Right this moment information
2025-01-29 12:00:00
This yr, Apple is predicted to discontinue the iPhone “Plus” system in its iPhone 17 lineup to make manner for an iPhone “Air,” so-called due to its skinny profile.
Beneath is a compilation of each rumor and leak we’ve got registered from respected sources so far about Apple’s new entry in its flagship smartphone lineup.
iPhone 17 “Air”?
In regards to the Identify
There was some uncertainty about Apple’s technique for the brand new slimmer iPhone mannequin and its place within the lineup. YouTuber Jon Prosser was first to recommend that the system could possibly be positioned as an “iPhone Air.” Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman has since come out in settlement in regards to the naming, which Apple may use to spice up gross sales.
Changing the iPhone “Plus,” which, just like the “mini” fashions earlier than it, has not bought properly, the iPhone 17 Air will characterize a brand new method in Apple’s iPhone lineup, providing a tool with a considerably thinner design that sits between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Professional.
Gurman believes that the design of the iPhone 17 Air will “simply be a step towards one thing higher” since Apple will finally wish to “squeeze the facility of a Professional mannequin into this smaller design.” Nevertheless, he doesn’t count on this to happen earlier than 2027 on the earliest.
Machine Thickness Rumors
Thinner Than iPhone 6
Based on The Info, Apple’s all-new iPhone 17 mannequin subsequent yr may have a “considerably thinner” design with an aluminum chassis, slightly than a titanium casing like Apple’s Professional fashions.
There have been combined rumors on simply how skinny Apple will have the ability to make it. Rumors have hovered round 6mm, nonetheless in a latest report, dependable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned that he expects the iPhone to measure in at about 5.5mm at its thinnest level. At 5.5mm, the iPhone 17 Air could be the thinnest iPhone so far – thinner than the 6.9mm iPhone 6 that got here out in 2014. 5.5mm could be roughly 30% thinner than the iPhone 16, which measures in at 7.8mm thick, and 33% thinner than the iPhone 16 Professional fashions, that are 8.25mm thick.
The system is alleged to have solely a single speaker, within the earpiece, as there’s apparently not sufficient room for a second speaker on the underside edge. The Info additionally claims that the system will function a narrower Dynamic Island, although this particular declare has since been contested. Internally code-named D23, the system’s redesign has been described as a serious one equal to the iPhone X.
Show Dimension
Smaller Than Plus Mannequin
The primary particulars in regards to the dimension of the system’s show arrived courtesy of Haitong Worldwide Securities analyst Jeff Pu, who mentioned it could be 6.6 inches. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has since corroborated Pu’s declare.
Nevertheless, in keeping with Show Provide Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Younger, it’ll function a 6.55-inch show. For comparability, the iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7-inch show. Apple remains to be mentioned to be testing completely different designs for the slimmer cellphone, so the show dimension may all the time change between now and the system’s launch.
At all times-On Show
ProMotion Assist
Apple intends to increase ProMotion to the complete lineup in 2025, together with the iPhone 17 “Air,” permitting all iPhone 17 fashions to ramp as much as a 120Hz refresh fee for smoother scrolling and video content material when essential.
Beforehand, solely “Professional” fashions in Apple’s iPhone lineup have supported ProMotion. Notably, ProMotion would additionally allow the show on the iPhone 17 “Air” to ramp all the way down to a extra power-efficient refresh fee as little as 1Hz, permitting for an always-on show that may present the Lock Display screen’s clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the system is locked.
Digicam Redesign
Relocated Lens
The Info claimed that the iPhone 17 Air may have cameras in places we have not seen earlier than on an iPhone. Based on a Could report, the rear cameras could possibly be moved to the “high heart” of the system. Some Android telephones like Google’s Pixel 9 Professional have rear cameras in a top-center place, or in a runway-style horizontal bar, however Apple’s iPhone digital camera system has occupied the top-left nook ever because the 2007 mannequin.
Including to the intrigue, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that the system may have just one digital camera, versus two or three.
Extra Sturdy Display screen
Anti-Reflective Coating
All iPhone 17 fashions will function an anti-reflective show that’s extra scratch-resistant than Apple’s Ceramic Protect discovered on iPhone 15 fashions, in keeping with Chinese language Weibo leaker Immediate Digital.
The outer glass on the iPhone 17 sequence is alleged to have a “super-hard anti-reflective layer” that’s “extra scratch-resistant.” It isn’t clear whether or not Apple is planning to undertake the Gorilla Glass Armor that Samsung makes use of in its Galaxy S24 Extremely, however the description of Corning’s newest know-how matches the rumor.
Improved Entrance Digicam
Higher Selfies
Based on Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the complete iPhone 17 lineup will function a 24-megapixel front-facing digital camera with a six-element lens. The iPhone 14 and 15 function a 12-megapixel front-facing digital camera with 5 plastic lens components, and this yr’s iPhone 16 lineup options the identical {hardware}.
The upgraded decision on the iPhone 17 will permit pictures to take care of their high quality even when cropped or zoomed in, whereas the bigger variety of pixels will seize finer particulars. The improve to a six-element lens must also barely improve picture high quality.
Extra RAM
Apple Intelligence
Haitong analyst Jeff Pu claims the iPhone 17 Air will function 8GB of RAM, in comparison with 6GB of RAM on the iPhone 15 Plus. It is price noting that every one iPhone 16 fashions are fitted with 8GB of RAM – a {hardware} requirement of on-device Apple Intelligence – so it is virtually a surety that the slim system will comply with swimsuit.
Subsequent-Gen Processor
Higher Efficiency
Based on The Info and Haitong Worldwide analyst Jeff Pu, the system will likely be outfitted with Apple’s A19 chip, which is prone to be primarily based on an optimized model of TSMC’s 3nm course of, presumably N3P or N3X. In distinction, the iPhone 17 Professional and iPhone 17 Professional Max are anticipated to incorporate an A19 Professional chip. In comparison with earlier variations of 3nm chips, the N3P chips provide elevated efficiency effectivity and elevated transistor density.
In-Home Parts
Customized 5G Modem and Wi-Fi Chip
The slim system might also be one of many first iPhones to make use of an Apple-made 5G modem, second solely to the forthcoming iPhone SE 4. Apple’s new modem may carry enhancements, similar to improved pace, higher vitality effectivity.
Based on Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, at least one iPhone 17 mannequin launching subsequent yr will likely be outfitted with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip, and Kuo additionally expects Apple’s 5G modem for use within the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 mannequin.
eSIM Worldwide
No SIM Card Slot
The slim system will lack a bodily SIM card slot, and as an alternative rely completely on digital eSIM know-how, in keeping with Ming-Chi Kuo. Within the U.S., all iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 fashions lack a bodily SIM card tray already, however all iPhones bought in different international locations nonetheless have one for now.
The shortage of a SIM card slot in all forthcoming iPhone 17 fashions worldwide has been beforehand reported, however it isn’t clear how the gadgets could be bought within the Chinese language market, the place using eSIMs in smartphones just isn’t presently licensed.
Pricing Rumors
Premium or Reasonably priced?
The Info reported that the slimmer iPhone 17 may have the next price ticket than the Professional Max mannequin, which presently begins at $1,199, regardless of strategies that it’s going to not be as feature-rich as Apple’s top-tier Max.
Nevertheless, Haitong Worldwide analyst Jeff Pu believes the system will likely be a mid-tier iPhone that replaces the Plus mannequin. Moreover, a report out of China has claimed that the ultra-thin iPhone 17’s worth will likely be just like that of the iPhone 16 Plus, which begins at $899 in america.
