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

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

I'm still convinced this is a big rebrand of the mid-tier iPhone 17 (and onward).

The rumor about the single back camera seems to persist, though, and has me worried that Apple will use the opportunity to make the mid-tier iPhones even less like the Pro/Pro Max by downgrading some of the mid-tier's main staples, specifically the dual-camera setup on the back. But we're supposed to like it because now the mid-tier is slimmer and lighter than ever before.

Seems like a reasonable move if Apple wants even more to go Pro/Pro Max or settle for an even lower value/$ mid-tier iPhone with even better profit margins for Apple than what we get in the current mid-tier iPhones 16.

Maybe Apple wants the mid-tier iPhones to be as outdated and low value/$ as the M2 iPads are compared to the M4 Pro iPads? Finally streamline the product naming strategy between iPhone and iPads?

Judging how Apple has turned the low-end iPad 10 into a faux iPad Air, maybe the rumored iPhoneE will then be a sort of faux iPhone Air -Outer chassis, finish and color are the same between both. But display and internals are vastly superior in Air?

Conversely, I cannot see this 17 Air sitting next to the dual-camera mid-tier iPhones 17 but still sell for $999-$1199 while it has a single back camera but otherwise only trumps the mid-tier 17 by being the thinnest iPhone ever.

 

[Biro]

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.

And I don’t want a sub-par modem.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

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

I am, IF the camera module is thinner. I don't care about the body being thinner.

 

[ChrisA]

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

Yes, Tim Cook.

Why. Thinner means there are fewer raw materials in the phone. At a gross level, devices with less mass are cheaper to make because there is less stuff inside. There is less cost to ship the parts and less cost to ship the finished phones

It is cheaper to make a smaller phone, unless you need some exotic assembly technique but really it just means less metal, less battery and less glass and whatever.

 

[mozumder]

this was likely made possible due to new Silicon-Carbon batteries that increase battery capacity per volume.

 

[ellpee]

Reputable? By what standard? Great investigative work by Kuo to deduce the phone won’t have a physical SIM slot!

 

[smulji]

I'm still convinced this is a big rebrand of the mid-tier iPhone 17 (and onward).

The rumor about the single back camera seems to persist, though, and has me worried that Apple will use the opportunity to make the mid-tier iPhones even less like the Pro/Pro Max by downgrading some of the mid-tier's main staples, specifically the dual-camera setup on the back. But we're supposed to like it because now the mid-tier is slimmer and lighter than ever before.

Seems like a reasonable move if Apple wants even more to go Pro/Pro Max or settle for an even lower value/$ mid-tier iPhone with even better profit margins for Apple than what we get in the current mid-tier iPhones 16.

Maybe Apple wants the mid-tier iPhones to be as outdated and low value/$ as the M2 iPads are compared to the M4 Pro iPads? Finally streamline the product naming strategy between iPhone and iPads?

Judging how Apple has turned the low-end iPad 10 into a faux iPad Air, maybe the rumored iPhoneE will then be a sort of faux iPhone Air -Outer chassis, finish and color are the same between both. But display and internals are vastly superior in Air?

Conversely, I cannot see this 17 Air sitting next to the dual-camera mid-tier iPhones 17 but still sell for $999-$1199 while it has a single back camera but otherwise only trumps the mid-tier 17 by being the thinnest iPhone ever.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877002627201769928

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

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

While clearly not big enough to be able to sell a phone like the mini, there certainly is quite a vocal group of people who want less cumbersome phones.
Assuming this rumor is even close to correct and the iPhone really does shrink from the current 8.3 MM thin down to 5.5 or even 6MM thin with an aluminum build, the difference will be absolutely noticeable.
Even Apple‘s largest screen iPhones have still significantly increased in weight over the past 10 years, the 6+ was 172G heavy at 7.1MM while the 14 Pro Max was 240G heavy. Not just a little bit heavier, 30% heavier.
Given that this iPhone could be almost 2MM thinner than even the 6+, we could be talking about an iPhone around the same weight as the SE3 which is 144G heavy.
A phone that was only 150G but with a 6.6 inch screen will feel even lighter, just because of the weight to body ratio. And because of the single camera, the weight distribution will be more even throughout the phone.
I’ll bet you the weight savings alone will make a huge difference. I would not even be surprised to see plenty of 12 and 13 Mini owners reluctantly upgrade just because of how light and small the phone will feel despite the massive screen.
Edit: the 13Mini was 140G. So a 6.6 inch iPhone possibly within 10-20G of the Mini.
If even close to accurate, this thing won’t feel real. Well… until you put a case on it, but even then it’ll feel more like a large iPod touch. And the iPod Touch was tiny.

