A recent article from The Information sheds light on Apple’s development of an ultra-slim device, dubbed the “iPhone 17 Air,” which is expected to launch next year. The report states that prototypes of the iPhone 17 Air measure between 5 and 6 millimeters in thickness, a significant reduction from the iPhone 16’s 7.8 mm.
This drive for an exceptionally thin design has reportedly led Apple engineers into several challenges…
Firstly, The Information cites various sources indicating that Apple engineers are struggling to accommodate the battery and thermal materials within the device. A previous report concerning the supply chain also highlighted Apple’s difficulties with battery technology for the iPhone 17 Air.
The iPhone 6 currently retains the title of Apple’s slimmest iPhone, measuring at 6.9 mm, while the iPhone 6 Plus is slightly thicker at 7.1 mm. In comparison, the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro is just 5.4 mm thick, and the 13-inch iPad Pro model is even thinner, measuring 5.1 mm.
- iPhone 16: 7.80mm
- iPhone 16 Plus: 7.80mm
- iPhone 16 Pro: 8.25mm
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 8.25mm
An additional detail from the report indicates that the iPhone 17 Air will feature only a single earpiece speaker due to its ultra-thin design; current models typically include a second speaker at the bottom.
Apple is making trade-offs in other design aspects to achieve the slim profile of the iPhone. For instance, the thin design necessitates a single speaker in the earpiece since there isn’t space for a second speaker at the bottom, which is standard in other models, according to one insider.
Furthermore, The Information confirms that the iPhone 17 Air will incorporate a solitary camera on the back within a “large, centered camera bump.”
Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be “among the first iPhones” to utilize Apple’s proprietary 5G modem. However, current performance metrics indicate that Apple’s modem still lags behind Qualcomm’s 5G chips, although it is more efficient and does not support mmWave 5G:
Despite that, Apple’s modem underperforms compared to Qualcomm’s, exhibiting lower peak speeds and slightly less reliability in maintaining connections to cellular networks. Furthermore, Apple’s modem currently lacks mmWave support, a technology introduced with the iPhone 12 that enables higher cellular speeds in designated areas.
Lastly, The Information notes that Apple engineers have yet to figure out how to incorporate a physical SIM card tray in the iPhone 17 Air. While Apple has been gradually moving away from physical SIM cards in the U.S. and other countries, a SIM card slot remains essential for devices sold in China.
“Chinese telecommunications companies do not support eSIM technology as it complicates their ability to verify users’ identities,” explained Edison Lee, who leads technology, telecom, and software research at Jefferies. “China mandates a real-name registration system for all mobile users, which is why eSIM support is typically limited to devices like the Apple Watch and iPad.”
The iPhone 17 Air is reportedly in the initial stages of production trials at Foxconn and has recently progressed from proto-1 to proto-2 status.
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