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In this article, we'll cover everything we know about the iPhone 17 Air so far, including leaked specs, features, release timeline, and more.
Apple is gearing up to launch something it hasn’t done in years – an ultra-thin iPhone. Dubbed the iPhone 17 Air, this upcoming model is rumored to bring a fresh design overhaul with a slim chassis, a single rear camera, and features aimed at users who prioritize aesthetics over raw performance.
In this article, we’ll cover everything we know about the iPhone 17 Air so far, including leaked specs, features, release timeline, and more.
Here’s a glimpse of all the specs that we know so far, as well as those rumored and leaked by multiple sources. As mentioned, these are not officially confirmed by Apple yet.
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Design | Ultra-thin chassis (5.5mm); titanium or titanium-aluminium blend |
Display | 6.6-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, ~2740 x 1260 resolution. |
Rear Camera | Single 48MP wide camera on horizontal camera bar |
Front Camera | 24MP upgraded front camera |
Chipset | A19 chip (3nm N3P process) |
RAM | 12GB |
Modem | Apple-designed 5G modem (sub-6GHz only, no mmWave) |
Battery | ~2800mAh, new silicon-anode technology for higher density |
Charging | Up to 35W wired, possible Qi 2.2 wireless charging. |
Pricing | $899 (expected) |
Release Date | September 2025 |
Other Notable Features | Apple C1 modem chip smaller Dynamic Island (metalens tech) MagSafe support Action Button Camera Control button No SIM slot (eSIM only) |
According to Ross Young of DSCC, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a 6.6-inch OLED display, which is slightly smaller than the 6.7-inch display of the iPhone 17 Plus model it may replace. iOS 26 beta 2 even hints at this, with a new wallpaper resolution (1260 x 2736) matching that screen size.
Multiple sources suggest that it could include an LTPO panel with ProMotion technology, allowing a refresh rate to range from 1Hz to 120Hz. This would enable smooth scrolling, Always-On Display, and better battery efficiency—firsts for a non-Pro iPhone.
Also expected: Dynamic Island and Face ID, ensuring a modern display experience even without the Pro label.
As the name implies, the iPhone 17 Air will focus on portability and slimness. Reportedly just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, the device is said to feature an aluminum frame—a departure from the heavier titanium used in Pro models.
It may also feature a “super-hard anti-reflective” glass layer, based on leaks from the Chinese social media site Weibo. While Apple hasn’t confirmed using Gorilla Glass Armor, the description matches closely.
A new design shift includes a wide camera bar, despite housing just one camera sensor. Shared images by Majin Bu and case leaks from Sonny Dickson back up this design. The layout includes cutouts for:
This may be Apple’s move toward a cleaner design language, preparing users for future minimalistic phones.
Unlike the previous rumors suggested, the iPhone 17 Air isn’t getting the regular A19 chip like the base iPhone 17. Instead, it’s now rumoured to feature the A19 Pro chip, making it the first non-Pro iPhone to get a Pro-level processor. This chip is built on TSMC’s 3nm N3P process, just like the Pro models. However, the Air will have a 5-core GPU instead of the Pro’s 6-core GPU, so its graphics performance will be slightly lower.
It’s also expected to get 12GB RAM (up from the previously rumoured 8GB), which should help Apple Intelligence features run smoothly – from writing tools and image playground to notification summaries and more.
The biggest departure from recent iPhones? A single rear camera. Reports suggest the iPhone 17 Air will house a 48MP main lens, along with a 24MP selfie camera.
While this seems underwhelming compared to other phones in its price range, Apple is expected to include its Photonic Engine and Deep Fusion technology, ensuring high-quality images even with fewer sensors.
One interesting twist? A leaked screen protector hints that the front camera will shift to the left side of the Dynamic Island—possibly to accommodate the phone’s ultra-thin internal architecture.
Battery concerns naturally arise with a thinner design. Thinner phones usually compromise battery, and the iPhone 17 Air might pack a small 2,800mAh battery. But leaks suggest Apple will use TDK’s silicon-anode battery tech. This allows higher energy density without increasing size.
Some reports say it could match current iPhones, while others hint at needing a battery case for all-day use. Also, it might support Qi 2.2 wireless charging up to 50W, alongside 35W wired charging.
