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Apple’s rumoured iPhone 17 Air to get a bold new look?
The next potential iPhone is reportedly the company’s slimmest smartphone ever
- PUBLISHED: Mon 12 May 2025, 5:36 PM
Apple is getting ready to shake up its iPhone lineup with a design unlike anything we've seen before. Enter the iPhone 17 Air, reportedly the company’s slimmest smartphone ever — just 5.5mm thick. That’s nearly half the thickness of most current models, signaling a radical shift in Apple’s design language. But does this sleek form factor come at a cost? Let’s take a closer look at what the iPhone 17 Air brings to the table — and where it may fall short.
Where the iPhone 17 Air impresses
Premium Display Without the Pro Price
Apple isn’t cutting corners on the screen. The 17 Air will feature a 6.6-inch OLED display that supports LTPO technology, unlocking features like 120Hz refresh rates and always-on mode — things previously limited to Pro models. For a non-Pro iPhone, that’s a notable upgrade and keeps it in the same screen-size category as the iPhone 16 Plus.
Flagship power under the hood
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Even with its lean design, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to run on the same A19 chip that powers the rest of the iPhone 17 series. Along with 8GB of RAM, that puts it squarely in the performance tier needed to support Apple Intelligence features and next-gen multitasking.
Surprisingly accessible price tag
Despite its cutting-edge design, the iPhone 17 Air won’t demand a premium. According to multiple reports, it’ll start at around $899, keeping it under the psychological $1000 barrier and matching the price of the iPhone 16 Plus.
MagSafe isn’t going anywhere
While there were concerns MagSafe might be sacrificed for a thinner build, recent prototype leaks suggest otherwise. Apple’s magnetic charging and accessory ecosystem will continue to work with the iPhone 17 Air.
Where it may disappoint
A lone rear camera
Photography lovers may want to pause before jumping on the ultra-thin bandwagon. The iPhone 17 Air will come with a single 48MP rear lens — the same sensor used across several iPhones — but no ultra-wide or telephoto capabilities. While it can mimic 2x zoom using in-sensor cropping, it won’t match the flexibility offered by multi-lens systems.
Audio that leaves you wanting more
In a move that may frustrate audiophiles, Apple is reportedly ditching the dual-speaker setup. The iPhone 17 Air will rely on a single speaker, supplemented by an upgraded earpiece. For casual use, it might be fine — but those who care about rich stereo sound may want to keep their AirPods close.
Connectivity trade-offs
The 17 Air is set to debut Apple’s own C1 modem, replacing Qualcomm’s. But early reports suggest this switch means the device will drop mmWave 5G support in the US and support fewer cellular bands overall. That may not matter for most people day-to-day, but it’s a regression on paper. Also, Apple is reportedly eliminating the physical SIM card slot globally, which could impact availability in regions like China, where physical SIM support is still a legal requirement.
Battery life takes a hit
Thinner phone, thinner battery — and it shows. While Apple initially hoped to maintain all-day battery life using newer high-density batteries, newer internal testing indicates that only 60–70 per cent of users can expect to get through the day on a single charge. That’s a step down from the 80–90 per cent benchmark typical of most iPhones. Apple may respond by offering a dedicated battery case to offset the shortfall.
The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most ambitious design statements in years. It’s sleek, futuristic, and still offers much of the performance and display experience found in pricier models. But that thinness comes with its own set of compromises — most notably in camera flexibility, battery endurance, and connectivity options.
It’s a phone that clearly isn’t trying to please everyone — and perhaps that’s the point. The iPhone 17 Air looks tailor-made for those who prioritise design elegance and core performance over all else.
