Apple is gearing up for September 2025, and this year’s show could be centered around a whole new device: the iPhone 17 Air. Dubbed Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date, the new phone is the company’s most ambitious design shift in years, beginning a three-year transition to foldable phones and a 20th-anniversary redesign in 2027.
Ultra-Slim Redesign
According to leaks and diagrams, the iPhone 17 Air will be only 5.5 mm thin, the thinnest iPhone produced to date. To achieve this without compromising durability, Apple is reported to be using a titanium-aluminum alloy frame that is light but sturdy. The back of the phone introduces a new bold look: a camera bar running horizontally, reminiscent of the Google Pixel look.
Display and Camera Changes
The handset is said to feature a 6.6-inch OLED Pro Motion display with 120Hz refresh and Always-On features more commonly reserved for Pro models.
The camera configuration could come as a shock: instead of stacked lenses, Apple is focusing on a single 48MP rear sensor in the wide camera bar, with an enhanced 24MP front-facing camera for selfie and video calling enthusiasts.
Performance and Connectivity
Essentially, the iPhone 17 Air will likely employ Apple’s latest A19 chip, paired with up to 12GB of RAM, optimized for AI-related tasks and heavy multitasking. There are also indications of the inclusion of Apple’s C1 5G modem, Wi-Fi 7, and eSIM-only build, distancing itself further from the use of conventional SIM cards.
Ports, Charging, and Accessories
The extremely thin design comes at the cost of design compromises. The USB-C connector might be ever so slightly off-center, and although the phone will have MagSafe, battery capacity might be reduced compared to the iPhone Pro lineup. Apple can also bring back a bumper case style like the iPhone 4 days, in which the case just covers the sides, leaving the thin look intact. Charging might get faster too, with 25W wireless charging rumored to make its debut.
Pricing and Release Date
The iPhone 17 Air is said to replace Apple’s current “Plus” model. The price is estimated at around $949 USD.
The release event of Apple is rumored to be on September 9, 2025, and pre-orders will begin on September 12 and deliveries on September 19.
Why It Matters?
Not just another yearly release, the iPhone 17 Air is Apple’s showpiece: a phone that prioritizes design innovation and thinness over battery power and camera functionality. For Apple, it’s the first chapter of a multi-year plan that follows up with foldable iPhones in 2026 and a complete reworking in 2027.
While a temporary decrease in Apple stock after launch, attributable to incremental functional improvements, has been cautioned against by some prognosticators, most expect the company’s focus on fashionable form factors will strike a strong chord with fashion-forward buyers.
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