As we head toward the end of the third quarter of 2024, we come closer to the launch of this year’s iPhone lineup. Apple launches them around September every year. This year, it is the iPhone 16 series.
The iPhone 16 series will come with four models, like last year’s iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. As the names suggest, these are an upgrade to the iPhone 15 series counterparts.
In 2025, however, when the iPhone 17 series comes, we might see a slight change in the lineup. A while back, a report came from a reliable Haitong International Securities analyst, Jeff Pu. In an investor note seen by 9to5Mac, Jeff Pu said that Apple will introduce a new “iPhone 17 Slim” model to replace the “Plus” model of the series. He also mentioned that the iPhone 17 lineup will introduce an improved front camera, dynamic island improvements, and mainly a refreshed design.
iPhone 17 Slim might be iPhone 17 Air
However, now there have been rumors by FrontPageTech that the iPhone 17 Slim might be called iPhone 17 Air instead. It’s more likely this name is going to be the final one.
Apple already makes an iPad Air and MacBook Air; it only makes sense to make an iPhone Air. The iPad Air is a slim iPad that sits between the base iPads and iPad Pros. The MacBook Air follows the same principles as the MacBook Air.
In terms of the processor, the iPhone 17 Air might be slightly weaker than the Pro models. It’s reportedly said to use the A19 chipset, while the pros might use the A19 Pro. Additionally, less titanium might be used in the frames of the non-pro lineup.
The FrontPageTech also shared some concept renders of the potential iPhone 17 Air. In the renders, it’s a familiar iPhone design with a single rear camera, which is a noticeably slimmer form factor. The thickness of the iPhone 17 Air is said to be 5mm. For reference, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are 7.8mm thick, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are 8.3mm thick.
The screen of the iPhone 17 Air is said to be a 6.6-inch panel with a resolution of 1,260 x 2,740. This is similar to the iPhone 15 Plus, which has a 6.7-inch panel with a resolution of 1,290 x 2,796.
iPhone 17 Air leaked price
As mentioned, the iPhone 17 Air will replace the Plus lineup. Hence, it’s going to be more expensive than the base iPhone 17. However, according to leaker IceUniverse on Weibo, the iPhone 17 Air might start at $1,299. We hope this leak doesn’t turn out to be true. The rumored specs at this price don’t make much sense. Despite a higher price, some specs are worse than the current iPhone 15 Plus.
With all that being said, it is also important to take these rumors with a pinch of salt. A large portion of the things mentioned are speculations (like the price tag). It’s not possible to confirm anything yet as the iPhone 17 series launch is more than a year away.
