×
Photo via MacRumorsNext

Everything We Know About iPhone 17 Air: Rumors, Leaks, Design, and Display

66% reliable
13 mins
23.9K views
iPhone 17 Air
  • Apple’s iPhone 17 Air is coming. But some beloved features might vanish.
  • The camera bump gets a total redesign—but does it fix that annoying wobble?
  • September can’t come soon enough. Here's everything we know so far.

Apple’s next-generation iPhone 17 lineup is still months away, but new leaks are already sparking conversation—especially about the rumored iPhone 17 Air. If the latest reports hold true, Apple’s upcoming model may be thinner than ever, redefining the company's approach to smartphone design.Something is in the Air over at Apple HQ, and this time, it's not a notebook...Photo via Majinbu Official // Something is in the Air over at Apple HQ, and this time, it's not a notebook...

Latest iPhone 17 Air Rumors

Prominent industry leaker Ice Universe recently shared detailed dimensions via X (formerly Twitter), highlighting a surprisingly slim profile for the iPhone 17 Air. According to Ice Universe, the device will measure just 5.5mm thick, not including the camera bump. This makes it significantly thinner than the rumored 8.72mm thickness of the high-end iPhone 17 Pro Max model.

Ice Universe specifically emphasized:

The only difference is the thickness. The iPhone 17 Air is 5.5mm thick, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is 8.72mm thick.

To clarify further, here's a direct comparison in dimensions:

SpecificationiPhone 17 AiriPhone 17 Pro Max
Height163 mm163 mm
Width77.6 mm77.6 mm
Thickness5.5 mm8.72 mm
Display Size6.9 inches6.9 inches
Bezel Thickness1.15 mm1.15 mm

(Source: Ice Universe via X)

The dimensions, notably identical in height, width, and screen size between these two models, suggest Apple may prioritize a uniform user experience from the front, with the dramatic design changes only becoming apparent from the side or back of the device.

Camera and Display

Adding credibility to these claims, recent mockups shared by YouTuber iDeviceHelp, in collaboration with notable Apple leaker Majin Bu, feature a strikingly different rear design for both the iPhone 17 Air and Pro Max models.

Inspired, perhaps unintentionally, by Google's Pixel smartphone, the new iPhone models may feature a horizontal camera bar running across the rear.

This new design choice, if confirmed, could address an annoyance many iPhone users—including myself—experience daily: the frustrating wobble caused by uneven camera bumps when the phone sits on a flat surface. A symmetrical camera bar would alleviate this issue, offering better stability and a cleaner aesthetic overall. The rear camera unit of this year's new iPhones will look considerably different, new rumors confirm. But are these latest rumors true?Photo via Majinbu Official // The rear camera unit of this year's new iPhones will look considerably different, new rumors confirm. But are these latest rumors true?

But this won't come without some trade-offs.

However, Apple’s relentless pursuit of thinness isn't without potential compromises. Reporting by The Information suggests the iPhone 17 Air will omit several familiar hardware elements to accommodate its slender form:

  • It will reportedly lack a dedicated bottom speaker, leaving audio responsibilities solely to the earpiece.
  • The phone is expected to include only a single 48-megapixel rear Fusion camera, combining main and digital zoom capabilities, and dropping the ultra-wide camera entirely.
  • Additionally, the physical SIM card slot, already phased out in the U.S. since the iPhone 14, might also disappear internationally, moving completely to eSIM technology.

A concept rendering of Apple's upcoming 2025 iPhone 17 Air.Photo via MacRumors // A concept rendering of Apple's upcoming 2025 iPhone 17 Air.

These trade-offs may frustrate users who value functionality over aesthetics. Personally, losing the ultra-wide camera feels like a step backward for a premium-tier phone, though Apple may justify the move as a necessary sacrifice to maintain battery life despite its slim build.

Conflicting Rumors

There remains some confusion around the display size for the iPhone 17 Air. Earlier reports from well-known display analyst Ross Young suggested a smaller 6.55-inch screen. However, recent leaks from Ice Universe and corroborating information from leaker Jon Prosser point toward a larger 6.9-inch display, matching the Pro Max model.

This conflicting information isn't unusual—early rumors frequently vary—but it does raise questions about Apple's final decision. If the display size truly mirrors the Pro Max, Apple could be attempting to streamline its flagship line with fewer size variations, despite internal component differences.

Storage and Connectivity

According to leaker @OreXda, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to start with a base storage of 128GB, while the Pro Max would start at 256GB. As usual with Apple, don’t expect expandable storage—especially in a device where internal space comes at such a premium. This feels predictable, yet it’s a point worth noting for users who might otherwise find the base storage insufficient.

All the rumors suggest Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air is going to be incredibly thin.Photo via MacRumors // All the rumors suggest Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air is going to be incredibly thin.

The Air model is also expected to include Apple’s Wi-Fi 7 chip, indicating the company's continued push toward faster connectivity standards.

