Rumors about the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, which is poised to succeed the highly acclaimed iPhone 16 series, are gaining momentum, with one model stealing the spotlight: the thinnest iPhone ever. Leaks and speculation have Apple fans excited, and the latest report has only added fuel to the fire. The report offers an interesting look at the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, hinting at its potential to be a game-changer for Apple’s future.
In his latest work Authority on the newsletterBloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the iPhone 17 Air, scheduled to arrive in the fall, will serve as a “proving ground for future technologies.” This includes technologies that will likely be crucial to the development of Apple’s first foldable phone.
The thinnest iPhone yet?
This makes perfect sense, because one of the biggest challenges in designing a foldable phone is adapting the battery and chips to work seamlessly within a much thinner frame. The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be much thinner than current iPhones, with Gurman suggesting it could be around 2mm thinner.
This will result in a noticeably thin device, about 5.59 mm (0.22 inches) thick if based on standard iPhone dimensions or 5.85 mm (0.23 inches) if compared to the Pro models. For reference, other reports have suggested a thickness of around 5.5mm or 6.25mm for the iPhone 17 Air.
The prospect of the iPhone 17 Air, initially rumored as the iPhone 17 Slim, has sparked great excitement among Apple fans. The idea of a noticeably thinner iPhone appearing alongside the expected iPhone 17 series is undoubtedly an interesting one.
Air of Mystery: What We Know (So Far)
Although there are many rumors circulating about this device, it is important to remember that the iPhone 17 Air could represent an important step towards Apple’s future endeavors. It could serve as a stepping stone toward the long-awaited iPhone Flip or even lay the groundwork for a potential “MacBook/iPad crossover.”
Moreover, the name “iPhone 17 Air” would not be surprising, given Apple’s established naming conventions. When both the MacBook Air and iPad Air were released, they were known for their exceptionally thin and lightweight designs.
The iPhone 17 Air could be pivotal in Apple’s technological advancement beyond its potential as a foldable precursor. It could serve as a platform to showcase Apple’s internally designed modem for the first time, an important step that could reduce reliance on Qualcomm and enhance integration within Apple’s ecosystem.
While the iPhone SE 4 is also expected to have this internal modem, there is no confirmation on whether the iPhone 17 Air will include an Apple-designed Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip. This omission raises questions about how integrated Apple’s internal components are into this specific model.
Rumored specs and features: Mixed bag
Despite the excitement surrounding the iPhone 17 Air, details regarding its specifications remain fragmented. Some leaks suggest a minimalist approach with a single rear camera. Meanwhile, other reports suggest that it will boast a high refresh rate display of 120Hz, in line with the premium features seen in models like the iPhone 16 Pro.
Details of the new iPhone 17 “Slim”.
– 6.6 inch screen
– Resolution 2740 x 1260
– Dynamic island
– Ultra slim design
– Titanium and aluminum frame
– A19 chip
– 5G chip designed by Apple
– One rear camera (wide)source: @mingchico pic.twitter.com/asfQgzNDF3
– Apple Hub (@theapplehub) July 24, 2024
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a 6.6-inch ProMotion OLED display, offering a smooth 120Hz refresh rate that was previously exclusive to iPhone Pro models. On the back, it is expected to have a single 48-megapixel camera lens, while the front camera could have a 24-megapixel selfie camera. Under the hood, the device could pack Apple’s A19 chip, and like the iPhone SE 4, it could come with 8GB of RAM to support the desired AI features.
Even if the iPhone 17 Air itself doesn’t immediately appeal to every Apple fan, its importance within Apple’s hardware roadmap cannot be overstated. While the full implications of this device may not be immediately apparent, it undoubtedly represents a crucial step in the evolution of Apple’s flagship product.