Apple Canned Larger iPhone 17 Air Model Over Fears of Bendgate 2.0

[TSloper74]

Apple prototyped a larger ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air with a 6.9-inch display, but ultimately decided not to go ahead with the device because of fears that it could be susceptible to bending, according to a new report.

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, writing in his latest Power On newsletter:
Earlier this month, we reported on a rumor out of China claiming that the iPhone 17 Air shares the same dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with the only difference being in the thickness of the devices. It's quite possible the rumor had its origins in Apple's canned prototype.

Corroborating rumors indicate that the iPhone 17 Air that Apple will launch in September will feature a 6.6-inch display with 120Hz ProMotion support, a Dynamic Island, an A19 chip, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, and Apple's custom-made C1 modem. Gurman has been told that the device may start at roughly $899 in the U.S., which is the same price point as the iPhone 16 Plus that the ultra-thin device is believed to be replacing in Apple's smartphone lineup.

Article Link: Apple Canned Larger iPhone 17 Air Model Over Fears of Bendgate 2.0

I'll never understand this obsession with getting as thin as possible. Too thin and it won't be comfortable to hold. If you think it is too heavy, you should probably hit the gym.

 

[1037]

No problem, just make it out of liquid metal!

That isn't scheduled until iPhone 23.

 

[azentropy]

Should be a smaller version.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I'm not a materials engineer, but I'm surprised if there would be that big of a strength difference between a chassis for a 6.6" display vs. a chassis for a 6.9" display.

 

[Froilan]

Apple prototyped a larger ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air with a 6.9-inch display, but ultimately decided not to go ahead with the device because of fears that it could be susceptible to bending, according to a new report.

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, writing in his latest Power On newsletter:
Earlier this month, we reported on a rumor out of China claiming that the iPhone 17 Air shares the same dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with the only difference being in the thickness of the devices. It's quite possible the rumor had its origins in Apple's canned prototype.

Corroborating rumors indicate that the iPhone 17 Air that Apple will launch in September will feature a 6.6-inch display with 120Hz ProMotion support, a Dynamic Island, an A19 chip, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, and Apple's custom-made C1 modem. Gurman has been told that the device may start at roughly $899 in the U.S., which is the same price point as the iPhone 16 Plus that the ultra-thin device is believed to be replacing in Apple's smartphone lineup.

Article Link: Apple Canned Larger iPhone 17 Air Model Over Fears of Bendgate 2.0

iPhone 17 Air with a 6.9-inches display? iPhone 17 Pro Max, but with thinner bezels and a thinner display! 🤩 But i'm still waiting for this base iPhone 17

.

 

[sunapple]

I'll never understand this obsession with getting as thin as possible. Too thin and it won't be comfortable to hold. If you think it is too heavy, you should probably hit the gym.

For one it’s an engineering challenge that could lead to innovations.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

I used to be a Bendgate denier but 2 years in, my wife's 6 Plus bent.

 

[Skimac]

I used to be a Bendgate denier but 2 years in, my wife's 6 Plus bent.

Same happing to me I never really paid any attention to people talking about their phone bending until after a year I started seeing a slight curve on my iPhone XS max

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I'll never understand this obsession with getting as thin as possible. Too thin and it won't be comfortable to hold. If you think it is too heavy, you should probably hit the gym.

Too heavy is a preference. It's not too heavy to carry, but I don't like it.

Don't like =\= ability.

 

[TechRunner]

If they fear it could bend, why not make it even smaller? A 6.1” iPhone Air would be great. Even better, a more compact 5.8” iPhone Air, that could be marketed as the most lightweight iPhone.

I would dump my 16PM in a heartbeat for a 5.8" version.

 

[FatLouie]

I'll never understand this obsession with getting as thin as possible. Too thin and it won't be comfortable to hold. If you think it is too heavy, you should probably hit the gym.

Yep...thin body is defeated with huge camera bump and smaller battery. I never quite came to a reasonable understanding of why the manufacturers do that. Then again, I still don't understand why my I can't use my iPad as a cell phone also.

 

[FatLouie]

For one it’s an engineering challenge that could lead to innovations.

True but the engineering challenge led to a lot of owners of Apple and Samsung products having bent phones and broken glass.

 

[sunapple]

True but the engineering challenge led to a lot of owners of Apple and Samsung products having bent phones and broken glass.

Which was terrible, but it's now a thing of the past.

 

[ksec]

So they will fear about Bendgate when the phone is at 6.9" but not at 6.6".

 

[Kay_Ess]

But where will the Air be positioned? Like the iPad Air is in between the iPad and the iPad Pro. But this’ll be a sort of 17e but thinner?

I’m very happy to read the Air will get 120 Hz though. Then they can do that for the MacBook Air in 2026 too. I hope. I can dream right 😝

 

[MacLoveMacHate]

I'm sure people won't be trying to bend the **** out of these in their reviews...

 

[sunapple]

But where will the Air be positioned? Like the iPad Air is in between the iPad and the iPad Pro. But this’ll be a sort of 17e but thinner?

I’m very happy to read the Air will get 120 Hz though. Then they can do that for the MacBook Air in 2026 too. I hope. I can dream right 😝

It would be confusing having an Air model thats lacks some of the basics like a second camera, compared to iPad where the Air model is better than regular and closer to iPad Pro.

But the same could be said for the original MacBook Air which took a few years to become the best model for most people.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Make an iPhone Mini Air!

No bendgate issues there!

 

[stevefeinstein]

Apple prototyped a larger ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air with a 6.9-inch display, but ultimately decided not to go ahead with the device because of fears that it could be susceptible to bending, according to a new report.

The feedback loop worked.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm going to call this now, after Apple inevitable one day goes through their next slump, a new CEO will take the reigns and slim down the iPhone lineup back to 2-3 models, citing it's "less complicated for the end costumer" and in reality saving on design/manufacturing costs.

💯

The ball is all teed up for a new CEO to come in and hit a few easy ones here

 

[Rychiar]

still don't know why anyone would want this. didntwe learn with the iPhone 6?

 

[sunapple]

still don't know why anyone would want this. didntwe learn with the iPhone 6?

At least iPhone 6 sold exceptionally well. Not sure about that this time as it doesn't seem to be aimed at high volumes.

 

[coasterider]

How many model years do I have to wait for an update to the 13 mini? Seems like the logical form factor. Why do they keep pushing for bigger phones?

 

[segfaultdotorg]

"You're holding it wrong." - Steve Jobs

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think Apple shelved it because of fears it might actually cut into iPhone 17 Pro Max (neé Ultra) model.