iPhone 17 Air Almost as Thin as Its Buttons, New Images Show

[MacRumors]

If you missed the video showing dummy models of Apple's all-new super thin iPhone 17 Air that's expected later this year, Sonny Dickson this morning shared some further images of the device in close alignment with the other dummy models in the iPhone 17 lineup, indicating just how thin it is likely to be in comparison.

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be around 5.5mm thick – with a thicker camera bar area – making it the thinnest ‌iPhone‌ to date. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models are rumored to be around 8.725mm thick, and as you can see, it's really noticeable up close.

Impressively, the slimmer device is almost as thin as the buttons on the sides. Rumors suggest that Apple will use a titanium and aluminum chassis for the ‌iPhone‌ to ensure it's strong enough not to bend. No-one wants another iPhone 6 Plus "bendgate" scenario – least of all Apple.

Initially, Apple had designs on making the iPhone 17 Air bigger than its expected 6.6-inch size, but reportedly decided against it because the larger display would make it prone to bending. It suggests Apple has really gone the extra mile in terms of the device's durability.

To achieve this level of thinness, Apple is believed to have settled on a single rear camera to preserve space for the battery, and it is embracing eSIM worldwide to do away with the sim slot. The handset will also use Apple's ultra-efficient custom-designed C1 modem that recently debuted in the iPhone 16e. Altogether, we're expected battery life to equal that of current iPhone models.

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 series around its usual mid-September timeframe, likely alongside new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Air Almost as Thin as Its Buttons, New Images Show

 

[saltukkos]

It feels counterintuitive, but for some reason iPhone Air looks almost twice as thin compared to the regular one, even though it's actually only a 3mm thinner, and I like it

 

[MakeAppleAwesomeAgain]

I had an iPhone 6 (never had a problem with it), and I just looked it up; it was 6.9mm thick, which already felt super thin! Not sure which users they are targeting for this device though.

 

[AndiG]

But, most important: Will it bend?
Will there be a new bend gate II? Why is nobody talking about the AI capabilities of the phone?

 

[mrgrdn]

Looking forward to it, a major milestone for apples upcoming fold

 

[GuruZac]

I think it’ll come down to whether the rumored 17 Air has ProMotion and AoD for me. If it has those features from the Pros, I’ll get a 17 Air. If not, will be another Pro Max for me.

 

[Seanm87]

Looks beautiful but not convinced the battery life won't be terrible. If they can keep it the same as it is now and reduce the thickness that much it will be pretty impressive.

 

[dante_mr]

Curious to see where this model will fall in the lineup. Will it be a new "Air" line or just Plus?

I also wonder if the thinness of this model is a precursor to the Fold. Maybe this "Air" is an off-shoot of the foldable iPhone projects.

 

[tomtad]

What's the second button on the side?

 

[MacKid]

What's the second button on the side?

Camera button

 

[MayaUser]

Hope it has some weight to it...because iphone 5 felt fragile, even if it was well built

 

[Reapro]

Are thin and light devices actually nice to hold? I already thought I was lacking grip holding my iPhone 6.

 

[ps3zocker]

Actually... they made the buttons thinner because the regular buttons are too thick. Or I'm blind.

 

[tomtad]

Curious to see where this model will fall in the lineup. Will it be a new "Air" line or just Plus?

I also wonder if the thinness of this model is a precursor to the Fold. Maybe this "Air" is an off-shoot of the foldable iPhone projects.

I think they'll go with Air. To me I think this is a good move, it's one of the first phones which seems to be aimed at those who want a premium phone but don't care that much about having the very best cameras which are increasingly making phones bulkier and heavier. This phone will have a decent enough camera, but will also be nice and light to hold.

 

[GimmeDatApple]

In my eyes, a phone is only as thin as its thickest part. So no, it’s not 5.5mm thin, it’s really 10.

 

[Danindub]

That camera bump looks massive in comparison to the rest of the body, though...

 

[Parowdy]

Looks like they are putting their stepping-stone-technology into a device. Because to me it looks like half of a folding device, it’s almost as crazy thin as the OPPO Find N5

 

[Parowdy]

In my eyes, a phone is only as thin as its thickest part. So no, it’s not 5.5mm thin, it’s really 10.

Pff, so you’re telling me the MacBook Air wasn’t 2 millimeters thin??

 

[mrgrdn]

In my eyes, a phone is only as thin as its thickest part. So no, it’s not 5.5mm thin, it’s really 10.

If the camera accounted for more than 40% of the area, I would agree with you.

 

[0dd84ll]

For me it just accentuates how terrible that camera bump has always been. Not sure Jobs would have approved

 

[BelgianChoklit]

In my eyes, a phone is only as thin as its thickest part. So no, it’s not 5.5mm thin, it’s really 10.

I see what you're saying. However, when you'll be using the phone, it's the thinnest part you'll be experiencing most, because of how you're holding it. So I think it would be perfectly legit to market is as thin as it will be, because you're not holding the camera part.

 

[darkcompass]

But, most important: Will it bend?
Will there be a new bend gate II? Why is nobody talking about the AI capabilities of the phone?

Oh it will bend.
I know battery tech is developing well, but, I'd rather have the "thicker style" of phone with double the battery capacity.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

The built quality doesn't look as nice as my iPhone 15 Pro. Really wish they'd stick with titanium.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

I'm sure we're not that far from seeing the first iPhone withour a port.

 

[Le0M]

It would be interesting to have cameras that were "attacheable" magnetically to the back of the device.
You could keep the cameras in the pocket, and just take out the awesomely thin and light phone, and then attach the cameras only when in need to take a photo.