Apple has quite a bit in retailer for September’s iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16. Subsequent fall, nevertheless, will convey greater adjustments because of a brand new iPhone 17 Air becoming a member of the lineup. The 17 Air’s foremost draw will probably be a radical, ultra-thin new design. However how skinny can it actually be? Right here’s what to anticipate primarily based on hints from present merchandise.
Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup options new mannequin
The iPhone 17 Air, when it launches subsequent fall, is predicted to symbolize a deviation from Apple’s present iPhone lineup.
At Apple’s quick approaching September 9 occasion, it’s anticipated to introduce the next 4 iPhone fashions:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Professional
- iPhone 16 Professional Max
This form of lineup has been customary because the Plus changed the mini in 2022.
However in fall 2025, the Plus mannequin will itself get replaced by the 17 Air.
Reporting on this new iPhone was at first fairly complicated. Initially it seemed like an iPhone 17 Extremely, because it was mentioned to hold an ultra-premium worth level.
Later, nevertheless, we realized that it might characteristic a scaled again digicam system and fewer succesful chip than the 17 Professional fashions. So ‘Extremely’ was out.
The reply, it appears, is that that is an iPhone 17 Air. And like the unique ‘Air’ system—the primary MacBook Air—it’ll include compromises but in addition clearly be the longer term.
However how ‘futuristic’ will the system be? Sci-fi productions in Hollywood are inclined to depict smartphones as paper-thin, bare shows.
The iPhone 17 Air absolutely isn’t getting that skinny. Nonetheless, two present Apple gadgets present robust indications of how skinny it’ll possible be.
iPhone 17 Air clues from the iPhone 15 and M4 iPad Professional
In the event you personal an iPhone 15 or 15 Professional, that system has a USB-C port on it.
Take a detailed have a look at the port, and you may in all probability get a great sense of what measurement the iPhone 17 Air will probably be.
Think about the USB-C port’s measurement, then shrink down the present padding on both facet of it. Take into account its measurement with solely the naked minimal of bezels surrounding it.
Why deal with the USB-C port, you ask? Two causes:
- As a result of the 17 Air can’t get any thinner than its USB-C port, so it gives a great ground to begin with.
- The Air can also be extremely more likely to comply with the instance of Apple’s most up-to-date ultra-thin system, the iPad Professional.
The M4 iPad Professional launched in Could as, based on Apple, the thinnest product the corporate had ever made.
So skinny, in reality, that the USB-C charging port barely suits. Apple’s personal USB-C chargers are literally a tiny bit thicker than the system they plug into.
Measuring at 5.1mm for the 13-inch mannequin, it actually is remarkably skinny.
And we’re more likely to see a roughly comparable measurement on the iPhone 17 Air.
Evaluating the 17 Air to present iPhones
Right here’s how the system would measure up towards Apple’s present iPhones, assuming it’s about the identical measurement because the iPad Professional:
- 13-inch iPad Professional: 5.1mm
- iPhone 15: 7.8mm
- iPhone 15 Professional: 8.25mm
As you may see, there’s a notable distinction between the iPad Professional’s measurement and that of the present flagship iPhones.
It’s attainable the 17 Air may very well be just a little thicker than 5.1mm, whereas nonetheless retaining the ‘wow’ issue of being ultra-thin.
However measuring at about the identical measurement because the 13-inch iPad Professional, or maybe its smaller but thicker 11-inch sibling at 5.3mm, appears about proper for the iPhone 17 Air.
Something at or underneath 6mm would symbolize a giant leap ahead in thinness. Not each person will discover that price paying a premium. However for many who do, the iPhone 17 Air ought to present a compelling new iPhone type issue.
Would you like a thinner iPhone? Would you pay a premium for it? Tell us within the feedback.
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