APPLE

iPhone 17 Air: Apple's new ultra-thin device redefines thinness, but is it worth it?

Apple seems to be preparing a significant change in its iPhone lineup for the end of this year. It's saying goodbye to the Plus model, as rumors indicate that the Cupertino giant will present something completely new: the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. And thanks to new images that have surfaced online, we can now get an idea of ​​what's coming, with a side-by-side comparison.

Recent photos shared on social media show a demo unit (dummy) of the iPhone 17 Air next to the current iPhone 16 Plus, and the difference in size is notable. The 17 Air is said to be a mere 5.4 mm thick, a clear contrast to the 7.8 mm of the 16 Plus. Although on paper the difference may not seem colossal, visually the impact is quite considerable when you see them together.

Of course, achieving such a reduced thickness involves some sacrifices. To achieve this slim profile, Apple will reportedly have to make some cuts. The iPhone 17 Air is said to feature just a single rear camera — likely a 48MP sensor, similar to the one found on the iPhone 16e, which is priced at around €550.

But the compromises don't stop there. The new model could also lose a second speaker and come equipped with a considerably smaller battery. We're talking about a 2,800mAh cell, which falls well short of even the already modest 3,900mAh battery found on the Galaxy S25 Edge. So yes, while it will be super thin and light, you will have to give up some functionality.

It's not all compromises on the new Air... However, it's not all signs of a step backwards. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to come with a 6.7-inch OLED display and — unlike the current Plus — could finally bring ProMotion technology (Apple's 120Hz refresh rate) to this segment. This would be a welcome improvement and one that has been much requested by users.

The Plus model has struggled to sell since it was introduced with the iPhone 14, so it’s no surprise that Apple is trying a different approach. The company did something similar with the iPhone mini, when it also failed to achieve the sales success expected. However, considering the compromises that the 17 Air appears to bring, it’s hard not to wonder if it will end up suffering the same fate.

We won’t have to wait long to find out, though. The full iPhone 17 lineup is expected to be announced as early as September. As for pricing, rumors suggest that the iPhone 17 Air could start at €830 — similar to the iPhone 16 Plus. However, some have also suggested that Apple could charge a higher price simply because it’s an ultra-thin new model.

Samsung did the same with its Galaxy S25 Edge, which is 5.8mm thick and costs €100 more than the Galaxy S25 Plus, despite making similar sacrifices in battery and camera. So if Apple follows this logic, don't be surprised if the iPhone 17 Air comes with a higher price tag just for being the most elegant iPhone ever. We'll just have to wait for more news and the official presentation.

mundophone