Apple's iPhone 17 Air may be the thinnest iPhone yet

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a new iPhone model this fall that could be the thinnest ever. Renowned Apple analyst Mark Gurman has suggested the device will be called the “iPhone 17 Air,”. The “Air” branding, already synonymous with Apple’s thinnest and most premium laptops and tablets, seems fitting for this ultra-slim iPhone. Just as the MacBook Air redefined portability, the iPhone 17 Air aims to set a new standard for iPhone design.

Expected to be around 2 millimeters thinner than the current iPhone 16 models, the iPhone 17 Air could measure as thin as 5.8 millimeters. This extreme slimness is not just an aesthetic choice. It’s a crucial step in Apple’s roadmap towards developing foldable iPhones and iPads, requiring significant advancements in internal component design and manufacturing processes.

The iPhone 17 Air is also rumored to be one of the first iPhones to feature Apple’s in-house 5G modem, codenamed “Sinope,” which is slated to debut in the upcoming iPhone SE 4. Additionally, the device could incorporate Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, further reducing reliance on third-party components.

While specifics remain uncertain, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to have a 6.6-inch ProMotion OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, and a 24-megapixel front-facing camera. It’s also likely to be powered by Apple’s A19 chip and equipped with 8GB of RAM. One intriguing fact is that the iPhone 17 Air might be the first iPhone model to completely eliminate the SIM card tray, a trend Apple initiated in the US last year.

As we approach the summer manufacturing window for the iPhone 17 series, we can expect to see the first dummy units emerge in the coming weeks. These prototypes will provide concrete evidence regarding the existence and design of the iPhone 17 Air, confirming or refuting the circulating rumors. While these are still rumors, the potential arrival of the iPhone 17 Air signifies a significant shift in Apple’s iPhone design philosophy.

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