on Display). This along with some other features will help Apple differentiate Air from the vanilla base model helping them extract a higher price from buyers.
March 19th, 2024
Instant Digital shares leaks on Weibo, the Chinese messaging app. According to him, iPhone 17 Air will feature an anti-reflective coating on its display which is better scratch-resistant and harder than iPhone 15 series. The coating is called Ceramic Shield and was developed by Corning (maker of gorilla glass) in partnership with Apple.
May 6th, 2024
Two different sources say the iPhone 17 Air will feature a 6.6-inch display. The first came from Jeff Pu (who works at Haitong, an investment firm) and was reported by MacRumors while the second came from Ross Young who is an industry analyst.
CPU and GPU
May 6th, 2024
Jeff further says the new iPhone will carry 8GB RAM (iPhone 15 Plus had 6GB), an A18 or A19 chip, 24MP front camera, and a single 48MP back camera. Ming-Chi Kuo, an old and reliable Apple leaker seems to agree. Note that 8GM RAM is a pre-requisite for running AI or Apple Intelligence, reason why iPhone 15 and 15 Plus won’t receive any AI features with iOS 18.
iPhone 17 Air will ship with Apple’s A19 chip based on TSMC’s 3nm process. It is likely the N3P or N3X version. But that’s not the only homegrown hardware that iPhone Air will carry. It will be the first iPhone to feature an Apple-made 5G modem. Apple likes to build its own hardware and software, controlling all the variables as much as possible. They run a pretty tight ship.
