Other iPhone 17 Air/Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro in 2025

[SmugMaverick]

So we know a new model is entering the game next year, goodbye Plus model.

Air/Ultra will have 120hz display, 6.6" OLED, super thin, 8GB RAM, single camera lens in a pixel 9-like camera bar.

17 Pro will be the same as the 16, 15, 14, 13, 12 Pro in terms of design and the same camera layout since the 11 Pro 😴😴😴, 12GB RAM, more boring colours like light grey, grey and darker grey.

So my question is this, will you "downgrade" to an Air for a new design or will you stick to the Pro models for ANOTHER year?

Of course if you never buy pro then this might be a no brainer for some.

I have always bought every single Pro but this "AIR" model sounds fresh and something I need to keep me using iPhones because right now the 16 series is in the TRASH.

I have no doubt the 18 pro models will adopt the new pixel 9 style camera layout in 2026 but for now it will debut with this air model in an iPhone X style reveal.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I'm only interested in Pro Max models because of screen size and best hardware. If the PM wasn't one of the choices, I'd be more inclined to get any other model over the Air...

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Every time I see renders of this camera placement I'm reminded of the greatness that once was.

 

[JPack]

Air is Air, not Ultra. It will undoubtedly have relatively poor battery and that’s not for me.

If I wanted a single rear camera lens and 8GB RAM, I’d choose the SE4.

 

[bhodinut]

Apple Designed 5G radio chip? Their last attempt didn't work so well as I recall

 

[ab2c4]

I couldn't make a decision until I saw both phones and reviewed specs and pricing. However, if one of them had rounded sides then I would choose that one regardless of the specs and pricing.

 

[Cobold]

There are people out there who care about the LAYOUT of their phones cameras?

Wow. Okay then. Proceed. 🤨


By the way: both phones are about a year away. Please, don’t act like they‘re out there for everyone to get and all the features are well known.

 

[AppleTech22]

Will be very interested to see how they position this new model. I’m excited about a new shakeup in the product line and a fresh take on the design is definitely needed going on 5 models now with the same frosted glass and triangular camera formation rear.

If it has 120Hz and battery life fairly comparable to the smaller Pro, I’d be willing to part with the ultrawide and telephoto lenses for a new design.

I am a bit jealous that Google has “claim” to the horizontal bar camera formation design. It looks great and much more uniform than the triangular layout. Here’s hoping Apple finds a way to make the look “theirs” in some way or another.

 

[PeteS1963]

I have a feeling that this with be placed towards those who value something that looks significantly different and aren’t interested in all the latest features, especially the cameras.

I have a Pro and take a lot of images for my small business. Most of these are for social media. I’m not alone here, these days social media is rather popular. For pictures that end up on social media you don’t need the best camera or best resolution. For me subject and composition are more important. Of course I occasionally use widefield and the telephoto, but I could certainly live without it. I also wonder how many other people actually use the other two lenses. I suspect there are many who are perfectly happy with just point-and-shoot.

 

[klasma]

The only way the Air model is interesting to me is if it’s more light-weight than the regular iPhone. However, that doesn’t seem very likely, given the large screen diagonal.

 

[ab2c4]

The only way the Air model is interesting to me is if it’s more light-weight than the regular iPhone. However, that doesn’t seem very likely, given the large screen diagonal.

Even if it comes in close to the non pro in terms of weight, it might actually feel lighter due to the weight spread out over the larger display. For example, the 15 Plus is a heavier and much bigger phone than the 15 Pro, yet the 15 Plus feels lighter to hold. I say this as I have a 15 Plus and my wife has the 15 Pro and I am always amazed how much lighter my phone feels in the hand compared to hers.

 

[klasma]

Even if it comes in close to the non pro in terms of weight, it might actually feel lighter due to the weight spread out over the larger display. For example, the 15 Plus is a heavier and much bigger phone than the 15 Pro, yet the 15 Plus feels lighter to hold. I say this as I have a 15 Plus and my wife has the 15 Pro and I am always amazed how much lighter my phone feels in the hand compared to hers.

Yes, I did mean subjectively. Though I currently use the mini and am nevertheless still pining for the light-weightness of the SE1.

 

[The Game 161]

If it happens it certainly won't be ultra. Be less cameras than iPhone 16

 

[klasma]

If it happens it certainly won't be ultra. Be less cameras than iPhone 16

But more than the Watch Ultra!

 

[blairh]

I will be pre-ordering the iPhone Air. I am so tired of heavy iPhones. I want a large screen that is super light.

 

[Rafagon]

I will not compromise on iPhone features to get a thinner iPhone. There's nothing remarkable about a thinner iPhone that gives up features.

Keep the existing features, add more on top of them, and make the iPhone thinner.

Then I'll consider it.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

So now we need the Pro, Pro Max, Regular, "Thin", and Rafagon edition 😏

 

[naturalguy]

I don’t get the thinner iPhone. These phones are already thin, they are not bulky

 

[eyoungren]

I will not compromise on iPhone features to get a thinner iPhone. There's nothing remarkable about a thinner iPhone that gives up features.

Keep the existing features, add more on top of them, and make the iPhone thinner.

Then I'll consider it.

Sure. As long as we get rid of the camera bump and make it flush with the housing.

 

[Rafagon]

So now we need the Pro, Pro Max, Regular, "Thin", and Rafagon edition 😏

Exactly. Great idea!

 

[barkomatic]

I think the slim version of the 17 is a stopgap measure until Apple is ready to start releasing foldables. Based on the rumors I've heard so far, I don't see how making it thinner adds anything beyond temporary novelty.