Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is poised to make a significant mark as the sleekest iPhone yet. Slated to usher in a new era of design, this model is expected to be remarkably thin—potentially replacing the ‘Plus’ variant with the stylishly minimalist ‘Air’ model. While the device itself will boast a slim profile, with reports suggesting the potential of measuring just 5.5mm in thickness, the camera bump is reported to remain as pronounced as those on current iPhone models.
Fitting snugly between the classic iPhone 17 and the high-end iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 17 Air promises to offer a streamlined aesthetic while maintaining a generous 6.7-inch display, akin to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Although the Information suggests it could be about 6mm thick—slightly thicker than the decade-old iPhone 6 which measured 5.9mm—it’s not set to dethrone the ultra-slim new OLED iPad Pro models, which impressively measure between 5.1mm and 5.3mm.
Prominent industry voices have weighed in, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicting a svelte 5.5mm thickness, and Jeff Pu proposing a sleek 6mm at the thinnest point. This leaves the bulk of the phone exceptionally slim, aside from the inevitable camera bump. According to insights from leaker Ice Universe, the camera bump itself is expected to be around 4mm thick. This means, at its thickest point where the camera is situated, the phone would measure approximately 9.5mm.
On the rear of the iPhone 17 Air, there will likely be a single-lens camera encapsulated within a distinct camera bar or tray, sitting beside an LED flash and microphone—protruding across the top portion of the phone. Meanwhile, the overall design remains familiar with standard button placements and dedicated camera controls.
The iPhone 17 Air is reportedly set to carry over the Fusion Camera from the iPhone 16e, and include a USB-C port alongside Apple’s custom C1 modem, which has garnered favorable comparisons to competitor Qualcomm’s offerings. Anticipation is building for its September launch, aligned with the rest of the iPhone 17 series, promising to capture the attention of tech enthusiasts and Apple aficionados alike.
