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'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Include These 8 New Features
- Apple’s new iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be impossibly thin—but what's the catch?
- A redesigned camera bar, upgraded selfies, and smoother scrolling could be incoming.
- Say farewell to SIM cards, bottom speakers, and maybe your old battery worries.
Apple's product launches always generate buzz, but the rumors swirling around the upcoming iPhone 17 Air have fans and analysts particularly intrigued. Expected this September, the new model might not only replace the iPhone Plus variant, but could redefine what we think of as an "ultra-thin" smartphone. So what exactly does Apple have in store this year?
A New "Air" Model
Apple is rumored to retire the iPhone Plus this year, making way for a brand-new variant: the iPhone 17 Air. Insiders suggest this move reflects Apple's successful naming strategy from the MacBook Air and iPad Air—devices famously known for portability, elegance, and sleekness.
Photo via Sangri Times // A concept rendering of what Apple's upcoming 2025 iPhone 17 Air might look like.
According to reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 Air could measure an unprecedented 5.5mm at its thinnest point. To put this into perspective, the famously slim iPhone 6, launched in 2014, measured 6.9mm. While the camera bump could extend the phone's thickness up to around 9.5mm, the overall experience in-hand is expected to feel noticeably slimmer and lighter than current models.
Display Changes Across the Lineup
The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly feature a 6.6-inch OLED display, conveniently positioned between the 6.3-inch screen of the standard iPhone 17 and the larger 6.9-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max. This size is carefully balanced, catering to those wanting a larger screen than the regular iPhone but not as bulky as the Pro Max.
Significantly, industry sources speculate Apple might finally introduce its ProMotion technology—a higher 120Hz refresh rate currently exclusive to Pro models—to the iPhone 17 Air as well. While some rumors have hinted at a potential 90Hz refresh rate instead, any step above the traditional 60Hz would be warmly welcomed by fans accustomed to smooth scrolling on Pro models.
Photo via Stuff // The iPhone lineup is expected by industry analysts to look very different this year.
Performance and Specs
There's no doubt that Apple aims to clearly differentiate the Air from its Pro siblings. As a result, the iPhone 17 Air might house an A19 processor instead of the more advanced A19 Pro chip slated for Pro models. Still, an A19 is no slouch—supporting Apple's latest advancements in AI, gaming performance, and energy efficiency. Combined with 8GB of RAM, it should offer snappy performance for most users.
Streamlined Camera Setup
Camera-wise, Apple seems to be simplifying the Air's rear array. While the iPhone 17 Pro lineup maintains multiple lenses, the iPhone 17 Air might come equipped with just a single rear 48-megapixel sensor. Interestingly, Apple is expected to feature this solitary camera in a distinct, elongated "camera bar" design, providing visual differentiation from other iPhone models. Although it's unclear whether this design offers tangible photography benefits beyond aesthetics, it could lend the Air a distinctive visual identity.
For selfie enthusiasts, there's great news—the front camera could see its first resolution bump in years, increasing from the current 12MP to a sharper 24MP sensor. This change would likely enhance selfies, FaceTime calls, and Face ID performance, especially in dim environments.
Connectivity
Apple has been gradually reducing its dependence on Qualcomm, and the trend seems set to continue. For the first time, Apple's own cellular modem—the C1 chip—could debut across the iPhone 17 lineup, potentially improving network performance and energy management. In addition, Apple's in-house Wi-Fi 7 chip could offer faster, more stable wireless connectivity, making the Air a solid upgrade for those frequently working or streaming on-the-go.
Battery Life
With a thinner profile, battery life concerns naturally arise. Yet, Apple reportedly has addressed this worry with three key innovations:
- A higher-density battery, providing substantial energy in a compact space.
- Apple's power-efficient C1 modem, expected to reduce battery drain during cellular use.
- The omission of an Ultra-Wide camera, freeing internal room for an expanded battery.
These measures could allow the iPhone 17 Air to exceed battery-life expectations despite its thinness.
Photo via NotebookCheck // The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be Apple's thinnest-ever iPhone model, but the device is expected to exceed battery-life expectations regardless.
Design Tweaks & Changes
Several additional practical changes are rumored for the iPhone 17 Air:
- Single Speaker Setup: Rumors point toward removing the bottom speaker, leaving audio playback solely through the earpiece speaker. This move likely contributes to a thinner chassis.
- USB-C Port Placement: An unusual design choice is rumored—an off-center USB-C port. It's unclear whether this has a functional purpose or is purely aesthetic.
- eSIM Exclusivity: Apple might entirely remove physical SIM trays worldwide, continuing their trend of pushing eSIM adoption.
Pricing
As usual, innovation doesn't come cheap. Insiders anticipate a price increase over previous comparable models, reflecting both enhanced hardware and Apple's new positioning for the Air brand.
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 17 Air appears to strike an intriguing balance—sacrificing certain high-end features to achieve a strikingly thin, portable profile. Some fans will inevitably lament the loss of multi-lens setups or stereo speakers, while others will appreciate the design and portability. It all boils down to user preference. Is sleekness worth the trade-offs?
In the end, Apple's rumored direction could prove clever. By positioning the Air model between standard and Pro iPhones, they're likely creating a versatile option that meets the needs of an often-overlooked market segment: people who desire flagship features in a lighter, more elegant form factor.
We'll find out soon enough. Apple's official announcement, expected this September, should finally confirm or dispel these fascinating rumors.
Apple seems to want to bring the ultra-thin design of the iPad Pro M4 into the iPhone 17 Air.— Ming-Chi Kuo
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