The rumor mill has been churning with speculation about Apple’s plans to replace the iPhone 17 Plus with an ultra-thin model. Now, reliable sources have seemingly confirmed both the name and release timing of this upcoming device: the iPhone 17 Air.
The “Air” Legacy
The “Air” moniker holds significant weight in Apple’s product lineup, signifying a focus on thinness and portability. The MacBook Air, which pioneered this design philosophy, remains a popular choice for users seeking a lightweight and sleek laptop. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to follow in these footsteps, offering a slimmer profile than its predecessors.
A Testing Ground for Future Technologies
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17 Air will serve as a “testing ground for future technologies,” including those that may be incorporated into Apple’s first foldable iPhone. This suggests that the engineering challenges involved in creating an ultra-thin iPhone will provide valuable insights for developing future foldable devices.
Design and Features
Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Air will be significantly thinner than current iPhone models, potentially measuring around 5.5mm at its thinnest point. It may also feature a single rear camera integrated into a camera bar module and a dual-tone rear design with aluminum and glass elements. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air could be the first iPhone to completely eliminate the SIM card slot worldwide.
Here’s a recap of 10 key rumored changes for the iPhone 17 Air:
1. Ultra-Thin Design: The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever, measuring just 5.5mm at its thinnest point. This slim profile could set a new standard for smartphone design.
2. 6.6-inch OLED Display: The device is rumored to feature a 6.6-inch OLED display with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
3. Face ID and Dynamic Island: Face ID is expected to remain the primary authentication method, and the Dynamic Island will likely continue to be a central element of the user interface.
4. ProMotion Display: The display is rumored to support ProMotion, allowing for a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations.
5. A19 Chip: The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be powered by the A19 chip, offering a significant performance boost over previous generations.
6. 8GB of RAM: An increase to 8GB of RAM could enhance multitasking capabilities and support more demanding applications.
7. Single 48-Megapixel Rear Camera: Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Air will feature a single 48-megapixel rear camera, potentially simplifying the camera system while still delivering high-quality images.
8. 24-Megapixel Front Camera: The front-facing camera is rumored to be upgraded to 24 megapixels, offering improved selfie quality.
9. Single Speaker: The iPhone 17 Air may feature a single speaker located in the earpiece, potentially forgoing the bottom speaker to achieve its thin design.
10. eSIM Only: The device is rumored to be eSIM only, eliminating the physical SIM card slot entirely.
Release Timing
While Apple has not officially confirmed the iPhone 17 Air’s release date, industry insiders anticipate it will be unveiled alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup later this year.
