iPhone 17 Air Price Leak Says It Starts at $1,099

Apple is days away from launching the iPhone 17 lineup, but one model is already making waves before the big reveal. The iPhone 17 Air, Apple’s ultra-thin replacement for the iPhone 16 Plus, is tipped to be the most controversial member of the family, not because of its design, but because of its price.

A Big Jump in Price

According to the latest TrendForce report, the iPhone 17 Air will start at $1,099 for 256GB of storage. That’s the same entry price as last year’s iPhone 16 Pro with the same capacity. The Air will also come in two higher tiers: $1,299 for 512GB and $1,499 for 1TB.

For context, the iPhone 16 Plus started at $899 with 128GB and $999 with 256GB. That makes this year’s Air not only pricier but also positioned much closer to the Pro lineup than ever before. Earlier estimates from J.P. Morgan had suggested a softer $899–$949 starting point, but TrendForce’s numbers set expectations significantly higher.

Specs and Features

The iPhone 17 Air isn’t just about the price hike. Leaks point to a 6.6-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, a first for non-Pro iPhones. It’s expected to run on the A19 chip and come with 12GB of RAM, putting it on par with the Pro models in memory.

But there’s a twist. Instead of the usual dual-camera setup, the Air is rumored to ship with a single 48MP rear camera, while the vanilla iPhone 17 keeps two. On the bright side, all models this year are tipped to feature a new 24MP selfie camera, doubling the resolution from Apple’s long-standing 12MP standard.

Where It Sits in the Lineup

TrendForce’s report also lays out the bigger picture. The vanilla iPhone 17 will stick to its $799 starting price with 128GB storage, while the Pro models will jump to $1,199 for the Pro and $1,299 for the Pro Max, each starting at 256GB.

This puts the iPhone 17 Air in a tricky spot. It’s slimmer and slightly more premium than the vanilla model, but its single rear camera could make it feel like less of a deal compared to the cheaper iPhone 17. At the same time, its price encroaches on Pro territory, raising the question of whether buyers will stretch for the Pro instead.

Despite these pricing concerns, TrendForce projects iPhone 17 shipments to grow 3.5% year-over-year, driven mostly by the Pro models. Still, the Air may face the toughest scrutiny as Apple’s attempt to redefine its mid-tier option.

The Event Ahead

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup at its “Awe Dropping” event on September 9, with a launch date likely set for September 19. Until then, the debate around whether the iPhone 17 Air is worth its premium price will only heat up.