Rumor has it, we could quickly see an ultrathin iPhone. The rumored iPhone 17 Air — or it is likely to be referred to 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 plenty of consideration within the iPhone 17 rumor mill, however the prospect additionally has individuals asking if Apple could must sacrifice options to get a superthin telephone. Now that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has launched because the de facto thinnest smartphone round, Apple has critical competitors.
The corporate has additionally run afoul of US President Donald Trump’s commerce warfare. Over social media, Trump threatened that iPhones made outdoors the US would face 25% tariffs when imported, which means Apple’s rumored upcoming skinny telephone might get dearer earlier than it is even been formally introduced.
Here is the thin on what we might anticipate with the most recent iPhone.
iPhone 17 Air launch date: Is the slimmer iPhone coming this 12 months?
For almost a decade, Apple has held an occasion in September to announce its new telephones. This 12 months 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 newest to affix the ultrathin telephone pattern this 12 months. Final week, I received to check out Samsung’s new light-weight Galaxy S25 Edge after previewing it and a slew of shockingly skinny telephones on the Cell World Congress in March.
The iPhone 17 lineup could be the final to observe this fall-release mannequin, in keeping with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a report from The Data. Beginning with the iPhone 18, Apple will reportedly cut up its telephone releases in order that lower-cost iPhones launch within the first half of the 12 months (beforehand reserved for iPhone SE fashions) and higher-end professional fashions are introduced within the latter half. That might doubtless imply a rumored iPhone 18 Professional, Professional Max, Air and new foldable iPhone mannequin might debut in fall 2026. Needless to say an iPhone Flip or Fold has been rumored for years.
You will doubtless be capable to preorder a brand new iPhone the Friday after the announcement, with the telephone transport every week later.
What is going to the iPhone 17 Air price?
Early rumors about an iPhone 17 Air hinted that it might price much more than the iPhone 17 Professional, however a March Bloomberg report advised the telephone might price round $900. That price ticket would align with the rumor that the “Air” might substitute the Plus, which at present prices $899. For comparability, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge begins at $1,100.
Nevertheless, there’s additionally the query of how tariffs might have an effect on the value of an iPhone. Amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff drama, Apple has principally escaped extra taxes by stockpiling stock and getting most of its merchandise on a tariff exemption record.
Apple has moved some manufacturing of US iPhones to India to keep away from the steeper tariffs imposed on China. Nevertheless, Trump not too long ago mentioned he pushed Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner to transfer US iPhone manufacturing 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 anticipated to elevate the value of the iPhone. These value hikes are rumored to begin with the iPhone 17 line, so put together now to pay extra for “Air.”
iPhone 17 Air digital camera: potential downgrade?
Among the many rumored potential sacrifices Apple could must make to get a skinnier telephone is limiting the digital camera options.
The rumored iPhone 17 line is getting a brand new digital 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 shocking reveals was a smaller digital camera bar with one lens on the left, suggesting the “Air” telephone has a single rear digital camera, much like the iPhone 16E ($599). It is not clear if the digital camera could be the identical because the 16E or if Apple would go the route Samsung did and embody the principle digital camera from the iPhone 17 Professional.
The one digital camera concept 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 turn out to be staples of Apple’s premium iPhones.
In a bit of excellent information, it is also rumored that the front-facing “selfie” digital camera on all iPhone 17 fashions, together with the Air, will probably be upgraded to 24 megapixels, in keeping with analyst Jeff Pu.
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Professional
It could be getting plenty of consideration, however the rumored Air seems to be much less a sophisticated Professional mannequin and extra a substitute for the Plus.
Nevertheless, rumors are that the Air would have a 6.6-inch show, in keeping with analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo. If correct, that might 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 includes a 6.3-inch show. The iPhone 16 Professional 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 title, 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 Professional 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). Evaluate 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 anticipated to have superslim bezels in comparison with the remainder of the road, together with a Digicam Management button and a Dynamic Island cutout within the show.
iPhone 17 Air battery life expectations
Among the many challenges of slimming down an iPhone could possibly 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 area to accommodate a big battery. However extra not too long ago, AppleInsider reported {that a} skinnier iPhone may 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 keeping 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 expertise, it could 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 commonly primarily based on insider data 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 be capable to verify these rumors with certainty when Apple formally releases the following iPhone and we will see it for ourselves.
