Apple to Launch Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 Air with Simplified Design and Affordable Pricing
The upcoming iPhone 17 Air will feature a sleek, ultra-thin design and sit between the standard and Pro models.
Apple is preparing significant changes for its iPhone 17 lineup, with reports indicating a new model called the iPhone 17 Air. According to a detailed report by Aaron Tilley and Yang Jie from The Wall Street Journal, the iPhone 17 Air will feature an ultra-thin design, offering a sleek alternative to Apple’s standard and Pro models.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to boast a thickness between 5mm and 6.25mm, significantly thinner than the iPhone 16 base model’s 7.8mm and the iPhone 16 Pro’s 8.25mm. To put this in context, the thinnest iPhone to date was the iPhone 6 from 2014, which measured 6.9mm. The move to such a streamlined design may make the iPhone 17 Air stand out visually but will also bring certain compromises.
Among the expected changes, the iPhone 17 Air will reportedly forego a physical SIM card tray and adopt a single-camera setup. The report describes the camera system as “simplified,” leading many to believe it will closely resemble the rumored iPhone SE 4, set for launch early next year. Detailed camera specifications have yet to surface, but the focus appears to be on aesthetics rather than high-end photography features.
Regarding performance, the iPhone 17 Air is likely to include a standard A19 chip and 8GB of RAM, aligning it more with the baseline iPhone 17 models rather than the Pro series. This strategy positions the Air as a stylish yet capable alternative for consumers seeking a modern device without the premium Pro price.
On pricing, earlier speculation suggested the iPhone 17 Air could exceed the cost of the Pro models. However, the latest insights indicate Apple plans to price it below the Pro versions, which currently start at $999 in the United States. Analysts now believe the Air could sit around $900, slightly above the standard iPhone 17 models but offering a unique form factor.
While the iPhone 17 Air will not aim to compete with the Pro lineup, its ultra-thin design and focus on style could appeal to users seeking a lighter, modern smartphone with essential features. More information is expected to emerge as Apple moves closer to next year’s launch.