New 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumors: Ultra-Thin 5.5mm Design, No SIM Card Slot

[MacRumors]

The so-called "iPhone 17 Air" model expected to launch later this year will have an ultra-thin design that is 5.5mm at its thinnest point, according to the latest information shared by reputable Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a blog post today, Kuo added that the device will lack a physical SIM card slot, and instead rely entirely on digital eSIM technology. This is something we've heard before for this device, and the entire iPhone 17 lineup could be eSIM-only in more countries.

If the 5.5mm measurement ends up being accurate, the "iPhone 17 Air" would become the thinnest iPhone ever, topping the current 6.9mm record set by the iPhone 6. It also means the device would be around 30% thinner than the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, and around 33% thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The device measuring 5.5mm only at its "thinnest point" likely means it will have an ultra-thin chassis with a thicker rear camera bump. The device is expected to have only a single 48-megapixel rear camera.

There have been conflicting rumors about the device's exact thinness, but several sources have agreed on around a 5mm to mid-6mm range.

The latest 13-inch iPad Pro model measures just 5.1mm thick, so the "iPhone 17 Air" could be approaching that impressive territory.

Kuo said the ultra-thin iPhone 17 model will enter mass production in the second half of 2025. The device is expected to launch in September alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. There is no iPhone 17 Plus expected, with the "iPhone 17 Air" effectively set to become a replacement for the Plus model in this year's lineup.

Due to its thin design, the "iPhone 17 Air" is expected to have some reduced specifications compared to the Pro models. In addition to the single rear camera, the device is rumored to have a standard A19 chip instead of the A19 Pro chip, and only a single speaker. However, Kuo believes Apple will still charge a "high price" for the device.

Other rumored "iPhone 17 Air" specifications include a 6.6-inch display, 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence, an Apple-designed 5G modem, and more.

Article Link: New 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumors: Ultra-Thin 5.5mm Design, No SIM Card Slot

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Don't (US) iPhones already "rely entirely" on eSIM technology?

If there's any news in this claim then it's because 17 Air will be eSIM-only in all territories?

 

[contacos]

Don't (US) iPhones already "rely entirely" on eSIM technology?

If there's any news in this claim then it's because 17 Air will be eSIM-only in all territories?

You just answered your own question.

 

[MayaUser]

Next month iPhone Air ultra thin 4.5mm

 

[abatabia]

While curious about this, is anyone really clamoring for thinner again?

 

[UliBaer]

Hmm, really tempting. Hopefully no new #bendgate!

[edit] Anyone else noticed, the cam is on the wrong side in this rendering?

 

[Mescagnus]

Can't wait for sitting on mine!

 

[mattopotamus]

While curious about this, is anyone really clamoring for thinner again?

I do want a bigger phone (pro user now) with all day battery life and promotion. The max is too large and the camera bumps are insane. Thinner isn't something I am seeking out, but I do like the idea of this phone.

 

[sunapple]

It would be cool if it were shipped in an envelope.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Maybe this the phone will be more budget friendly for those seeking to get an iPhone.

 

[Rafagon]

While curious about this, is anyone really clamoring for thinner again?

I wouldn't mind thinner if it doesn't sacrifice anything. I don't want a slower chip, a smaller battery, a less powerful camera, or a less snappy Safari.

 

[VisceralRealist]

I know there are a lot of "no one cares about thinness" comments whenever this product is mentioned, but I'm someone who does (it's weight I care about more than thinness per se), and if this phone has ProMotion (which it sounds like all the 17 models will), then it's an instant-buy for me.

 

[Veinticinco]

 

[Schrödinger’s]

While curious about this, is anyone really clamoring for thinner again?

”it’s so thin you can barely feel it!”

 

[Apple_Robert]

I wouldn't mind thinner if it doesn't sacrifice anything. I don't want a slower chip, a smaller battery, a less powerful camera, or a less snappy Safari.

It will have to sacrifice battery size, amongst other things to be thin as reported.

 

[ab2c4]

Should be a very thin phone but I can't wait to see how much the camera sticks out.

 

[Nautilus007]

They better not put a non pro motion display in this device...

 

[HJM.NL]

Isn’t this the iPhone E(ntry) if not, why another iPhone where the only difference is thickness?

iPhone slim and iPhone obese

 

[Harthag]

Unnecessarily slim phone that no one asked for, single speaker, single rear camera, worse processor, likely inferior Apple gen 1 modem, likely small battery. Bet it'll cost $1199 base price. Yeah...sign me up! 😂

 

[PsykX]

They should rely on eSIM for all iPhone models.
It's been possible since iPhone 14 in the US, and Steve Jobs wanted no SIM tray back in 2007.

 

[Kelly Jones]

Hmm, really tempting. Hopefully no new #bendgate!

[edit] Anyone else noticed, the cam is on the wrong side in this rendering?

I see lots of people carrying their phone in their back pocket. Seems like a #bendgate scenario with an ultra-thin phone.

 

[code-m]

While curious about this, is anyone really clamoring for thinner again?

It’s probably misguided under the impression that when iPhones were getting thinner the sales were up but that was only due to technology and upgrade cycles. People are looking for battery life and if this thin model has it then maybe, if not it will be another mini.

 

[PsykX]

You just answered your own question.

Not sure. Is the US really the only country in the world that can do it without a SIM tray, and if so, will it continue to be the only country like that in 2025 ?

 

[maxxodd]

I think that phones should be described by their thickest point, not their thinnest point. Maybe I'm the only one, but I find it annoying.

 

[citysnaps]

While curious about this, is anyone really clamoring for thinner again?

I'd sure like a thinner iPhone.