Leaks suggest that the iPhone 17 Air will debut in a very light sky blue shade, expected to be its signature color. This blue is said to be so pale it might look almost white in dim lighting, matching the Sky Blue of the M4 MacBook Air. Additionally, a new hands-on dummy leak confirms a sleek black variant, giving the ultra-thin model a bold and minimal look.
Apart from sky blue and black, there are no solid leaks about other colors for the Air model. However, given Apple’s track record, classic finishes like Starlight may still be offered to appeal to those preferring neutral shades.
Related: iPhone 17 Colors Leak: All the Latest Shades and Rumors Explained
Yes, the iPhone 17 Air will likely support Apple Intelligence—Apple’s new AI suite in iOS 26. This includes:
However, there’s uncertainty around Visual Intelligence support due to limited info on the presence of a compatible Camera Control button.
Apple’s own C1 5G modem is making a comeback after debuting in this year’s iPhone 16e. Interestingly, other iPhone 17 models might skip this custom-made modem, making the Air unique in that regard. Plus, it will include Wi-Fi 7 support for faster speeds and an eSIM-only design, even in global markets – reflecting Apple’s push towards a portless future.
While the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to replace the iPhone 17 Plus, pricing is still a puzzle:
If all goes as per Apple’s usual schedule, the iPhone 17 Air should launch in September 2025 alongside the entire iPhone 17 lineup.
This timeline provides a clear view of how leaks have evolved over time. These leaks are listed in reverse-chronological (descending) order, with the newest at the top and older ones at the bottom.
July 16, 2025
A new report confirms that the iPhone 17 lineup will support the Qi 2.2 wireless charging standard, allowing up to 25W charging even with third-party MagSafe chargers. Until now, only Apple’s official MagSafe chargers could hit that speed—but Qi 2.2 changes that, offering faster speeds, better magnetic alignment, and improved efficiency.
July 16, 2025
A new report says the iPhone 17 Air could be the only model in the lineup to feature a titanium frame. Analyst Jeff Pu claims the rest—including the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max—will use aluminum instead. The Air is expected to be just 6mm thin, so Apple may be using titanium (or a lighter titanium-aluminum alloy) to avoid bending issues. If true, this would be the first time a non-Pro iPhone gets a titanium build.
July 10, 2025
A new leak claims the iPhone 17 Air will come with Apple’s A19 Pro chip, making it the first non-Pro iPhone to get a Pro-level processor. The leak comes from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, suggesting that while it will get the A19 Pro chip like the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, it will have a 5-core GPU instead of the Pro’s 6-core GPU.
July 9, 2025
A new hands-on video shows the iPhone 17 Air in a sleek black shade, revealing its ultra-thin design with a single rear camera in a full-width camera bar. The dummy unit highlights just how slim the device is, offering a bold look that contrasts with the bulkier iPhone 17 Pro Max. The leak comes from Majin Bu, who shared this video after previously posting dummy images of the Pro Max model. While black gives it a minimal Pixel-like aesthetic, the rumored Sky Blue variant is expected to be the Air’s signature marketing color.
July 9, 2025
A new leak claims the iPhone 17 Air will arrive in a very light sky blue shade, lighter than any previous iPhone blue. The leak comes from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, suggesting it could look almost white in dim light. This matches Apple’s design direction with the M4 MacBook Air’s Sky Blue finish.
June 26, 2025
A new leak suggests that the iPhone 17 Air’s front camera may be positioned to the left of the Dynamic Island, unlike recent iPhones, which sit on the right. The leak comes from Majin Bu, suggesting this could be due to its super-thin 5.5mm design forcing internal rearrangements. However, even the iPhone 16e has a front camera on the left side of the Dynamic Island.
June 23, 2025
Macworld found that iOS 26 beta 2 hints at the iPhone 17 Air, revealing a new 1260 x 2736 resolution Clownfish wallpaper, matching leaks of its 6.6-inch ultra-thin design.
June 5, 2025
New NCC filings suggest that the iPhone 17 could adopt Qi 2.2, enabling wireless charging speeds of up to 50W. Apple’s upcoming MagSafe chargers are listed as Qi 2.2, suggesting faster and more efficient charging, although actual iPhone charging speeds remain unconfirmed.
