On April 8th, tech leaker @MajinBuOfficial shared hands-on photos of the rumored iPhone 17 Air model , directly comparing it to the iPhone 16e, which measures 7.80mm in thickness. The key takeaway? The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made.
iPhone 17 Air: Possibly Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Yet
According to previous leaks, the iPhone 17 Air will have a total thickness of 9.5mm including the camera bump, making it thinner than any previous iPhone model when factoring in the main body. In contrast, the iPhone 16e comes in at 7.80mm. Despite the bump, the iPhone 17 Air’s ultra-slim body is expected to give it a sleeker and more refined in-hand feel.
- Inspired by Mac Pro
- CNC Aluminum Case
- Integrated SSD Slot
- Advanced Cooling Design
- Seamless One-Piece Body
- Enhanced Power Button
- Inspired by Mac Pro
- CNC Aluminum Case
- Seamless One-Piece Body
- Enhanced Heat Dissipation
Pixel-Inspired Camera Design
From the leaked photos, the iPhone 17 Air appears to feature a single 48MP rear camera. The large camera module resembles the design language of the Google Pixel series, with a wide camera island placed on the back. And the sides of the device show new hardware additions, including a camera control button and another custom action button.
Display & Specs: A Light, Yet Powerful Package
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to sport a 6.6-inch 120Hz ProMotion display with Dynamic Island, delivering a smooth and responsive experience. Under the hood, it's expected to run on the standard A19 chip (not the Pro version), alongside Apple’s in-house C1 modem chip. While it will pack slightly less than 4,000mAh of battery capacity, Apple is likely optimizing for efficiency, especially given the slim chassis.
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eSIM Only: No Physical SIM Slot
One major design compromise with the ultra-thin form factor is the removal of the physical SIM card slot. The iPhone 17 Air is said to support eSIM only, continuing Apple’s push toward a portless, cleaner design. This might be a dealbreaker for users who rely on physical SIM cards—especially in regions where eSIM is not widely adopted.
Replacing the Plus Model in September
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to launch in September, alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Interestingly, Apple is said to be replacing the "Plus" model with the Air.
Conclusion
If the leaks are accurate, the iPhone 17 Air will be a major shift in Apple’s design philosophy—bringing a thinner, lighter, and possibly more refined experience than the iPhone 16e. While the 16e might appeal to budget-conscious users, the 17 Air could attract those who value sleek design and cutting-edge features.Stay tuned as we await the official announcement this fall.
