As soon as Apple launched its latest iPhone 16 series, speculations about the next generation started rife. The iPhone 17 series, which is expected to arrive in late 2025, is rumored to bring several highly anticipated upgrades, including higher refresh rates across the entire lineup, better cameras, A19 chipset, and more. However, more than the hardware, the buzz around the new iPhone models is attracting a lot of attention. According to multiple reports, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17 series may ditch the iPhone Plus models, replacing them with new iPhone 17 Air models with a slimmer form factor.

The iPhone 17 Air is in line with Apple’s effort to offer slim yet powerful devices to users in its ecosystem. With products like the iPad Air and MacBook Air already established, Apple’s plans to introduce an iPhone Air seems like a logical addition. But what will the iPhone Air look like and how much will Apple compromise to achieve its slim design? Historically, we’ve seen Apple make trade-offs in its Air models to prioritize a lighter, slimmer profile. So the iPhone 17 Air will likely follow the same lines.

Let’s take a detailed look at everything we know so far about the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 17 series.

iPhone 17 design expectations

The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be just 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point, potentially making it the thinnest iPhone ever – surpassing even the iPhone 6’s 6.9mm frame. To achieve this sleek design, Apple may be using titanium-aluminum alloy, combining lightweight durability with a premium finish.

iPhone 17 display expectations

The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to have a 6.6-inch OLED display, which would put it between the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in size. The display is expected to include Apple’s ProMotion technology, offering a high refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and responsiveness. In fact, the standard iPhone 17 is also rumored to adopt ProMotion, which would allow Apple to offer higher-refresh-rate screens across the entire lineup. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air is likely to include Face ID, Dynamic Island, and an anti-reflective coating for better visibility and durability.

iPhone 17 demo rumors

The iPhone 17 Air is likely to be powered by the A19 chip, which is built on an advanced 3nm process. While it may not match the A19 Pro chip slated for the Pro model, it is expected to offer significant improvements in speed and efficiency compared to the existing A18 chip. The device is also rumored to have 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and offering support for Apple Intelligence features.

Another important update is Apple’s in-house 5G modem, which marks a change from third-party solutions. Apple is rumored to launch this modem with the iPhone SE4, and is later expected to adopt it in all upcoming new generation devices including the iPhone 17 Air.

iPhone 17 Air camera expectations

In line with its minimalist design, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to have a 48-megapixel rear camera, which is a notable downgrade from the multi-camera setups on other iPhone models. On the front there is likely to be a 24-megapixel camera with a six-element lens. To maintain its slim profile, the device may only include a single earpiece speaker, with the bottom speaker removed for a clean aesthetic.

iPhone 17 Air and eSIM adoption

Apple is also expected to double down on its eSIM strategy, with the iPhone 17 Air potentially eliminating the physical SIM card slot altogether. This change may help free up interior space, contributing to the model’s slim design.

iPhone 17 Air battery expectations

The small chassis naturally limits battery capacity, and the iPhone 17 Air will be no exception. While exact battery specifications are unknown, it is expected to have a smaller capacity than other iPhone 17 models. Apple can rely on the efficient A19 chip and LTPO display technology to optimize battery life.

iPhone 17 Air price expectations

The price of iPhone 17 Air remains a subject of speculation. Some rumors suggest that it could be positioned as a high-end device, which will cost more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Others believe it will occupy a mid-tier position, with Apple limiting some hardware to keep the device sleek and light.