According to leaks, it will measure just 5.5mm thick—but before you get too excited, there’s a catch. The device is also expected to feature a 4mm camera bump, meaning its thickest point will actually be 9.5mm.
The iPhone 17 Air isn’t just about looks; it’s also making some key compromises to achieve this ultra-thin design. Reports suggest it will feature a 6.9-inch LTPO OLED display, the same size as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but with just one rear camera.
Battery life could also take a hit, with estimates suggesting a battery between 3,000 mAh and 4,000 mAh. That’s significantly smaller than many current iPhones, meaning Apple may need serious software optimisations to keep it running all day.
Replacing the Plus model, the iPhone 17 Air will reportedly have a titanium frame instead of aluminum, according to analyst Jeff Pu. Titanium is stronger but heavier and more expensive than aluminum, making it a strategic choice to prevent bending in such a thin design. However, Ming-Chi Kuo suggests the device may use a titanium-aluminum hybrid frame, balancing durability, weight, and cost.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max are rumoured to feature aluminum frames, a shift from the previous Pro models that used titanium. Some reports, however, dispute this claim, suggesting the Pro versions may retain titanium.
The iPhone 17 series could also mark Apple’s first carbon-neutral smartphones, aligning with its goal to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2030. Additionally, the lineup is expected to see a modest increase in wired charging speeds, from 30W to 35W, making for slightly faster charging times.
While Apple has yet to confirm any of these details, the iPhone 17 Air’s ultra-thin design, material changes, and improved charging speeds indicate a significant design overhaul for the 2025 lineup.
