So they’re gonna do base, Air, and Pro models for the iPhone? I don’t see the point of it, the iPhone is thin enough. Unless they’ll use premium materials like titanium.
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iPhone 17 and 'iPhone 17 Air' Expected to Lack 5x Optical Zoom Lens
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Bring back the original iPhone SE, updating whatever they want, but its form factor — and that real home button — are still the greatest!
I don't think there's anything profound here. There probably is an overall concerted effort to slim down all their products with smaller components becoming available.
That said, when you don't have anything truly different ie. foldable phone, an iPhone 17 Air to dangle and entice users to update might be what they need. You can only trot out new colours and materials so many times.
A bumper case negates this concern… is your phone out there in its birthday suit?
Does this suggest that iPhone 17 and 17 Pro won't have a major redesign?
I don't see the point either but I'm likely not their target audience for the thin model. I've seen some others post they would like a thinner model. I can see it maybe popular with those that think of a phone as a fashion accessory. It perhaps also gives Apple a chance to try out some new manufacturing tech that could prove useful to eventually make a foldable that isn't too thick when closed.
This is purely speculation, but Apple is trapped in the phone photography race with its Pro models, which makes the phones heavy. They want slim phones to be their high-end phones again, but they can’t use Pro branding while taking away camera features. Once customers buy in to the slim-is-pro idea again, these will be Apple’s high-end iPhones.
If Apple made an iphone with the same design as the iPhone 4 but without the home button, I’d buy it in a heartbeat
I wonder if eventually iPhones will be just slightly thicker than credit cards. "Honey, get me a bandaid -- I just cut myself on my phone again!"
I wonder if the rumors are just all wrong and this really is just where the regular iPhone 17 goes. It seems other than this air/thin discussion, it all just shapes up to be a regular iPhone 17?
Does that matter at all for most consumers? Buy a pro if that is needed.
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The current iPhone 16 and 16 Plus offers the following
- 48MP Fusion: 26 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor‑shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
- Also enables 12MP 2x Telephoto: 52 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels
- 12MP Ultra Wide: 13 mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120° field of view, 100% Focus Pixels
- 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range
- Digital zoom up to 10x
The current iPhone lineup feels like a complete design misstep. The size, weight, and color choices lack coherence and sophistication, making it impossible for anyone who values aesthetics to find a desirable option. After breaking my red iPhone 13 a month ago, I’ve struggled to find a replacement I’d actually want to carry.
The standard iPhones come across as overly playful, juvenile and basic. While the Pro models are bulky, heavy, and lack the overall feel one expects from premium devices. It’s also clear that Apple has compromised on material quality across the board, likely to create space for a higher-tier “premium” model—potentially the rumored iPhone Air.
This approach undermines Apple’s legacy of seamless, refined design. At this point, I’ve lost confidence in their product philosophy. What I want is a thoughtfully designed, premium iPhone with logical proportions and impeccable material choices. I’m willing to pay a premium price, but I won’t compromise by carrying something as clunky and uninspired as the current models. Apple needs to remember that form and function must go hand in hand—right now, they’re failing on both fronts.
I understand your points for many customers but their pro model fits someone like me to a tee. I think each of us sees the market from one very valid perspective but easily misses the perspective of many other customers. I'm sure Apple can do better but they are hitting the target for quite a few.
Is there really room in the market for a mid tier iPhone?
iPhone-iPhone Air-iPhone Pro
"Our thinnest, lightest, iPhone ever."
Apple Intelligence will ape some of the Pro's hardware features.
iPhone-iPhone Air-iPhone Pro
"Our thinnest, lightest, iPhone ever."
Apple Intelligence will ape some of the Pro's hardware features.
I think the exact opposite. Little to no development costs, mostly existing parts, maximum cool factor re marketing. It all adds up to bigger margins than current devices. sounds like an excellent business strategy. Likely a financial home run for Apple and shareholders.
I don't know how someone can criticize Apple for material choice. You want a ceramic phone? What would be more premium than the Ti & glass? You want to go back to stainless steel? Plastic?
This is in response to the post @JohnC1959 was responding to.
I've seen some folks wish for rubber and plastic so they don't need a case. Some criticized having so much glass. All are valid for various segments of the market. In the end each company has to pick something and we all vote with our wallets.