×
Photo via MacRumorsNext

Apple's iPhone 17 Air May Not Be as Thin as Anticipated

64% reliable
7 mins
11.41K views
iPhone 17
  • Apple's ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air might not be as slim as we hoped.
  • Battery woes are throwing a wrench in Apple's sleek design plans.
  • What's really going on behind Apple's struggle to slim down?

Apple's ambition to introduce an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air next year is hitting some unexpected snags. The tech giant aimed to revolutionize its design by significantly reducing the device's thickness, but manufacturing challenges and cost issues are forcing a rethink.A concept rendering of 2025's Apple iPhone 17 Air, previously rumored to be the thinnest Apple product ever.Photo via Tom's Guide // A concept rendering of 2025's Apple iPhone 17 Air, previously rumored to be the thinnest Apple product ever.

The Quest for Thinness

According to sources on Naver, highlighted by MacRumors, Apple intended to use a thinner battery to achieve a sleeker profile for the iPhone 17 Air. However, these plans have been compromised due to technical difficulties and high production costs. The battery is now expected to be around 6mm thick, which would make the iPhone 17 Air only marginally thinner than the iPhone 6, Apple's slimmest phone to date at 6.9mm.

"Apple had aimed to use a thinner battery to slim down the iPhone 17 Air. However, challenges in manufacturing and cost have forced the company to compromise," the Naver source revealed.

A Shift in Strategy

The rumor mill suggests that Apple may discontinue the iPhone Plus series to make way for the new iPhone 17 Air model. This move indicates Apple's willingness to experiment with its flagship lineup to enhance user experience.

"The rumour mill has also suggested that Apple is planning to discontinue the iPhone Plus series to bring in the new iPhone 17 Air model," reports indicate.A concept image of the upcoming Apple iPhone 17 Pro, one of the rumored iPhones in next years lineup alongside the iPhone 17 Air.Photo via BGR // A concept image of the upcoming Apple iPhone 17 Pro, one of the rumored iPhones in next years lineup alongside the iPhone 17 Air.

Apple previously phased out the mini-series after the iPhone 13 lineup, replacing it with the Plus variant to offer consumers a larger screen and battery at a more accessible price point. It's intriguing to see how the iPhone 17 Air will fit into this evolving strategy.

The Battery Dilemma

The crux of the issue lies in balancing design aspirations with functional necessities. A thinner phone demands a slimmer battery, but current technology may not support the desired capacity in a reduced form factor without incurring prohibitive costs or compromising performance.Some of Apple's thinnest iPhones including iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (for comparisons sake).Photo via Reddit // Some of Apple's thinnest iPhones including iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus (for comparisons sake).

As someone who's followed Apple's product evolution over the years, it's both fascinating and a bit concerning. Pushing the boundaries of design is part of Apple's DNA, but it shouldn't come at the expense of usability. After all, a stunningly thin phone isn't very appealing if it can't hold a charge through the day.

What Does This Mean for Consumers?

For Apple enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the iPhone 17 Air, this development might be a slight disappointment. However, it's important to remember that these are still early reports, and Apple has a history of overcoming engineering challenges.

We can hope that Apple finds a middle ground that delivers both an elegant design and the reliable performance users expect. Until official announcements are made, it's wise to take these details with a pinch of salt.

Recommended by the editors:

Thank you for visiting Apple Scoop! As a dedicated independent news organization, we strive to deliver the latest updates and in-depth journalism on everything Apple. Have insights or thoughts to share? Drop a comment below—our team actively engages with and responds to our community. Return to the home page.
Stories related to iPhone 17

Samsung Galaxy S25 Rumors: Release Date, Leaks, Pricing, and More

61% reliable16 mins

Apple is Planning to Launch Sleek OLED MacBook Pro Models by 2027

63% reliable10 mins

iOS 19 Rumors: Release Date, Features, Leaks, and More

68% reliable13 mins

Apple’s A19 and A19 Pro Chips: Everything We Know So Far

65% reliable12 mins

iPhone 17 Rumors: A19 Chipset, Camera, Battery Life, and More

62% reliable10 mins

Apple’s Foldable iPhone: Sizing, Rumors, and What We Know So Far

57% reliable11 mins

Apple iPhone SE 4 'Confirmed' for March 2025 Launch

68% reliable11 mins

The Thinnest iPhone Ever: What We Know About the Rumored “iPhone 17 Air”

63% reliable9 mins

AirPods Pro 3 Rumors: Release Date, Pricing, Features, and More

66% reliable11 mins

AirTag 2: Release Date, Rumors, Features, and More

67% reliable10 mins

Thinnest iPhone Ever? Latest iPhone 17 Rumors: Features, Leaks, and More

65% reliable15 mins

Apple TV Set Rumors Return: What We Know About the Rumored Smart Display

58% reliable9 mins

Has the Apple Vision Pro Been Discontinued? What We Know So Far

68% reliable12 mins

Apple M4 MacBook Air Rumors: Release Date, Specs, Battery Life, and More

62% reliable9 mins

Upcoming Apple Product Releases: Here’s What’s Coming in 2025

59% reliable17 mins

Apple Vision Pro 2: Expected Launch Date, Features, and Rumored Delays

60% reliable8 mins

Apple iPhone SE 4 Rumors: Release Date, Specs, Features, Pricing, and More

67% reliable9 mins

Apple iOS 18.2: Release Date, Features, and More

88% reliable11 mins

Apple’s First Smart Home Display Rumored for 2025 Release

59% reliable8 mins

Apple Reportedly Developing Smart Home Camera for 2026 Launch

58% reliable8 mins
Apple

Apple

Microsoft

Microsoft

Google

Google

Amazon

Amazon

Meta

Meta

More stories

Samsung Galaxy S25 Rumors: Release Date, Leaks, Pricing, and More

61% reliable16 mins

Apple is Planning to Launch Sleek OLED MacBook Pro Models by 2027

63% reliable10 mins

Will Trump's Tariffs Cause Apple's Prices to Soar?

94% reliable11 mins

The iOS 18 Feature That’s Frustrating Law Enforcement

100% reliable10 mins

iOS 19 Rumors: Release Date, Features, Leaks, and More

68% reliable13 mins

100+ Stunning HD Wallpapers for Android Smartphones

100% reliable100 mins

Apple’s A19 and A19 Pro Chips: Everything We Know So Far

65% reliable12 mins

100+ Stunning Free HD Wallpapers for MacBook Air

100% reliable107 mins

iPhone 17 Rumors: A19 Chipset, Camera, Battery Life, and More

62% reliable10 mins

100+ Free 4K Wallpapers for MacBook Pro

100% reliable89 mins

Apple’s Foldable iPhone: Sizing, Rumors, and What We Know So Far

57% reliable11 mins

Google May Have to Say Goodbye to Chrome

98% reliable10 mins


More stories
Looking for the perfect wallpaper?
Explore thousands of free, high-quality wallpapers from Apple Scoop, specially crafted for your Apple devices.

Gradient

Apple

4K

HD

Landscape

Beach

Marble

Space

City

Pattern

Sunset

Ocean

Moon

Architecture

Quote




More wallpapers