 

[sigmasirrus]

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

Actually I thought about it and I wouldn’t mind a lighter phone, which means it would need to be thinner. If the battery life is still great because they improve the efficiency, it might be a cool idea.

But I think it’s because they’re running out of ways to juice the sales. They should really be focusing on software quality, snow leopard style.

 

[Henrikr]

We're not fully ready for eSIMs! While traveling abroad, my iPhone with an eSIM was stolen. I couldn't just use the QR code what came with my plan to activate it on a new phone, so eSIM activation abroad was impossible. I lost access to my bank accounts because I couldn't verify via my phone number/SMS. It was a nightmare! eSIMs need better solutions before they're viable! I had to travel back home to UK to obtain a physical SIM card, put it in my phone and then activate e-sim again.

 

[kuito]

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

No. I really want battery life, faster wireless charging..

 

[Chuckeee]

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

Not me but I could see many people wanting a lighter weight phone. And wouldn’t a thinner phone weigh less.

 

[Geekett]

The e.sim only is so inconvenient - it’s a no-go in a lot of countries

 

[kamyk35]

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

I think this will sell as poorly as the Plus & the Mini before it......it's not even as good as the standard iPhone 17...a none event, being hyped up, by the usual suspects

 

[Belisama]

Ultra-Thin 5.5mm​

Meaning: 10 mm thick when placed in the mandatory plastic case that should prevent the pricey gadget from disintegrating following its first fall on the sidewalk.
But they will look OK and thin on Apple Store tables.

 

[Belisama]

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

I want a thicker iPhone with a thicker battery, no camera bump, and an unbreakable back.
I know it will never happen, though.

 

[Silverado]

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

Probably not. But I’m sure many will be drawn in by the sleekness and being different and new.

 

[Silverado]

I want a thicker iPhone with a thicker battery, no camera bump, and an unbreakable back.
I know it will never happen, though.

I’d say fewer people would be drawn in by that phone compared to a thinner one.

 

[Eso]

"..at its thinnest"

Wait... Are we finally getting the tear-drop iPhone?!

 

[Schizoid]

something’s gotta be different to sell the next model that’s all…

 

[arc of the universe]

We're not fully ready for eSIMs! While traveling abroad, my iPhone with an eSIM was stolen. I couldn't just use the QR code what came with my plan to activate it on a new phone, so eSIM activation abroad was impossible. I lost access to my bank accounts because I couldn't verify via my phone number/SMS. It was a nightmare! eSIMs need better solutions before they're viable! I had to travel back home to UK to obtain a physical SIM card, put it in my phone and then activate e-sim again.

this is a valid point (replacement policies for esim in case your mobile is stolen).
each mobile carrier has different policies upon which they issue you a new esim activation code.
physical sims had the assurance that they would be sent to your registered address.
but many mobile carriers now do have efficient ways to verify your identity when requesting an esim activation code.

 

[ifxf]

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.

Notice you didn’t mention AI as a must have feature.

 

[ifxf]

We're not fully ready for eSIMs! While traveling abroad, my iPhone with an eSIM was stolen. I couldn't just use the QR code what came with my plan to activate it on a new phone, so eSIM activation abroad was impossible. I lost access to my bank accounts because I couldn't verify via my phone number/SMS. It was a nightmare! eSIMs need better solutions before they're viable! I had to travel back home to UK to obtain a physical SIM card, put it in my phone and then activate e-sim again.

A physical sim wouldn’t help either because they would mail the replacement to your home address. Its a shame that financial institutions don’t support alternative verify mechanisms like email or hardware keys.

 

[roxics]

I feel like this and the SE 4 are going to end up being the same phone. Just renaming the SE to Air or whatever.

 

[staceyu]

I care more about weight than thickness, and a lot of the missing features are redundant. I couldn’t care less about dual speakers for example.

But I would be interested in the phone if it kept the Pro cameras and chipset, even if it meant a hit on battery life.