Apple is set to launch the iPhone 17 Air this fall, introducing a slimmer option to its lineup, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The new model aims to blend high-end and low-end features while reflecting a significant design effort by Apple engineers.
Apple’s iPhone 17 Air will be the thinnest iPhone yet
Similar to the MacBook Air, the iPhone 17 Air will be thinner than standard models, relying on newly developed components and technologies to maintain battery life despite a reduction in size. Gurman notes that it took a “herculean effort” from Apple teams to create a device with thinner batteries while preserving functionality.
The iPhone 17 Air was initially considered as Apple’s first “completely port-free iPhone,” relying solely on wireless charging and cloud-based data syncing. However, the company decided against this approach mainly due to concerns regarding compliance with European regulations that mandate USB-C connectors for smartphones.
This iteration of the iPhone will maintain a 6.6-inch screen, slim borders, ProMotion technology for smooth scrolling, and a standard-sized Dynamic Island interface. Key enhancements will include a Camera Control button. The device, categorized under the code name D23, will also maintain a battery life comparable to current models.
In terms of specifications, the iPhone 17 Air will feature a single 48-megapixel camera and will be powered by an A19 chip, not the higher-end A19 Pro used in Pro versions. It will also lack a physical SIM card slot, further distinguishing it from other models in the lineup.
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max to have liquid cooling
The device will be equipped with Apple’s in-house modem chip, dubbed C1, which offers more power efficiency compared to Qualcomm’s offerings. However, this chip will not support mmWave technology, limiting some aspects of 5G capability available only in the Pro models.
Apple abandoned a prototype with a 6.9-inch screen to avoid potential bending issues akin to the “Bendgate” controversy from the iPhone 6 Plus. The design modifications aim to establish a new standard for future iPhone models, potentially paving the way for a foldable version similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold by 2026.
The anticipated price for the iPhone 17 Air is approximately $900, aligning it with the pricing of the iPhone 16 Plus. If this model succeeds, Apple plans to pursue a fully port-free design in its future releases, reflecting an ongoing evolution in its product offerings.
Apple is also intending to redesign its Pro-level phones, which have retained similar aesthetics since 2023. More substantial changes, including deeper integration of components beneath the display, are expected by 2026 or 2027, moving towards a continuous, uninterrupted screen design.
Featured image credit: Samuel Angor/Unsplash