June 3, 2025
A Chinese leaker claims the iPhone 17 and 17 Air will only feature 120Hz screens, not the true ProMotion with adaptive refresh. This would keep smooth scrolling but hurt battery life and exclude always-on display features. Other sources still expect full ProMotion with LTPO panels to be available across the entire lineup.
May 30, 2025
Analyst Jeff Pu claims all iPhone 17 models will use metalens tech for Face ID, potentially shrinking the Dynamic Island. While Ming-Chi Kuo doubts any size change this year, the integration of metalens could still slim down Face ID components.
The iPhone 18 Pro, however, is rumored to eliminate the Dynamic Island entirely in favor of under-display Face ID and a smaller camera cutout.
May 19, 2025
A report from yeux1122 claims the iPhone 17 Air may weigh just 145g with a 2,800mAh battery, similar to the iPhone 12. A high-density battery could boost its real capacity by 15-20%, helping its ultra-thin 5.5mm design maintain decent battery life. However, the reports on battery life are mixed as of now.
May 16, 2025
According to Bloomberg, the iPhone 17 Air could debut TDK’s silicon-anode batteries, offering up to 15% more energy density. This tech might help its ultra-thin 5.5mm design maintain battery life closer to that of current models, despite mixed reports. TDK plans shipments by June, just in time for the iPhone’s September launch.
May 12, 2025
Apple is reportedly planning price hikes for iPhone 17 models this fall. According to the WSJ, it wants to justify the increases by introducing new features rather than blaming U.S. tariffs.
While production is shifting partly to India, Pro models will remain China-made, and the exact features to balance the higher price remain unclear.
May 3, 2025
Unlike previous rumors, The Information claims that the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air is expected to have worse battery life than current iPhones, with only 60-70% of users lasting a full day without needing a charge. To fix this, Apple reportedly plans to launch an optional battery case. However, this leak is mostly based on the Battery Case.
April 30, 2025
The iPhone 17 Air, at just 5.5mm thick, might have its USB-C port shifted closer to the rear to fit internal parts. Dummy models also show reduced speaker holes and a single rear camera to save space.
April 24, 2025
Ming-Chi Kuo now says the iPhone 17 Air will feature 12GB of RAM, matching the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Earlier, he expected only the Pro Max to get 12GB, so this is a big upgrade.
Kuo added that even the base iPhone 17 might come with 12GB of RAM if supply issues are resolved by May. For reference, all iPhone 16 models have 8GB of RAM. More RAM will enhance Apple Intelligence and improve multitasking performance.
April 22, 2025
Unbox Therapy’s Lewis Hilsenteger demoed the iPhone 17 Air dummy, revealing its extreme thinness at just 5.5mm – the thinnest iPhone ever. He noted concerns about bending, recalling the iPhone 6 Plus’ “bendgate,” but Apple is using titanium and aluminum to strengthen it.
March 19, 2025
Sonny Dickson shared a photo of the first iPhone 17 Air case leak, revealing a camera bar cutout similar to Google Pixel, along with cutouts for the Camera Control button, Action button, and MagSafe support.
March 16, 2025
Photos shared by Sonny Dickson show the iPhone 17 Air dummy model with MagSafe support, an Action button, and a Camera Control button. The dummy also confirms an ultra-thin design with a single rear camera in a large bump. Despite concerns about thickness, the inclusion of MagSafe hints at no compromises on wireless charging.
March 16, 2025
Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) reports the iPhone 17 Air could cost $899, replacing the Plus model. Despite its ultra-thin design, it may offer battery life similar to current iPhones, thanks to power optimizations, a high-density battery, and the efficient C1 modem. It will also feature a Camera Control button.
March 16, 2025
Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) reports Apple considered launching the iPhone 17 Air without a USB-C port but decided to keep it for now. The ultra-thin design hints at future portless iPhones, as Apple plans slimmer models if the Air succeeds.
March 12, 2025
Ice Universe (via Weibo) claims the iPhone 17 Air will have a body thickness of 5.5-6mm but reach 9.5mm at its camera bump. Analysts Kuo and Jeff Pu support the rumors of an ultra-thin design. It’s expected to feature a single rear camera in a Pixel-like bump.
