'iPhone 17 Air' Features Revealed in New Report: As Thin as 5mm, Single Speaker, and More

[MacRumors]

The Information's Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu today published an in-depth report about the "iPhone 17 Air," revealing several new details about the device.

The report said prototypes of the device have a thickness of between 5mm and 6mm, which would make it the thinnest iPhone ever. In comparison, iPhone 16 models are 7.8mm thick and iPhone 16 Pro models are 8.25mm thick.

Due to this ultra-thin design, some design compromises are necessary.

The device currently lacks a physical SIM card tray, the report said, but the design is not yet finalized. This means the device could rely entirely on eSIM technology. In the U.S., all iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models lack a physical SIM card tray already, but all iPhones sold in other countries still have one for now.

The device is said to have only a single speaker, in the earpiece, as there is apparently not enough room for a second speaker on the bottom edge.

As previously rumored, the "iPhone 17 Air" is expected to be equipped with an Apple-designed 5G modem that is smaller and more power efficient than Qualcomm modems used in current iPhones. However, the report said that Apple's modem will lack ultra-fast mmWave 5G support, and have slower overall cellular data speeds compared to the Qualcomm modems.

Unsurprisingly, the device will also have a "smaller battery" than current iPhones, but it remains to be seen how battery life ultimately compares.

One final compromise relates to cameras. The report said the "iPhone 17 Air" currently has a "large, centered camera bump on its back" with a single camera, whereas iPhone 16 models have two to three rear cameras.

The device is said to be in early production trials at Foxconn. Apple is apparently struggling to fit an adequate battery and some other components into the ultra-thin chassis, but it still has time to overcome these challenges.

Previously-rumored features for the "iPhone 17 Air" include a 6.6-inch display, aluminum frame, A19 chip, Face ID, Dynamic Island, single 48-megapixel rear camera, 24-megapixel front camera, and 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence.

The device should launch in September 2025 alongside the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models, with no iPhone 17 Plus expected. The report said the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature an aluminum frame, a rectangular rear camera bump, and more.

Article Link: 'iPhone 17 Air' Features Revealed in New Report: As Thin as 5mm, Single Speaker, and More

 

[63W]

I see a lot of bent iPhones in the future.

 

[Juicy Box]

Hoping for a smaller size, around the 13 Mini size.

 

[antiprotest]

It's an updated iPhone 6. Will probably be nice for those who prioritize lightness.

 

[sw1tcher]

As previously rumored, the "iPhone 17 Air" is expected to be equipped with an Apple-designed 5G modem that is smaller and more power efficient than Qualcomm modems used in current iPhones. However, the report said that Apple's modem will lack ultra-fast mmWave 5G support, and have slower overall cellular data speeds compared to the Qualcomm modems.

What's the point then? That's a step backwards from iPhone 16's as they all (in the U.S.) support mmWave 5G

Oh, that's right. Apple's margins.

 

[gpat]

As an Android user, I'd buy this only to have something different to keep in my pocket for a change.

 

[JPack]

Far too many compromises, feels like another butterfly keyboard incoming.

 

[Jett0516]

Who is this phone for?

 

[Ctrlos]

Who is this phone for?

It depends on the screen size. The larger iPhones are currently rather heavy.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

If it's not thinner from the camera lens to the front, it's not thinner.

I don't really care about thinness, but I would like a significantly lighter phone.

 

[jb310]

Smaller battery, one camera lens, no stereo speakers, slower cellular speeds...

Is this some kind of... extra-minimalist iPhone SE...? 😅

 

[YankeeSR23]

Who is this phone for?

I’m asking myself the same question. This phone is a downgrade in a bunch of ways, yet Apple will try and market it in a way to seem like a high end phone because it’s thin and people have been asking for thin phones (personally I’d rather have a phone thick enough that the camera bump doesn’t exist anymore and it has amazing battery life).

With the new SE coming out soon, I honestly don’t know who this iPhone air is for.

 

[JosephAW]

We’ll call it the iPhone 17 SE. No internal storage, everything is stored on iCloud. $399

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

It's an updated iPhone 6.

All of these goofs ignore the fact that the iPhone 6 had an aluminum and plastic back.
The 17 series will at least have some glass on the back.
and glass does not bend.

 

[tomtad]

All these compromises are why phones aren't this thin.

I'd rather have a larger battery, better speaker and more cameras. Who cares if it's 5 mm thicker.

 

[Entilzha]

I guess Apple REALLY wants to push people towards the Pro models next year.

 

[techyOS]

All of these goofs ignore the fact that the iPhone 6 had an aluminum and plastic back.
The 17 series will at least have some glass on the back.
and glass does not bend.

correct, it shatters.

 

[wanha]

What's the point then? That's a step backwards from iPhone 16's as they all (in the U.S.) support mmWave 5G

Oh, that's right. Apple's margins.

What exactly do you need gigabit speeds for on an iPhone?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

What's the point then? That's a step backwards from iPhone 16's as they all (in the U.S.) support mmWave 5G

Oh, that's right. Apple's margins.

I've had a phone capable of mmWave 5g since the 13 Pro was released, and I've not used it a single time.

 

[iOSBry]

What exactly do you need gigabit speeds for on an iPhone?

For my speed tests of course!

/s

 

[wanha]

As an Android user, I'd buy this only to have something different to keep in my pocket for a change.

Why not just buy a packet of chewing gum then?

 

[sw1tcher]

What exactly do you need gigabit speeds for on an iPhone?

That's not the point. The point is that a new generation iPhone (iPhone 17 Air) should not be a step backwards from prior iPhones (iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13) as they all support (in the U.S. at least) mmWave 5G.

 

[Rogifan]

What is the point of this device? Who is it for? Where is it expected to sit in the lineup?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

That's not the point. The point is that a new generation of iPhones (iPhone 17 Air) should not be a step backwards from prior iPhones (iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13) as they all support (in the U.S. at least) mmWave 5G.

I don't consider mmWave 5g is a step forward with anything since it you have to be line or sight to the tower to get it, and if so much as person walks in front of you, it cuts out.

 

[klasma]

No speakers and large camera bump are pretty much a deal breaker.