Apple’s next big release, the iPhone 17 Air, was expected to be an ultra-thin model. But now, it’s likely to be thicker than planned. Initially, Apple wanted to make the iPhone 17 Air super slim by using a high-density battery, similar to the 6.9mm thickness of the iPhone 6. Unfortunately, they faced some issues making this type of battery and had to change their plans. Now, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be over 7mm thick, a bit less thin than Apple had hoped.
People are wondering if the iPhone 17 Air will stand out since the current iPhone 16 Plus, which the Air might replace, is already 7.8mm thick. Even so, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to come with some great upgrades, like a 120Hz display with ProMotion, an improved 48MP rear camera, and a boost in front camera resolution from 12MP to 24MP. It will also likely include Apple’s own 5G modem for faster internet.
Interestingly, Apple isn’t the only company dealing with challenges in creating an ultra-slim design. Samsung, which plans to release a slim Galaxy S25 model next year, is also having trouble with its battery density, which might lead to a slightly thicker design. Samsung is testing a new battery technology, but these limitations may mean fewer units of the Galaxy S25 Slim will be available at launch.
As more details come out, we’ll keep you posted. Check out our iPhone 17 Air roundup for all the latest updates on Apple’s plans for its next “slim” iPhone.
