The so-called “iPhone 17 Air” mannequin anticipated to launch later this 12 months could have an ultra-thin design that’s 5.5mm at its thinnest level, based on the most recent data shared by respected Apple provide chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a weblog submit at this time, Kuo added that the machine will lack a bodily SIM card slot, and as a substitute rely completely on digital eSIM know-how. That is one thing we have heard earlier than for this machine, and the complete iPhone 17 lineup might be eSIM-only in additional international locations.
If the 5.5mm measurement finally ends up being correct, the “iPhone 17 Air” would turn out to be the thinnest iPhone ever, topping the present 6.9mm file set by the iPhone 6. It additionally means the machine could be round 30% thinner than the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, and round 33% thinner than the iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max.
The machine measuring 5.5mm solely at its “thinnest level” doubtless means it would have an ultra-thin chassis with a thicker rear digital camera bump. The machine is predicted to have solely a single 48-megapixel rear digital camera.
There have been conflicting rumors concerning the machine’s actual thinness, however a number of sources have agreed on round a 5mm to mid-6mm vary.
The most recent 13-inch iPad Professional mannequin measures simply 5.1mm thick, so the “iPhone 17 Air” might be approaching that spectacular territory.
Kuo stated the ultra-thin iPhone 17 mannequin will enter mass manufacturing within the second half of 2025. The machine is predicted to launch in September alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Professional, and iPhone 17 Professional Max. There isn’t a iPhone 17 Plus anticipated, with the “iPhone 17 Air” successfully set to turn out to be a alternative for the Plus mannequin on this 12 months’s lineup.
As a result of its skinny design, the “iPhone 17 Air” is predicted to have some decreased specs in comparison with the Professional fashions. Along with the only rear digital camera, the machine is rumored to have a regular A19 chip as a substitute of the A19 Professional chip, and solely a single speaker. Nonetheless, Kuo believes Apple will nonetheless cost a “excessive worth” for the machine.
Different rumored “iPhone 17 Air” specs embody a 6.6-inch show, 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence, an Apple-designed 5G modem, and extra.
