All-New 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Feature Single 48MP Rear Camera, 8GB of RAM, and More

[MacRumors]

In recent months, several credible sources have claimed that Apple plans to release a redesigned, significantly thinner iPhone 17 model next year. The device's name is not yet known, so we are referring to it as the "iPhone 17 Air" for now.

There have been conflicting rumors about the design and specifications for the device, but most sources have agreed that it will have around a 6.6-inch display. In July, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects the device to have a standard A19 chip, a Dynamic Island, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G modem.

In a research note this week with investment bank Haitong International, analyst Jeff Pu agreed that the slim iPhone 17 model will have a 6.6-inch display, and an A19 chip manufactured with TSMC's same 3nm process that is used for the A18 Pro chip. He also expects the device to feature an aluminum frame, Face ID, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a 24-megapixel front camera, and 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence.

Pu expects the slim iPhone 17 model to have a noticeable new design compared to previous iPhone models. He said the device will be a mid-tier iPhone that replaces the Plus model, as he does not expect an iPhone 17 Plus in next year's lineup.

Apple will likely unveil the "iPhone 17 Air" in September 2025, so the device is still far away from launching, and some features could change over time.

Pu has proven to be a mostly-accurate source of info for upcoming Apple products.

Article Link: All-New 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Feature Single 48MP Rear Camera, 8GB of RAM, and More

 

[Darren.h]

3nm? I am waiting for the iPhone 18 and 2nm chip.

 

[zahuh]

I want this to be true but it's sounding more like the iPhone SE

 

[blairh]

Legit hyped for this. Love my 16 PM but it is way too heavy.

 

[abatabia]

I feel like this will confuse the lineup. How will it slot in with the regular 17 and SE next year? Below them? Above them? Genuinely curious.

 

[Rayansb]

"all-new" means bupkis with Apple. It's like this year's "built from the ground up" they forgot to mention by ground they meant last year's model.

 

[ellpee]

Sounds more like an iPod touch or something new they’re not going to sell the thinnest iPhone for less than the rest of the lineup.

 

[Shix]

a completely uneccesary iphone to add. especially if its more expensive than the pro max version. if its the same price as the plus version and is a replacement. i suppose it's acceptable.

 

[N69AP]

I think the single camera makes sense with the mechanical aperture rumor. If you're only going to have one camera, you'll want it to be more flexible.

 

[JPack]

We've already seen the battery adhesive for this thing. It's not going to have good battery life.

The only interesting thing about Slim is the use of Apple baseband. But we should see that in SE4 already.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

8GB RAM on the non-pro iPhone. Does that mean we can hope for at least 16GB base on a Mac soon?

 

[JPack]

I think the single camera makes sense with the mechanical aperture rumor. If you're only going to have one camera, you'll want it to be more flexible.

It won't have mechanical aperture for the same reason why it won't have a periscope lens. We've seen this tech on Pura 70 and it'll add to the thickness.

 

[hieranonymous]

How about giving us a chonky iPhone Ultra that uses the Apple Watch Ultra design language?

 

[dannyyankou]

Slimmer Apple product with fewer features and a higher price? Where have I seen that before?

 

[WLS]

Replaces the 17 plus but smaller - so iPhone 17 minus?

 

[winxmac]

iPad
iPad mini
iPad Air
iPad Pro

iPhone
iPhone mini
iPhone Air
iPhone Pro

 

[JPack]

I feel like this will confuse the lineup. How will it slot in with the regular 17 and SE next year? Below them? Above them? Genuinely curious.

Probably $999. Improves ASP compared to $899 Plus model. The iPhone 17 Pro will move to $1,099 by deleting the 128GB option, a la iPhone 16 Pro Max.

 

[sw1tcher]

... analyst Jeff Pu agreed that the slim iPhone 17 model will have a 6.6-inch display, and an A19 chip manufactured with TSMC's same 3nm process that is used for the A18 Pro chip. He also expects the device to feature an aluminum frame, Face ID, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a 24-megapixel front camera, and 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence.

Pu expects the slim iPhone 17 model to have a noticeable new design compared to previous iPhone models. He said the device will be a mid-tier iPhone that replaces the Plus model, as he does not expect an iPhone 17 Plus in next year's lineup.

This seems more like an iPhone SE Plus than a iPhone 17 Plus replacement if it will only have a single rear camera like how iPhone SE's do.

iPhone 16 and 16 Plus have dual rear cameras (a 48 megapixel and 12 megapixel ultra wide). If this is a iPhone 17 Plus replacement, it would be a downgrade if it only has a single 48 megapixel rear camera.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

8GB RAM on the non-pro iPhone. Does that mean we can hope for at least 16GB base on a Mac soon?

The non-pro iPhone 16 has 8gb of RAM, and you have always been able to option up the ram on any model of Mac, so I don't think it really means anything.

 

[profets]

It almost feels like they're trying some kind of refreshed design, kind of like iPhone X at the time, but also weird that it'll be below the Pro in terms of specs.

Something very odd about it, especially having just a single camera.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I'd like to replace my 13 mini with the latest and greatest, but not with something that has a screen over 1" larger.

 

[MrENGLISH]

I'm all for Apple making products for everyone. This particular one just isn't for me though.

 

[v0lume4]

This is getting so weird. It's almost like a proof of concept device, similar to the original MacBook Air (the one Steve pulled out of an envelope).

How much of a market is there for a phone where it's selling point is just that it looks cool, even though it's a neutered device? I don't know.

Well, we asked for a smaller camera bump and we got one, eh? Ha!

Edit - I see @dannyyankou is already at it with the MacBook Air comparison. Agreed.

 

[mattopotamus]

Lighter with a smaller camera bump would probably push me to the max size phone. Please, for the love of God, include a pro motion display.

 

[mattopotamus]

This is getting so weird. It's almost like a proof of concept device, similar to the original MacBook Air (the one Steve pulled out of an envelope).

How much of a market is there for a phone where it's selling point is just that it looks cool, even though it's a neutered device? I don't know.

Well, we asked for a smaller camera bump and we got one, eh? Ha!

I want a large phone for the battery, but I want it lighter and pro motion is a must. The plus would be that phone if it had pro motion.