Rumor has it, we might quickly see an ultrathin iPhone. The rumored iPhone 17 Air — or it is perhaps known as the iPhone Slim — may doubtlessly substitute the present iPhone Plus amid Apple’s subsequent iPhone launch within the coming months.
The buzzed-about “Air” is getting lots of consideration within the iPhone 17 rumor mill, however the prospect additionally has folks asking if Apple might should 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 severe competitors.
The corporate has additionally run afoul of US President Donald Trump’s commerce conflict. Over social media, Trump threatened that iPhones made exterior the USA would face 25% tariffs when imported, that means Apple’s rumored upcoming skinny telephone may get costlier earlier than it is even been formally introduced.
This is the thin on what we may count on with the most recent iPhone.
iPhone 17 Air launch date: Is the slimmer iPhone coming this yr?
For almost a decade, Apple has held an occasion in September to announce its new telephones. This yr we count on 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 most recent to affix the ultrathin telephone development this yr. Final week, I obtained 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 would be the final to comply with this fall-release mannequin, in line with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a report from The Info. Beginning with the iPhone 18, Apple will reportedly break up its telephone releases in order that lower-cost iPhones launch within the first half of the yr (beforehand reserved for iPhone SE fashions) and higher-end professional fashions are introduced within the latter half. That will doubtless imply a rumored iPhone 18 Professional, Professional Max, Air and new foldable iPhone mannequin may debut in fall 2026. Take into account that an iPhone Flip or Fold has been rumored for years.
You may doubtless be capable of preorder a brand new iPhone the Friday after the announcement, with the telephone delivery every week later.
What is going to the iPhone 17 Air value?
Early rumors about an iPhone 17 Air hinted that it may value much more than the iPhone 17 Professional, however a March Bloomberg report advised the telephone may value round $900. That price ticket would align with the rumor that the “Air” may 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 may have an effect on the worth of an iPhone. Amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff drama, Apple has largely 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 lately stated he pushed Apple CEO Tim Prepare 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 worth of the iPhone. These value hikes are rumored to start out with the iPhone 17 line, so put together now to pay extra for “Air.”
iPhone 17 Air digicam: potential downgrade?
Among the many rumored potential sacrifices Apple might should make to get a skinnier telephone is limiting the digicam options.
The rumored iPhone 17 line is getting a brand new digicam 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 digicam bar with one lens on the left, suggesting the “Air” telephone has a single rear digicam, just like the iPhone 16E ($599). It is not clear if the digicam could be the identical because the 16E or if Apple would go the route Samsung did and embrace the principle digicam from the iPhone 17 Professional.
The only digicam principle is backed up by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a Bloomberg report, which stated that the rumored Air might not have the ultrawide and 5x telephoto lenses which have change into staples of Apple’s premium iPhones.
In a bit of fine information, it is also rumored that the front-facing “selfie” digicam on all iPhone 17 fashions, together with the Air, can be upgraded to 24 megapixels, in line with analyst Jeff Pu.
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Professional
It might be getting lots of consideration, however the rumored Air seems to be much less a complicated Professional mannequin and extra a substitute for the Plus.
Nevertheless, rumors are that the Air would have a 6.6-inch show, in line with analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo. If correct, that will 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 screen 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 may supply over a Professional is its measurement and weight. A Bloomberg report from March notes that the iPhone Air may 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,” stated that the rumored iPhone 17 Air weighs roughly 145 grams (5.11 ounces). Examine 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 Digital camera 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 might be determining the best way to scale 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 house to accommodate a big battery. However extra lately, AppleInsider reported {that a} skinnier iPhone would possibly use a silicon-anode battery that might assist prolong its battery life.
Yeux1122 stated the battery capability is 2,800mAh, primarily based on particulars that originate with “mass manufacturing confirmed pattern,” in line with MacRumors. It added {that a} excessive density battery within the Air may improve its “precise capability” by 15 to twenty%.
If the rumored iPhone 17 Air does use the silicon battery expertise, it might 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 usually primarily based on insider information or leaked info from the groups engaged on the iPhone’s design, however these plans can proceed to evolve and should not essentially mirrored within the closing product. We’ll solely be capable of verify these rumors with certainty when Apple formally releases the following iPhone and we are able to see it for ourselves.
