Apple is reportedly set to introduce a new iPhone model this fall: the iPhone 17 Air. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this sleek device is expected to be thinner than previous iPhones and will serve as a testing platform for future technology, potentially paving the way for foldable smartphones and tablets from the company.
Drawing inspiration from the MacBook Air and iPad Air, both known for their thin and lightweight designs, the iPhone 17 Air is anticipated to be around 2 millimeters slimmer than the current iPhone lineup. This would make it the thinnest iPhone yet, possibly measuring between 5.5mm and 6.25mm, close to the thickness of the M4 iPad Pro.
But it’s not just about a sleek profile. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to showcase some significant technological advancements. For starters, it might be one of the first models to feature Apple’s in-house cell modem, codenamed Sinope, which will first appear in the upcoming iPhone SE. This move is part of Apple’s broader push to become more self-reliant on core technologies, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, which could debut alongside the 17 Air.
Display-wise, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a 6.6-inch ProMotion OLED screen, a 120Hz refresh rate that has, until now, been exclusive to higher-end Pro models. The device will also likely include a single 48-megapixel camera on the back and a 24-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies. With the power of an A19 chip and 8GB of RAM, the phone is expected to handle advanced AI features seamlessly.
While the iPhone 17 Air will mark a step forward in smartphone innovation, its thin profile might also lay the foundation for future foldable iPhones and iPads, which Apple is rumored to be working on for release in 2026 or beyond. With such a design, the iPhone 17 Air is not only set to be Apple’s thinnest device but also an important milestone for the company’s long-term strategy in mobile technology.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to attract users who prefer a minimalist, slim design without sacrificing performance. The anticipated phone could also serve as a major boost for Apple’s hardware lineup, competing in the market with more traditional smartphone designs and possibly even evolving into a new segment for foldable devices.
