iPhone 17 Air: Apple is preparing to unveil its highly anticipated iPhone 17 series in September 2025, and besides the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the company is rumored to introduce an entirely new model iPhone 17 Air. This ultra-ultra-thin phone reportedly comes with a new design, a new display size, Apple’s proprietary 5G modem, and the latest A19 chipset. While Apple has yet to make formal announcements regarding specs, leaks have already revealed some of its most astonishing features.
Read More: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus: Big Screen Rivals
Read More: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Sony Xperia 1 VI: Multimedia Monsters
Razor-Thin Design That Remakes the iPhone Line
The iPhone 17 Air will be the thinnest iPhone in history, standing at a mere 5.5mm to 6.25mm thickness. That’s even thinner than the 6.9mm iPhone 6, which used to be Apple’s thinnest phone. The construction should be as close to the iPad Air’s thin and light design, although some compromises may have to be made on hardware for its wafer-thin profile. Still, its thin and light minimalist design could well make it one of the best choices for those who care about looks and mobility in a phone.
A Single Rear Camera in an Innovative Layout
Unlike the triple-camera setup on the Pro and Pro Max versions or even the dual-camera setup on the standard iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Air is reported to feature a single 48-megapixel rear camera. The camera is reportedly housed in a wide, horizontal camera bar, giving the phone a distinctive look. While the absence of optical zoom and dual sensors can limit its flexibility, the high-quality main sensor should yield fine images for normal photography. There were earlier reports of a top-centered camera setup, but its final design remains unknown.
More Screen Without Bloat
Despite its light and thin build, the iPhone 17 Air supposedly boasts a 6.6-inch to 6.7-inch screen. This would place it larger than the standard iPhone 17 but smaller than the Pro Max, so it would be perfect for those who want a large screen without needing to carry around an enormous phone. The edge-to-edge OLED display will probably provide deep colors, deep contrast, and a silky smooth refresh rate, so it will be great for gaming, streaming, and everyday use.
Apple’s Own 5G Modem for Faster Connectivity
The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly be the second iPhone to employ Apple’s own 5G modem, following the iPhone 16e. The modem will supplant Qualcomm technology with speeds of up to 4Gb/s. But unlike Pro models, the iPhone 17 Air may lack mmWave 5G capability, so somewhat slower speeds in some locations. Nevertheless, Apple’s transition to developing in-house 5G modems heralds its continued efforts to reduce its reliance on third-party components. Whether Apple will roll out a fresh version of the modem or borrow the same one as the iPhone 16e is yet to be seen. A19 Chipset for Enhanced Performance To keep the iPhone 17 Air at a more affordable price, Apple will probably use the A19 chip, unlike the A19 Pro chip that has been speculated to power the Pro models. While this will compromise a bit on performance compared to the high-end models, the A19 chipset is also reported to deliver amazing speed, efficiency, and overall silky-smooth performance. This would render the iPhone 17 Air an affordable option to the iPhone 17 series, enticing buyers seeking a fast yet thin iPhone at an affordable cost.
A Flagship Compact with Something Different:
- Due to its compact size, spacious display
- home-grown 5G modem
- one-camera setup
It is anticipated to serve users who desire a more streamlined and minimalist iPhone without compromising on the latest hardware and software developments. With Apple gearing up for the September 2025 release of the iPhone 17 series, additional information regarding the iPhone 17 Air is expected in the coming months.