The buzz around Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 lineup is consistently growing, and while the full reveal is still months away, a clearer picture of the design changes is emerging, particularly for the highly anticipated iPhone 17 Air.
Leaks, CAD files, renders, and now hands-on videos of dummy units are providing an unprecedented look at what could be Apple’s most radically redesigned iPhone in years. The spotlight is firmly on the iPhone 17 Air, a device seemingly engineered for extreme thinness, and as new details surface, we’re beginning to understand the trade-offs Apple might be making to achieve this form factor.
The most striking aspect of the iPhone 17 Air, as highlighted by Sam Kohn of AppleTrack, is its incredibly slim profile. Reportedly measuring just 5.5mm thick, this device would dwarf the current iPhone 16 Pro’s 8.25mm, making it the thinnest iPhone in the lineup by a significant margin. Achieving this level of thinness necessitates a fundamental rethinking of internal component placement.
Dummy units reveal a key design quirk: the USB-C port is no longer centered along the bottom edge. Instead, it’s noticeably shifted towards the rear of the device. This unconventional placement likely stems from the need to accommodate display components within the drastically reduced internal space. While a seemingly minor detail, this deviation from Apple’s typically meticulous symmetry might be a point of contention for design purists.
Further evidence of Apple’s space-saving measures can be seen in the redesigned speaker grilles. Instead of the familiar five holes on either side of the charging port, the iPhone 17 Air appears to feature only two. While only one side typically houses the actual speaker, this reduction could potentially impact the device’s audio output quality. Fitting a battery, processor, display components, and speakers within such a slender frame inevitably requires compromises, and audio performance might be one of them.
The pursuit of thinness also extends to the rear camera system. Unlike the multi-lens setups expected on the other iPhone 17 models, the Air is rumored to sport a single 48-megapixel lens. While this lens is expected to offer at least 2x optical zoom capabilities through cropping, the versatility of multiple lenses will be absent. This simplification undoubtedly contributes to the thinner design but might deter users who prioritize advanced photographic capabilities.
Adding to the list of potential compromises, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be eSIM-only globally, eliminating the physical SIM card slot entirely. While this move saves internal space, it could present challenges for users in regions with limited eSIM support. Even with Apple’s efforts to integrate its own power-efficient 5G modem and Wi-Fi chip, questions remain about whether the battery life can truly match that of thicker iPhone models.
Despite these potential drawbacks, the iPhone 17 Air is still expected to pack a punch in terms of performance. Rumors suggest it will be powered by Apple’s next-generation A19 chip and feature a substantial 12GB of RAM. The device is also anticipated to boast a large 6.6-inch OLED display with ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates. However, it remains uncertain whether Apple will extend its Always-On Display feature to this more streamlined model.
