iPhone 17 Air: Everything to know about the ‘ultra-thin’ Plus killer coming in September

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• iPhone 17 Air might debut as Apple’s thinnest cellphone ever.
• Single rear digital camera exhibits Apple’s thinness trade-offs.
• Anticipated to debut on Sept. 9, 2025, priced round $900.

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Apple is anticipated to introduce an ultra-thin mannequin within the 2025 iPhone lineup. Referred to as the “iPhone 17 Air,” it is imagined to be a lot slimmer than another iPhone thus far and can change the Plus fashions.

Additionally: Buy the iPhone 16 or wait for iPhone 17? Here’s how I help friends and family decide

Due this September alongside the remainder of the iPhone 17 family, it has been repeatedly described as a super-slim new tier, with a goal value round $900. However what else makes this cellphone so totally different, and why must you care?

Let’s take a look at all of the rumors and leaks thus far.

Why is it referred to as iPhone 17 Air?

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has referred to the upcoming model as “skinny” and repeatedly calls it “iPhone 17 Air.” So, that is what everybody else calls it. Apple hasn’t confirmed the title simply but, so think about “Air” a working moniker till it debuts in September.

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With any pre-release reporting, particulars can change. However Gurman is a managing editor with a powerful report on Apple scoops. AppleTrack currently rates his accuracy round 86%. This website tracks, verifies, and charges the accuracy of Apple leaks and rumors. MacRumors additionally graded Gurman’s WWDC 2025 predictions as an A+.

How skinny is the iPhone 17 Air actually?

If the rumors are proper, the iPhone 17 Air might be the thinnest iPhone ever.

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Famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a 72% accuracy according to AppleTrack, says the cellphone will measure 5.5mm at its slimmest level — however the digital camera bump is not going anyplace. Nonetheless, Bloomberg’s Gurman described the Air as slimmer than present fashions and prompt it might be a step towards Apple’s long-rumored port-free future. For comparability, the iPhone 16 Professional is 8.25mm thick.

Renders and videos from Jon Prosser’s Entrance Web page Tech additionally level to an ultra-thin chassis in addition to a “digital camera bar” stretching throughout the again. On one aspect sits a single rear lens, whereas the opposite homes a mic and LED flash. Prosser is being sued by Apple for allegedly leaking iOS 26 data, however his leaks align with a supposed iPhone 17 Air shell that surfaced weeks ago.

After all, making a cellphone this skinny requires some engineering trade-offs. AppleTrack posted a video with dummy fashions suggesting refined {hardware} compromises, just like the USB-C port being nudged nearer to the again edge as an alternative of sitting neatly within the center.

As for weight, MacRumors noticed South Korean leaker yeux1122 claimed in a Naver weblog that the Air will are available in at about 145g (5.11 ounces). That will make it a lot lighter than the 199g iPhone 16 Professional, however it’ll be barely heavier than the 141g iPhone 13 Mini.

What’s the show dimension?

Several leakers and analysts, together with Ming-Chi Kuo, stated the iPhone 17 Air could have round a 6.6-inch show with very slim bezels and a refined front layout, and it will maintain the Dynamic Island largely the same as current models. In the meantime, Macworld just lately noticed a brand new 1260×2740 wallpaper decision in iOS 26 betas that does not match any present iPhones.

What in regards to the cameras? 

To maintain the iPhone 17 Air as skinny as doable, Apple is anticipated to make some concessions.

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Each Kuo and Bloomberg’s Gurman reported the cellphone will drop ultrawide and telephoto lenses, as an alternative transport with a single rear digital camera — possible 48MP. Jon Prosser’s renders again this up, displaying only one lens inside the highest “digital camera bar.” Up entrance, analyst Jeff Pu stated all iPhone 17 fashions will characteristic a 24MP selfie digital camera. According to AppleTrack, Pu’s report sits at about 50% correct.

Will iPhone 17 Air final all day?

A thinner iPhone means a smaller battery, proper? Not so quick. This is how Apple plans to sort out the difficulty of battery life:

• Environment friendly charging and thermal administration: Leaker Majin Bu has shared photos and measurements of what is claimed to be the Air’s battery: an L-shaped, steel-cased module that is about 2.49mm thick with an estimated capability of two,900mAh. The prototype options welded edges, new adhesives to make replacements simpler, and will permit for extra environment friendly charging due to improved thermal administration. Collectively, these particulars counsel Apple is optimizing inside area and battery efficiency.
• Excessive-density battery with silicon-anode cells: Kuo has floated the thought of a high-density battery for the iPhone 17 Air, whereas AppleInsider, citing a report from DigitTimes, claimed provider TDK is getting ready silicon-anode cells. The mixture of this tech could be a significant leap, primarily permitting the iPhone 17 Air to retailer extra power in the identical area.
• An Apple-made battery case: The Information’s Wayne Ma claimed Apple’s inside testing exhibits the Air’s battery life will not fairly hit the corporate’s regular targets. He stated the proportion of customers who can go a single day with out recharging the skinny cellphone will likely be between 60% and 70%. To make up for that, Apple has been growing its personal battery case.
• Software program methods: Let’s additionally not neglect that iOS 26 introduces a brand new characteristic referred to as Adaptive Energy, which was broadly mentioned throughout and after WWDC. Apple’s iOS 26 overview would not go into a lot element, however ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes tested it and reported that the system mechanically adjusts efficiency and background duties to stretch battery life when wanted.

Any data on different specs?

If you happen to’re questioning about which A-series chip the iPhone 17 Air will get or how a lot RAM it’s going to have, this is what’s leaked thus far:

• Processor: Bloomberg’s Gurman claimed the iPhone 17 Air will get the standard A19, whereas the iPhone 17 Professional fashions will get the A19 Professional chip. A counter-rumor from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo (by way of MacRumors) claimed the A19 Professional is coming to the Air.
• RAM: Kuo stated to anticipate 12GB DRAM on at the very least three iPhone 17 fashions.
• Wi-Fi: Kuo additionally stated Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chip will likely be used throughout all iPhone 17 fashions, which means it is shifting away from Broadcom. This reporting echoes earlier protection from Reuters outlining Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi/Bluetooth transition.

Will there be new colours?

Leaker Majin Bu — posting on his own site and X — has repeatedly stated the iPhone 17 Air will likely be out there in 4 colours: a really gentle “sky” blue, silver, black, and a light-weight gold. You may see these colours, in addition to the opposite iPhone 17 fashions’ colours, within the tweet beneath.

How a lot will iPhone 17 Air value?

Bloomberg’s Gurman reported that the iPhone 17 Air will likely be priced round $900, in step with the concept that it would change the Plus tier. 

Additionally: Apple’s tariff costs and iPhone sales are soaring – how long until device prices are too?

Nevertheless, in May 2025, President Donald Trump publicly threatened a 25% tariff on iPhones not constructed within the US — a transfer that, if enacted and utilized to the Air’s provide chain, could affect pricing.

When will iPhone 17 Air launch?

Apple historically holds its iPhone occasion in early to mid-September to unveil the most recent fashions, which often go on sale inside a few weeks. Whereas Apple hasn’t confirmed the iPhone 17 Air, it has stated its next event will take place on Sept. 9, 2025, and a number of stories, together with Bloomberg’s Gurman most just lately, counsel the ultra-thin mannequin will debut throughout this occasion.