Rumor has it, we might quickly see an ultrathin iPhone. The rumored iPhone 17 Air — or it could be referred to as the iPhone Slim — may doubtlessly exchange the present iPhone Plus amid Apple’s subsequent iPhone launch within the coming months.
The buzzed-about “Air” is getting plenty 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 cellphone. 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 warfare. Over social media, Trump threatened that iPhones made exterior the US would face 25% tariffs when imported, which means Apple’s rumored upcoming skinny cellphone may get dearer earlier than it is even been formally introduced.
Here is the thin on what we may anticipate with the latest iPhone.
iPhone 17 Air launch date: Is the slimmer iPhone coming this 12 months?
For almost a decade, Apple has held an occasion in September to announce its new telephones. This 12 months we anticipate 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 newest to hitch the ultrathin cellphone pattern this 12 months. Final week, I bought 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 stands out as the final to comply with this fall-release mannequin, in accordance with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a report from The Data. Beginning with the iPhone 18, Apple will reportedly cut up its cellphone releases in order that lower-cost iPhones launch within the first half of the 12 months (beforehand reserved for iPhone SE fashions) and higher-end professional fashions are introduced within the latter half. That may probably 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 probably be capable of preorder a brand new iPhone the Friday after the announcement, with the cellphone transport per week later.
What is going to the iPhone 17 Air price?
Early rumors about an iPhone 17 Air hinted that it may price much more than the iPhone 17 Professional, however a March Bloomberg report steered the cellphone may price round $900. That price ticket would align with the rumor that the “Air” may exchange the Plus, which at the moment 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 principally escaped further taxes by stockpiling stock and getting most of its merchandise on a tariff exemption checklist.
Apple has moved some manufacturing of US iPhones to India to keep away from the steeper tariffs imposed on China. Nevertheless, Trump just lately mentioned he pushed Apple CEO Tim Cook 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 predicted to elevate the worth of the iPhone. These worth hikes are rumored to start out with the iPhone 17 line, so put together now to pay extra for “Air.”
iPhone 17 Air digital camera: potential downgrade?
Among the many rumored potential sacrifices Apple might should make to get a skinnier cellphone is limiting the digital camera options.
The rumored iPhone 17 line is getting a brand new digital camera bar that extends throughout the width of the cellphone. However Entrance Web page Tech shared an iPhone 17 Air video in February that confirmed a bodily mockup of the cellphone primarily based on rumors. One of many extra shocking reveals was a smaller digital camera bar with one lens on the left, suggesting the “Air” cellphone has a single rear digital camera, just like the iPhone 16E ($599). It is not clear if the digital camera could be the identical because the 16E or if Apple would go the route Samsung did and embrace the principle digital camera from the iPhone 17 Professional.
The only digital camera principle is backed up by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a Bloomberg report, which mentioned that the rumored Air might not have the ultrawide and 5x telephoto lenses which have develop into staples of Apple’s premium iPhones.
In a bit of excellent information, it is also rumored that the front-facing “selfie” digital camera on all iPhone 17 fashions, together with the Air, will likely be upgraded to 24 megapixels, in accordance with analyst Jeff Pu.
iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Professional
It could be getting plenty 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 accordance with analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo. If correct, that might 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 incorporates 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 could be a Professional Movement show just like the one discovered on iPhone Professional fashions.
If the rumored Air lives as much as its identify, then the most important potential benefit it may provide 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,” mentioned that the rumored iPhone 17 Air weighs roughly 145 grams (5.11 ounces). Evaluate 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 predicted to have superslim bezels in comparison with the remainder of the road, together with a Digicam 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 could possibly be determining methods to cut back the battery measurement with out compromising battery life.
Initially, it was assumed {that a} skinnier iPhone would merely have a diminished battery life since there could be much less area to accommodate a big battery. However extra just lately, AppleInsider reported {that a} skinnier iPhone may use a silicon-anode battery that might assist prolong its battery life.
Yeux1122 mentioned the battery capability is 2,800mAh, primarily based on particulars that originate with “mass manufacturing confirmed pattern,” in accordance with MacRumors. It added {that a} excessive density battery within the Air may enhance 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 commonly primarily based on insider data or leaked data from the groups engaged on the iPhone’s design, however these plans can proceed to evolve and usually are not essentially mirrored within the ultimate product. We’ll solely be capable of verify these rumors with certainty when Apple formally releases the subsequent iPhone and we will see it for ourselves.
