The iPhone 17 Air: Everything We Know About the Rumoured Ultra-Thin iPhone

There’s the iPhone Pro, Pro Max, Plus, SE, and just the regular iPhone – but have you ever heard of an iPhone Air? This edition, typically associated with lighter versions of the iPad or MacBook, is rumoured to be making its debut with the launch of the iPhone 17, expected to launch in autumn of 2025.

Whether you’ve heard the rumours or not, we think this is an incredibly exciting potential addition to the iPhone lineup. While nothing has been confirmed by Apple, we’ll be running through what fans are predicting will be in this phone, including features, design changes, and how it will compare to existing models.

What is the iPhone 17 Air?

Autumn tends to be when Apple announces its newest releases (the iPhone 16 was announced and released in September 2024), and rumours suggest that this year, there’ll be a new ultra-thin iPhone nicknamed the “17 Air”. It’s expected to be the slimmest iPhone ever and may replace the ‘Plus’ size in the lineup.

The 17 Air is expected to have a 6.6-inch OLED screen, a 5.5mm chassis (not including the cameras), and will use the newest A19 processor. By comparison, the current iPhone 16 Pro is around 8.25mm thick.

Despite the thinner main part of the phone, if the cameras are to compete with those seen in the 16, we anticipate the camera module to be noticeably thicker. Because of these features, we may expect this model to sit between the base iPhone 17 and the Pro in terms of size and price.

What is the Appeal of a Thinner iPhone?

Users of the iPad Air or MacBook Air will know that these variations are designed to be extra-portable. Rumours currently state that the phone will weigh only around 145 grams, which is most similar to small iPhones like the iPhone SE (2020).

The phone should feel very light in the hand, without compromising on features or design, meaning you get the classic iPhone experience with a model that’s easier to transport.

However, rumours speculate that the slimmer frame will result in a smaller battery, which could be off putting for some Apple users. To learn more about whether the slim frame will mean a smaller battery, it might be best to wait until official specs release.

What About the Cameras?

Apple is known for its advanced cameras, but does having a slimmer frame mean reduced camera capabilities?

Many fans are predicting that the 17 Air will have a single-lens rear camera, likely a 48MP sensor (similar to the 16 Pro’s main sensor). This means that based on current rumours, there will be no ultra-wide or telephoto lens on the Air 17 – those features will remain exclusive to the Pro models.

With regards to the front camera, we expect that it will match whatever is in the other 17 variants. If you’re into phone photography, investing in a model like the Pro or the Pro Max might be better than the ultra-thin version.

When will the iPhone 17 Air Be Released?

All indications are that Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 Air at its usual September event. Initial rumours suggest that the launch price will be somewhere between the base model and the pricier Pro phones. If this turns out to be accurate, this will position the 17 Air around the same price point as the 16 Plus, suggesting that this phone will be a replacement. In any case, it’s expected to cost less than the Pro, hinting that there might be some hardware compromises, like the single camera.

Should You Sell Your Old iPhone?

The release of the new iPhone 17s is fast approaching, and we expect that tech enthusiasts will be eager to get their hands on the all-new Air model quickly. You’ve still got some time to save up, so it’s the perfect time to get your current phone sold, and make some cash towards a new purchase:

  • Fund your upgrade: Selling your old iPhone can give you a sizeable amount of cash to put away for the new 17 Air. We accept all kinds of devices through our ‘sell my iPhone’ service, including older, faulty, and worn-down phones.
  • Sell any device: It’s not just phones you can sell with Mazuma. If you’ve got an old iPad, MacBook, or even an Apple Watch, we can accept them. For those making the switch from Android, we also cater to devices like the Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S Series, too. Don’t forget, if you’re a company looking to sell bulk quantities of phones, check out our Mazuma Business
  • Help the planet: Recycling electronics is an eco-friendly choice, it keeps mobile phones out of Landfills and many components of devices can often be reused.

The promise of a brand new Apple device is exciting, even though it hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. To get ready for the potential release in September, find your device on our website, enter its condition, and get a quick quote for how much you could earn. For questions about how it works, or the devices we accept, please get in touch with our team.