Apple’s iPhone 17 ‘Air’: The Slimmest iPhone Yet at Just 6.25mm, Compared to 8.25mm of iPhone 16 Pro

Apple is gearing up for the release of its next-gen iPhones, with the upcoming models expected to showcase a significant reduction in thickness. According to a recent report by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the tech giant intends to introduce custom 5G modems for its iPhone, iPad, and Mac lineup, starting with the iPhone SE 4 in early 2024. Notably, the iPhone 17 ‘Air’ is anticipated to be 2mm thinner than the current iPhone 16 Pro models.

iPhone 17 ‘Air’: A New Benchmark in Slimness

To put this in perspective, the iPhone 16 Pro measures 8.25mm in thickness, which means the new iPhone 17 ‘Air’ could be as thin as 6.25mm. While this won’t set a new record for the slimmest Apple device— as the 13-inch iPad Pro is over 1mm thinner— it does reflect a noteworthy engineering challenge the company faces. Previous reports indicated difficulties in developing the battery substrate, suggesting that Apple may prioritize a slightly thicker profile compared to the iPad Pro.

Regardless, the iPhone 17 ‘Air’ is poised to be the thinnest iPhone to date, surpassing the iPhone 6’s thickness of 6.9mm. This shift back to a more slender design is noteworthy after a trend toward bulkier devices following the iPhone 6’s launch.

Interestingly, the iPhone 17 ‘Air’ will present a unique offering in Apple’s iPhone lineup. While this model embraces an ultra-thin design, other models in the series will likely retain the silhouette of the current iPhone 16. It’s also worth noting that Apple is expected to price the iPhone 17 ‘Air’ higher than the base model, capitalizing on its innovative design. Internally, however, it will share specifications with the basic iPhone 17. Additionally, it will mark the debut of Apple’s first 5G modem, which is likely to lag behind Qualcomm’s offerings in terms of performance.

Previous insights into the iPhone 17 ‘Air’ hinted at a potential thickness range of 5mm to 6mm. Achieving a tailored design akin to the iPad Pro would undoubtedly set a new industry standard. However, whether this slim profile will be extended across the entire iPhone 17 lineup remains uncertain. Reports suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro may feature a hybrid part-aluminum and part-glass design, potentially abandoning the premium titanium finish currently used in ‘Pro’ models.

As anticipation builds for these developments, it raises the question: Will Apple indeed forgo titanium for aluminum in the iPhone 17 Pro? Only time will tell.

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