Apple is cooking up something new for 2025.
If the rumors are to be believed, we might be looking at a complete redesign of the iPhone lineup, with a new model that could introduce the thinnest Apple* product ever, a title currently held by the new iPad Pro.
Farewell, Big iPhone
It seems one iPhone model might be on its way out. The iPhone Plus series.
After just three generations, Apple appears ready to shake things up. The Plus model will make way for a sleeker, more refined design in the form of a new iPhone, which people online call the iPhone 17 Air.
But what’s driving this change, and what can we expect from this new addition to the iPhone family?
Thin Is In
The most striking feature of the rumored iPhone 17 Air? Its thickness – or rather, its lack thereof.
We’re talking about a device that could measure a mere 5mm in thickness. To put that into perspective, the current iPhone 16 Pro Max is 8.25mm thick.
That is a potential reduction of 35-40% in thickness.”How is this even possible?”
This ultra-slim design isn’t coming out of nowhere. Earlier this year, Apple showed off the iPad Pro, with a thickness of just 5.3mm for the 11-inch model and 5.1mm for the 13-inch variant.
Apple proudly declared it their thinnest product ever, beating out even some of their iPod Nano models from years past.
It seems they’re ready to push those boundaries even further with the iPhone.
Not Just Thin, But Mighty
But the iPhone 17 Air isn’t just about winning the thinness race. Apple is finally bringing some long-awaited and quite frankly long-overdue features to their non-Pro models.
First up: ProMotion display technology.
After years of being a Pro-exclusive feature, the standard iPhone models, including the Air, will finally get the smooth, responsive screens we’ve been craving.
We’re talking about a display that can adapt from 1Hz all the way up to 120Hz, complete with an always-on display feature.
This is huge news for anyone who’s been eyeing those buttery-smooth Pro screens but couldn’t justify the price jump.
Apple finally stops cheaping out there.
A Slight Shift in Size
Size-wise, we might see some subtle changes as well.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to sport a 6.55-inch display, slightly smaller than the current 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus.
Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 17 might grow a bit, potentially matching the iPhone 16 Pro’s 6.3-inch display. It’s a small shuffle, but one that could make the lineup feel more cohesive.
Simplicity in Design
One of the most intriguing rumors about the iPhone 17 Air is its camera setup. Unlike the dual or triple camera arrays we’ve grown accustomed to, the Air might strip things back to a single, powerful rear camera.
Don’t let that fool you, though.
We’re likely looking at a top-notch 48-megapixel shooter capable of 2x zoom through cropping.
It’s a bold move that speaks to the Air’s philosophy: streamlined, essential, and focused on being incredibly thin and light.
Selfie Game Strong
While the rear camera might be simplified, the front camera is getting an upgrade across the entire iPhone 17 line.
We’re hearing about a new 24-megapixel selfie camera, a significant jump from the 12-megapixel sensor that’s been a staple since the iPhone 14.
Coupled with a potentially smaller Dynamic Island, we could be looking at more screen real estate and better selfies.
Win-win, right?
Power and Efficiency
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to pack Apple’s A19 chip (not to be confused with the A19 Pro for the higher-end models). Built on TSMC’s next-generation 2nm process, this chip promises to be even more efficient than the A18 and A18 Pro.
What does this mean for you?
Potentially, it means that even with a slimmer profile and possibly smaller battery, the iPhone 17 Air could match or exceed the battery life of current models like the iPhone 16 Plus.
The Big Picture
So, what are we looking at here?
The iPhone 17 Air could be a new thing.
It’s not just about being thin; it’s about the differences and uniqueness of non-Pro iPhones.
Premium features like ProMotion and always-on display to a wider audience, coupled with a new thin design.
The Bottom Line
The iPhone 17 lineup is a year away, and a lot can change in tech. But if these rumors hold water, we could be looking at one of the most significant iPhone redesigns in years.
What do you think?
Good or not good enough?