Various reports indicate that Apple is gearing up to unveil a brand new iPhone 17 model in 2025 featuring a substantial redesign. Here’s what we know so far about the anticipated iPhone 17 Air (which may also go by the name iPhone 17 Slim or something entirely different).
Design of the iPhone 17 Air
The standout feature of the iPhone 17 Air will be its design. As per The Information, Apple is emphasizing aesthetics over practicality with this iteration. We can anticipate a noteworthy redesign in comparison to existing iPhone models, albeit with potential sacrifices in higher-end specifications and features.
This upcoming model is said to be “significantly thinner” than the current iPhones. The Information reports that it will use aluminum rather than titanium, which is currently found in the Pro models. However, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has mentioned that the iPhone 17 Air might combine both titanium and aluminum.
Display Features
Analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu have indicated that the iPhone 17 Slim will sport a 6.6-inch display, boasting a resolution roughly at 2,740 x 1,260 pixels. More specifically, Ross Young has hinted at a display size of 6.55 inches. The screen is expected to incorporate ProMotion technology with a refresh rate reaching 120Hz.
Additionally, The Information mentions that the iPhone 17 Air will feature a “smaller hole and pill-shaped cutout for its front-facing camera and sensors.” This could be attributed to new “metalens” technology that Apple is reportedly developing for the proximity sensor. Jeff Pu has also noted that this “metalens” technology may significantly minimize the size of the Face ID sensor.
Moreover, a rumor circulating on Weibo in March suggested that Apple is working on a new coating technology for future iPhone displays, which may debut with the iPhone 17 series. This technology is rumored to enhance scratch resistance and introduce an anti-reflection layer.
Camera Specifications
Insiders reveal that a significant design alteration for the iPhone 17 Slim will be the inclusion of a single camera on its rear. This change departs from the iPhone 16’s dual-camera setup and the triple-camera arrangement on the iPhone 16 Pro. This adjustment is one of the trade-offs made to achieve a sleeker and thinner profile for the iPhone 17 Air.
The rear camera is anticipated to be the same 48MP sensor as seen in the current iPhone 16 models. However, the front camera is expected to see an upgrade from 12MP to 24MP across the entire iPhone 17 lineup.
Interestingly, The Information has stated that the rear camera of the iPhone 17 Air may be switched from its traditional position in the upper-left corner to a new central top layout, marking a substantial shift in the long-standing design layout.
Performance Features
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be powered by an A19 chip instead of the A19 Pro chip, along with 8GB of RAM. This sets it apart from the iPhone 17 Pro models, which are said to feature the A19 Pro chip coupled with 12GB of RAM.
Details regarding the performance capabilities of the A19 chip are scarce, but Apple is projected to delay the switch to TSMC’s next-generation 2nm fabrication until 2026. This indicates that both the A19 and A19 Pro chips will be manufactured on a 3nm process that is anticipated to utilize an enhanced N3P fabrication for better performance and efficiency.
Modem Capabilities
The iPhone 17 Air may be among the first models to feature Apple’s proprietary 5G modem. Currently, iPhones utilize Qualcomm’s modems, but Apple has been focused on developing its own technology to decrease dependence on Qualcomm for years.
Reports suggest that the forthcoming iPhone SE 4, set for early 2025, will be the pioneer in using Apple’s modem technology. Ming-Chi Kuo has confirmed that the iPhone 17 Air will adopt this custom modem, which will support 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS functionalities.
Pricing Predictions
As reported by The Information, the iPhone 17 Air “might be priced higher than the iPhone Pro Max” models, indicating that the starting price could be around $1,300 or more, given the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,200.
Nonetheless, analyst Jeff Pu has indicated that he expects the iPhone 17 Slim to introduce an entirely new design and form factor that would serve as a “replacement” for the Plus model. It remains unclear whether this replacement would pertain to pricing, screen dimensions, or another element.
Generally, marketing and pricing specifics are the last details to emerge about a new iPhone—if they emerge at all—due to the fact that most rumors about hardware originate from Apple’s supply chain, while pricing and marketing insights typically remain within Apple’s inner circles.
Expected Release Date for the iPhone 17 Air
The iPhone 17 lineup is projected to be announced and launched in September 2025. As is typical, this timeline may adjust based on production schedules and supply chain factors.
It is also crucial to acknowledge that given the timeline, there remains a considerable chance that Apple’s plans could evolve before the announcement.
What are your thoughts on the speculations surrounding the iPhone 17 Air? Would you consider sacrificing some specs and performance for an ultra-thin iPhone? We’d love to hear your opinion in the comments.
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