If the iPhone 17 leak we reported last year wasn't enough to persuade you to snag it in September 2025, maybe this new information about the iPhone 17 Air will change your mind.
We all know that the iPhone Plus model will be discontinued in this year's release. This could hint that Apple is going all-in to bring state-of-the-art features for the newest variant in the lineup.
Take a look at these seven new features to see what awaits you.
Ultra-Thin Design: The Slimmest iPhone on the Planet
Apple is taking a risk with the iPhone 17 Air by putting thinness first. Following the design of the M4 iPad Pro, which is thin and sleek, the 17 Air will allegedly be 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point, making it the thinnest iPhone yet, according to Ming-Chi Kuo. The iPhone 16 Pro is 8.25mm, and Apple's previous thinnest phone, the iPhone 6, was 6.9mm.
Read more: iPhone 17 Air Could Land as Official Model in the Lineup: Thinnest Smartphone With No SIM Slot
6.6-Inch Screen: The Ideal Middle Ground
Aside from its ultra-slim design, Apple is bringing the 6.6-inch screen to the table, providing a middle ground between the 6.3-inch iPhone 17 Pro and the 6.9-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max. Being ultra-thin, the iPhone 17 Air aims to be compact yet roomy, attracting both Pro and Pro Max users alike.
Apple's In-House C1 Modem for Greater Connectivity
The iPhone 17 Air will incorporate Apple's in-house C1 modem, a technology that took years to develop. First introduced on the iPhone 16e, the modem should provide higher speeds, increased efficiency, and improved network dependability, differentiating the 17 Air from all other devices.
24MP Front Camera: Best Selfies Yet
Apple is substantially enhancing its front camera from 12MP to 24MP on all iPhone 17 models. According to 9to5Mac, the enhancement provides better selfies, improved low-light captures, and superior video call quality. Although the front camera continues to fall behind the rear lens, this improvement is a substantial leap forward.
Always-On Display & High Refresh Rate
The Cupertino giant is finally introducing two high-end display features to the iPhone 17 Air.
First is the Always-On Display, a previously Pro-model-only feature. The second one is the ProMotion Refresh Rate. However, speculation is that Apple may roll out a 90Hz refresh rate in place of the 120Hz on Pro models. Should this be true, it would close the gap between the base and Pro iPhones without keeping the greatest tech for the high-end devices.
Single 48MP Rear Camera with 'Bar' Design
A significant design shift is in store for the iPhone 17 Air. In contrast to the triple-camera arrangement on Pro variants or the dual-lens setup on the standard model, the 17 Air will have a lone 48MP primary camera.
The leaked design hints at a bar-shaped camera arrangement, which is quite different from the conventional Pro camera module.
Though it does not have a telephoto or ultra-wide lens, the "Fusion" camera technology should still provide great photo quality.
A19 Chip: Power Meets Efficiency
Apple is introducing two new chips for the iPhone 17 series: the A19 chip for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air and the A19 Pro chip for the Pro variants.
Though the A19 Pro will enjoy a performance advantage in demanding tasks, the regular A19 chip will also be a beast, dominating AI processing, gaming, and overall efficiency.
Should You Upgrade to the iPhone 17 Air?
With its extremely thin build, enhanced camera system, high refresh rate, and A19 chip, the iPhone 17 Air is no wonder a hot pick for iPhone fans. If you want to have a close look, we will need to wait for a few months before we officially see it in the market.
In December, it was rumored to be around $899. However, since it's cheaper than the Pro models, expect some tradeoffs on its end.
