Apple’s pursuit of a thinner iPhone design has taken a significant leap forward with reports suggesting the upcoming ‘iPhone 17 Air’ will measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, marking a dramatic shift in the company’s hardware strategy while potentially signaling a broader move toward a SIM-free future.
According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s latest blog post, this ultra-thin design would make it the slimmest iPhone ever produced, surpassing the iPhone 6’s previous record of 6.9mm. For perspective, the device would be:
- 30% thinner than current iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models
- 33% thinner than iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max variants
- Approaching the 13-inch iPad Pro’s remarkable 5.1mm thickness
This dramatic reduction in thickness comes with several notable design compromises. The device will completely eliminate the physical SIM card slot, expanding Apple’s eSIM-only strategy that began with the iPhone 14 series in the United States. This move represents a significant evolution in Apple’s approach to cellular connectivity, though it may present challenges in markets where physical SIM cards remain prevalent.
The device’s slim profile necessitates other technical adaptations, including a single 48-megapixel rear camera and a redesigned speaker system that forgoes the traditional stereo setup for a single speaker at the top. The device will incorporate Apple’s new proprietary 5G modem, which, while more energy-efficient, won’t support the fastest mmWave 5G speeds, offering theoretical download speeds of up to 4Gb/s.
Despite these compromises, the iPhone 17 Air will feature several technological advances, including a 120Hz ProMotion display with enhanced anti-reflective properties and improved scratch resistance compared to the current Ceramic Shield technology. The device will also incorporate Apple’s latest Wi-Fi 7 chip for improved wireless connectivity efficiency.
Expected to replace the iPhone 16 Plus in the lineup, the iPhone 17 Air will join the standard iPhone 17 and Pro models when it enters mass production in the second half of 2025. While featuring a standard A19 chip instead of the Pro variant, the device is still anticipated to command a premium price point, reflecting its unique position in Apple’s product strategy.
The timing of this release aligns with broader industry trends toward sleeker form factors and digital-first connectivity solutions, though the success of such a dramatic design shift will likely depend on market readiness for eSIM adoption and consumer willingness to embrace the associated trade-offs.
