The iPhone Air, Apple’s Thinnest iPhone May Launch This Year
Beyond its design, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to debut with several groundbreaking features.
Apple is rumoured to be preparing for the launch of its sleekest and most innovative iPhone yet—potentially called the iPhone 17 Air—later this year, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Known for its "Air" branding in MacBooks and iPads, which signifies ultra-thin designs, Apple appears ready to extend this naming strategy to the iPhone lineup.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to be significantly thinner than its predecessors, with a depth estimated between 5.5mm and 6.25mm, making it about 2 millimetres slimmer than current iPhones and the thinnest iPhone ever.
The design choice is not just a design flex but part of Apple’s larger strategy to refine technologies for potential foldable devices in the future.
Beyond its design, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to debut with several groundbreaking features. It will reportedly incorporate Apple’s proprietary cell modem, codenamed Sinope, which will first appear in the iPhone SE 4 earlier in the year. There are also whispers of Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, though it remains unclear if these will be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Air or rolled out across the entire lineup.
The device is rumoured to come equipped with a 6.6-inch ProMotion OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 48-megapixel rear camera, and a 24-megapixel front camera.
Kelechi Edeh
Internally, it is rumoured to run on Apple’s next-gen A19 chip, paired with 8GB of RAM to power Apple Intelligence AI features. These specifications indicate that the iPhone 17 Air could deliver a robust performance experience while maintaining its minimalist design philosophy.
Meanwhile, the launch of the iPhone 17 Air may coincide with several other products expected in the first half of 2025. According to reports, Apple is gearing up to release the iPhone SE 4, which will resemble the iPhone 14 with an A18 chip, and updated iPads that introduce Apple Intelligence support. However, the iPhone 17 Air is likely to be the most striking addition, showcasing Apple’s ability to merge design and innovation.
Apple reportedly views this device as a “testing ground for future technologies,” a step toward eventual foldable iPhones and iPads.
If the rumours are true, this ultra-thin iPhone could become a standout addition to the lineup, offering users not just a lighter and more portable device but also a glimpse into Apple’s ambitious product line.