March 6, 2025
Ming-Chi Kuo says the iPhone 17 Air will feature a high-density battery, similar to Apple’s future foldable devices. Combined with its power-efficient C1 modem and single rear camera setup, this could improve battery life despite its ultra-thin 5.5mm body.
February 21, 2025
Jeff Pu (GF Securities) says the iPhone 17 Slim will feature Apple’s first in-house Wi-Fi 7 chip, enabling faster speeds, lower latency, and better connectivity.
While iPhone 16 models already support Wi-Fi 7, this move cuts reliance on Broadcom as Apple pushes for more custom-designed components.
February 20, 2025
Ming-Chi Kuo says the iPhone 17 Air will feature Apple’s C1 modem, first seen in the iPhone 16e. It skips mmWave but integrates deeply with iOS for better battery life.
February 18, 2025
Front Page Tech (Jon Prosser) shared renders showing the iPhone 17 Air with an ultra-thin 5.5mm design and a new rear camera bar. The bar has a single camera on the left, with a mic and flash on the right, similar to Pixel phones.
November 25, 2024
The Information reports that the iPhone 17 Air will be 5-6mm thin, making it Apple’s thinnest phone ever. It may drop the SIM tray, have only a single earpiece speaker, and pack a smaller battery.
Expected features include an A19 chip, a 6.6-inch display, a single rear camera, and Apple’s own 5G modem without mmWave support.
November 1, 2024
ETNews (via South Korea) reports the iPhone 17 Air will get a 120Hz ProMotion LTPO display in 2025, along with all iPhone 17 models. The display supports variable refresh rates for smoother scrolling and battery savings. Samsung and LG will supply these panels, marking the first time ProMotion comes to non-Pro iPhones.
October 18, 2024
Jeff Pu (Haitong) reports that the iPhone 17 Slim, expected in September 2025, will be a mid-tier option and will not cost more than the Pro Max model as previously thought. However, the exact details have not been unveiled yet.
He also confirmed that Air will feature a 6.6-inch display, an A19 chip, 8GB of RAM, a 48MP rear camera, and a 24MP front camera.
September 20, 2024
Display analyst Ross Young says iPhone 17 and the slim iPhone 17 Air may get 120Hz ProMotion displays, making scrolling and video smoother. It’s unclear if these displays will drop to 10Hz or 1Hz for battery-saving always-on mode like Pro models. The iPhone 17 series is expected to be released in September 2025.
August 5, 2024
Leaker Jon Prosser suggests that Apple’s rumored iPhone 17 Slim could actually launch as the iPhone 17 Air, aligning with Apple’s Air branding for thin, lightweight devices like the MacBook Air and iPad Air.
The phone is expected to have a large display, 5mm thickness, a single rear camera, and a high price. Prosser even bet that he would shave his head if Apple named it ‘Slim’ instead of ‘Air’. We’ll know for sure when it launches in 2025.
July 24, 2024
Ming-Chi Kuo says the iPhone 17 Slim will have a single rear camera similar to the iPhone 16e. From previous leaks, we already know it will feature a 48MP sensor, similar to the iPhone 16e.
He also confirmed the previous leaks of a 6.6-inch display, a titanium-aluminum frame, and a focus on ultra-thin design over specs.
May 17, 2024
The Information reports that the iPhone 17 Slim will cost more than the Pro Max ($1,199), becoming Apple’s most expensive phone.
May 17, 2024
The Information reports that the iPhone 17 Slim could get its biggest redesign since the iPhone X, with rear cameras shifting to the top center instead of top left and also suggests a narrower Dynamic Island on the front.
This leak also confirmed a slimmer aluminum body, along with a display size of between 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches. It may also include an A19 chip, an improved front camera, and cost more than the Pro Max.
May 6, 2024
Jeff Pu says the iPhone 17 Slim will replace the Plus in 2025, featuring a 6.6-inch display, an A18 or A19 chip, 8GB of RAM, and an aluminum body. Ross Young adds it may have a 24MP front camera and a 48MP telephoto camera.