iPhone 17 Air rumours: Everything we know so far

The iPhone 16 has only been out for two months, but Apple fans are already buzzing about next year’s releases. One model generating particular excitement is the iPhone 17 Air—also referred to as the iPhone 17 Slim—a sleek, thinner design reportedly launching in 2025.

Here’s what we know so far about the iPhone 17 Air.

iPhone 17 Air Release Date and Price

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 Air in September 2025, sticking to its usual launch schedule. If past trends are any indication, the announcement will likely come earlier in the month, though the exact date remains unknown.

As for the price, it’s too soon to say for certain. However, we can use previous models as a reference. The iPhone 16 starts at $799, while the iPhone 16 Plus begins at $899 for the 128GB model. Some rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Air could replace the Plus, making it reasonable to assume a similar starting price.

Notably, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts there won’t be a new Plus model next year, but he clarified that the iPhone 17 Air isn’t meant to be a direct replacement. Instead, its focus will be on design and form factor, rather than major upgrades to the processor, camera, or other hardware.

On the other hand, some rumors hint the iPhone 17 Air might be more expensive than the Pro Max, which starts at $1,199. If true, this could be a bold move—especially if the iPhone 17 Air’s capabilities are more design-focused than feature-heavy.

iPhone 17 Air Design and Size

As its name suggests, the iPhone 17 Air’s standout feature is expected to be its ultra-slim design. According to The Information (via MacRumors), prototypes of the iPhone 17 Air measure around 5 to 6mm thick, potentially making it the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever produced. For comparison, the current iPhone 16 and 16 Pro are both 7.8mm thick.

This sleek form factor could set the iPhone 17 Air apart as a design-first device, prioritizing portability and aesthetics over hardware advancements.

While the iPhone 17 Air’s ultra-thin design is likely to be visually striking, it comes with challenges. A thinner form factor means less room for powerful hardware. Reports suggest Apple is grappling with this issue, as the battery it plans to use is already 6mm thick, leaving little room for further slimming. If a solution isn’t found, the iPhone 17 Air might not be significantly thinner than the 6.9mm iPhone 6 from 2014.

The iPhone 17 Air’s screen size is expected to fall between 6.1 and 6.7 inches, according to The Information (via MacRumors). However, analysts predict it will likely lean toward the upper end of this range. Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu estimate a 6.6-inch display, while Ross Young suggests it could be 6.55 inches. This would place it larger than the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 but slightly smaller than the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus.

Staying true to Apple’s emphasis on form, Kuo reports that the iPhone 17 Air will feature a titanium-aluminium alloy frame, though Pu believes it may use aluminium instead.

iPhone 17 Air: New Features

The iPhone 17 Air’s ultra-thin design will likely come with trade-offs, limiting the features Apple can incorporate. According to The Information, the device is expected to have a smaller battery compared to other iPhones, which could lead to reduced battery life. The extent of this reduction remains unclear, but it’s a notable compromise for the slimmer form factor.

The report also reveals that the iPhone 17 Air will feature only one speaker, located near the ear. This marks a departure from the dual-speaker setup typical of iPhones, as Apple has reportedly been unable to fit a second speaker at the bottom of the device due to space constraints.

Another notable omission in current prototypes is the SIM tray, suggesting the iPhone 17 Air may rely entirely on eSIMs. While this shift won’t be significant for U.S. users—who have been without a SIM tray since the iPhone 14 in 2022—it could mark a major change for international models, which have continued to support physical SIM cards.