'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

[MacRumors]

In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick.

"We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote.

If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be a few noteworthy aspects. First, the iPhone 17 Air would become the thinnest iPhone ever, coming in under the current 6.9mm record held by the iPhone 6. Second, the iPhone 17 Air would be around three quarters as thick as any of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models.

While some customers may have hoped that the iPhone 17 Air would be even thinner, there is obviously a limit to how thin the battery and other components can be. If the device comes in around 6mm, it would still be impressively thin and light compared to the increasingly bulkier models released over the past few years.

Here is how the iPhone 17 Air's thickness could compare to other models:

• iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max: 8.25mm
• iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: 7.8mm
• iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max: 8.25mm
• iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: 7.8mm
• iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max: 7.85mm
• iPhone 14 and 14 Plus: 7.8mm
• iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max: 7.65mm
• iPhone 13 and 13 mini: 7.65mm
• iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max: 7.4mm
• iPhone 12 and 12 mini: 7.4mm
• iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max: 8.1mm
• iPhone 11: 8.3mm
• iPhone XS and XS Max: 7.7mm
• iPhone XR: 8.3mm
• iPhone X: 7.7mm
• iPhone 8 Plus: 7.5mm
• iPhone 8: 7.3mm
• iPhone 7 Plus: 7.3mm
• iPhone 7: 7.1mm
• iPhone 6s Plus: 7.3mm
• iPhone 6s: 7.1mm
• iPhone 6 Plus: 7.1mm
• iPhone 6: 6.9mm
• iPhone 17 Air rumor: 6mm

All models prior to the iPhone 6 were between 7.6mm and 12.3mm thick.

While the iPhone 17 Air could be the thinnest iPhone ever, it would not be the thinnest Apple product ever. That record is held by the 2024 version of the 13-inch iPad Pro, which is just 5.1mm thick. In addition, the last iPod nano was 5.4mm thick.

For those who have not been following iPhone 17 Air rumors, 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. Pu has gone with the nickname "iPhone 17 Slim" instead.

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.

Last month, Pu agreed the iPhone 17 Air will have a 6.6-inch display. 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.

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

Article Link: 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

 

[sniffies]

Finally we're getting foldable iPhone

 

[breenmask]

all of that innovation undone by putting an otter box case around it

 

[Butler Trumpet]

I just..... don't really need it to be thinner. I am loving the battery life on my new 16 Pro Max (upgrade from 12)

Same with my M1 MacBook Pro. I came from an i5 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. It was so thin but so underpowered and the battery sucked. My M1 MBP is fantastic but a little thicker - which I'm fine with.

 

[dimplemonkey]

Bendgate 2: Electric Boogaloo

 

[jonnysods]

I have an iPhone 15 Pro, I don't mind the thickness, just want that sweet extra battery life.

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

Finally we're getting foldable iPhone

Let me correct that for ya

After-sale-in-your-pocket foldable

In your face, Lou! This time it won’t get you another 20M subs 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Rayansb]

JerryRigEverything will love this.

 

[contacos]

And the camera bump will make the whole thing pointless.

Give me an iPhone Fold already. It would be a beast running an optimized version of iOS on it. Ever since I got my Galaxy Fold 6, I’ll never be able to go back to a regular phone and I also have an iPhone 16 Pro 😅

 

[jz0309]

whatever it might be, a "thinner" iPhone will not result in higher sales across all iPhones, a foldable would

 

[kalafalas]

If it has a square unibody aluminum design like an iPad I will be very interested, especially if the screen size is the same as a max. I’m happy to loose wireless charging and some battery. Here’s hoping the camera isn’t too compromised though

 

[nfl46]

lol. Don’t worry, add the case to it and so much for 6mm. This phone will be easy to break.

 

[jz0309]

Let me correct that for ya

After-sale-in-your-pocket foldable

In your face, Lou! This time it won’t get you another 20M subs 🤣🤣🤣

with a glass back - "bending" in your pocket won't happen, worse will ...

 

[kiranmk2]

For those that value thinness over performance, screen size & cameras. I do think it will be popular with the fanboys that will get to proove that they have the latest iPhone model (probably in addition to a Pro Max)

 

[gleepskip]

It's annoying - they just want the thinness for marketing. There is little practical benefit in making it thinner. Are they running out of ideas?

 

[surfzen21]

So a high end iPhone that does not shoot spacial video? 🤔

This whole thing seems weird, unless they are already signaling the death of the Vision Pro.

 

[Avenged110]

It doesn't really count if it still has a giant camera tumor hanging off the back of it.

 

[Cloudyskies22]

all of that innovation undone by putting an otter box case around it

An otter box case isn’t the same thickness irrespective of the device.

A 6mm phone + otter box = thinner than a 8mm phone + otter box.

Otter box doesn’t go ‘hey guys let’s make the overall thickness the same, regardless of the phone that is within the case’

 

[winxmac]

Thin body but camera will not be flush like iPhone 4/4s/5/5c/5s/SE 2016

 

[Cloudyskies22]

lol. Don’t worry, add the case to it and so much for 6mm. This phone will be easy to break.

Can you please explain your logic with regard to the case?

 

[Entilzha]

“We hear you, iPhone users. You want more battery. So here’s the thinnest iPhone ever with no room for more battery!”

 

[CharlesShaw]

This has me missing the lightweight, slim, iPhone 6. No need for a case, nearly flush camera, and rounded sides that felt good in the hand.

 

[abatabia]

Is anyone really wanting it to be thinner? One step forward two steps back with iPhone design these days.

 

[antonrg]

if it comes with yet another gigantic screen, I’m not interested. At this rate even 6,1 inch screens are considered small by Apple. Totally ridiculous.

 

[kamyk35]

Finally we're getting foldable iPhone

I suspect we'll be going back to the six hour battery, we had on the iPhone 6....Good luck with that 😏