Apple is introducing a new “Slim” iPhone to their lineup next year, as per several reliable reports. While earlier leaks suggested that they’d price it higher than the Pro model, new reports suggest otherwise. The iPhone 17 Air could come in at a lower price than the Pro models.
Apple could replace the current Plus model with the Air option. So, the iPhone 17 Air could be priced at $899, which is lower than the $999 iPhone 16 Pro, which matches the iPhone 16 Plus.
Earlier, reports said that Apple might continue the Plus model for $899 and price the Air model much higher. However, this doesn’t make sense practically and is a weird decision that does not make sense.
People usually opt for the phone with Pro in the name over the Air, especially when the Pro in question is cheaper. The “Air” model already has a reputation for being the more value-oriented option, like the M2 iPad Air and MacBook Air lineup. It doesn’t make sense for Apple to price the slimmer variant higher than the Pro model.
From what we know, the iPhone 17 Air doesn’t have anything noteworthy except for the slim form factor. Durability remains questionable, especially in the reports on iPad Pro’s issues. If Apple manages to pull off a slim iPhone, it’s still merely a form factor/ design thing and not something exactly functional. They earlier planned to make it even slimmer, but the project was not successful, and the new version is only a few millimeters slimmer than their own Plus model.
We know that the project is currently in the green light. Soon, it will move to the final prototype and manufacturing phase.
Specifications do not look promising for now. There’s allegedly only a single camera at the back. That means it has no ultrawide. If they position it the same as the Plus models, the base variant is going to be more value for money. Spending the extra 100$ for the Pro makes more sense for most people, too. Most leakers report that all variants will have LTPO 120Hz panels.