My Final Thoughts

Apple's previous experiments with variations like the iPhone mini and iPhone Plus lines have shown mixed sales results, suggesting a need to shake things up. Could the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air reinvigorate consumer interest? Possibly—but I’m skeptical about whether a slimmer profile alone is enough to justify losing features like a second speaker or an ultra-wide lens.

September's reveal should clarify these questions. Until then, expect rumors to keep swirling. Whether Apple's gamble on minimalism pays off—or falls flat—remains to be seen.

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.

Published to Apple Scoop on 10th March, 2025.
Luke Everett

Luke Everett

Lead Technology Journalist

Luke Everett is Apple Scoop’s Lead Technology Journalist with 7 years of experience reporting on Apple hardware, software, and breaking news. Known for his investigative insights and in-depth analysis, Luke covers everything from major Apple keynotes to the latest rumors in the industry, helping readers stay ahead of the curve.

Luke's journalism More about iPhone 17 Air
Stories related to iPhone 17 Air

Thinner M6 MacBook Pro Coming in 2026 With OLED, Report Claims

61% reliable 9 mins

iPhone 17 Series: Rumored Launch Date, Pricing, Design, Display, Camera, More

73% reliable 16 mins

Apple’s 2nm A20 Chip: Latest Rumors, Tech Specs, and More

57% reliable 10 mins

iPhone 17 Pro Leak: 12GB RAM, Triple 48MP Cameras, and 3nm A19 Pro Chip

62% reliable 11 mins

Apple Drops Plans for Larger iPhone 17 Air Due to 'Bendgate' Concerns

72% reliable 8 mins

Apple’s Foldable iPhone May Cost Twice as Much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max

60% reliable 11 mins

Apple Considered Removing the USB-C Port from 'iPhone 17 Air'

73% reliable 11 mins

Apple WWDC 2025 Rumors: Expect a Radical Software Overhaul for iPhone, iPad & Mac

66% reliable 9 mins

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Include These 8 New Features

70% reliable 13 mins

iPhone 17 Ultra May Replace 'Pro Max' Model with 3 New Features

61% reliable 12 mins

Apple's Foldable iPad Pro: Rumors, Release Date, Features, and More

57% reliable 11 mins

Here's Why Apple’s Slimmest iPhone May Not Be That Slim

68% reliable 9 mins

macOS 16 Rumors: Release Date, New Features, Supported Devices, and More

58% reliable 9 mins

iOS 19 Rumors: Release Date, Major Redesign, New Features, and Latest Leaks

73% reliable 9 mins

iPhone 17 Dummy Units Leaked in Hands-On Video

70% reliable 9 mins

Apple’s Foldable iPhone: Release Date, Design, Specs, Features, and More

64% reliable 13 mins

Apple’s Foldable iPhone: Why It’s Still Years Away

67% reliable 9 mins

Price Hike Expected for iPhone 18 Pro

68% reliable 8 mins

Apple’s 2026 MacBook Pro: OLED Display With No Notch

61% reliable 8 mins

MacBook Air M4: Release Date, Rumors, Specs, Design, and More

64% reliable 12 mins
Recommended

iPhone 17 Series: Rumored Launch Date, Pricing, Design, Display, Camera, More

73% reliable 16 mins

Apple’s 2nm A20 Chip: Latest Rumors, Tech Specs, and More

57% reliable 10 mins

iPhone 17 Pro Leak: 12GB RAM, Triple 48MP Cameras, and 3nm A19 Pro Chip

62% reliable 11 mins

Apple Drops Plans for Larger iPhone 17 Air Due to 'Bendgate' Concerns

72% reliable 8 mins

Apple Considered Removing the USB-C Port from 'iPhone 17 Air'

73% reliable 11 mins

Apple WWDC 2025 Rumors: Expect a Radical Software Overhaul for iPhone, iPad & Mac

66% reliable 9 mins

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Include These 8 New Features

70% reliable 13 mins

iPhone 17 Ultra May Replace 'Pro Max' Model with 3 New Features

61% reliable 12 mins

Apple's Foldable iPad Pro: Rumors, Release Date, Features, and More

57% reliable 11 mins

Here's Why Apple’s Slimmest iPhone May Not Be That Slim

68% reliable 9 mins

macOS 16 Rumors: Release Date, New Features, Supported Devices, and More

58% reliable 9 mins

iOS 19 Rumors: Release Date, Major Redesign, New Features, and Latest Leaks

73% reliable 9 mins
Apple

Apple

Microsoft

Microsoft

Google

Google

Samsung

Samsung

Meta

Meta

Wallpaper categories


iOS 18

MacBook Pro

iPhone 15 Pro

Black

Dark

Christmas

Anime

Car

Blue

Pink

Gradient

Apple

BMW

iPhone

Red

4K

Purple

Abstract

iPhone 16

Cars

Apple Logo

Green

Art

iOS

iPhone 15

Nature

Orange

Space

Dynamic Island

Gold