Apple is reportedly preparing to release its thinnest iPhone to date with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air. According to leaked images and early impressions from prototype models, the device could measure approximately 5.65mm in thickness. This would make it slimmer than Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, which is said to be around 6.4mm thick.
To achieve this thin profile, the iPhone 17 Air may introduce several design changes. Reports suggest the device will feature a single rear camera, a shift from the multi-lens systems used in recent iPhones. It is also expected to drop the physical SIM card tray in favour of an eSIM-only setup. In addition, it may come with a single speaker built into the earpiece rather than a traditional bottom-firing speaker arrangement.
Despite its reduced size, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to retain several high-end features. These include a 6.6-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and performance powered by Apple’s upcoming A19 chip alongside a custom 5G modem. However, the significantly thinner chassis could limit battery capacity, though Apple is reportedly aiming to maintain battery life at levels comparable to previous models through improved efficiency.
The iPhone 17 Air is anticipated to launch in September 2025, with pricing expected to start around $900. While details remain unofficial, the device appears to represent a notable shift in Apple’s hardware design strategy.
If these early details are accurate, the iPhone 17 Air may set a new benchmark for slim smartphones, raising questions about trade-offs between form factor and functionality. As with all pre-release information, specifics may change before the official announcement.
