Everything we know about the 2025 iPhone lineup suggests a massive pivot. For years, Apple has played it safe with the "Plus" model, basically just giving people a bigger screen and a bigger battery for a couple hundred bucks more. It didn't work. People weren't buying it. So, the rumor mill—and specifically analysts like Jeff Pu and Ross Young—indicates that Apple is killing the Plus and replacing it with something entirely different. They’re calling it the "iPhone 17 Air," though some leakers still use the "Slim" moniker. The iPhone 17 Air size is the entire point of this device. It isn’t about being the most powerful; it’s about being the thinnest thing Apple has ever put in a pocket.
It’s weird, right?
We spent a decade wanting bigger phones. Now, Apple thinks we want thin ones again. If you remember the iPad Pro M4 launch from earlier this year, you saw the blueprint. Apple managed to make a tablet that is thinner than an iPod Nano. That was the "proof of concept." Now, they’re bringing that "tandem OLED" and specialized thermal management to the iPhone. But here's the catch: making a phone that thin means you have to change almost everything about the internals.
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The Physical Dimensions: How Big is it Really?
Let’s talk numbers. The iPhone 17 Air size is expected to center around a 6.6-inch display. This is a bit of a "Goldilocks" zone. It's smaller than the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus or 16 Plus, but significantly larger than the standard 6.1-inch base model. Ross Young, who has a stellar track record with display supply chains, has been pretty vocal about this 6.6-inch target. It’s a deliberate choice. By shaving off that 0.1 inch, Apple creates a unique silhouette that doesn't compete directly with the Pro Max.
The thickness is where things get wild. Currently, an iPhone 16 is about 7.8mm thick. Rumors suggest Apple is aiming to get the Air down to somewhere between 5mm and 6mm. That sounds tiny because it is. To achieve this, Apple is reportedly looking at a new type of battery technology called "sub-millimeter" substrate, which allows for a thinner logic board. But there’s a trade-off. You can't fit a massive triple-lens camera system into a 5mm chassis. Physics won't allow it.
The Single Camera Controversy
You’ve probably heard the rumors that this "premium" phone might only have one camera. Honestly, it sounds like a step backward. Why would you pay more for fewer cameras?
Well, it goes back to that iPhone 17 Air size constraint.
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If the chassis is incredibly thin, the camera "bump" becomes a massive structural problem. To keep the phone sleek, Apple is rumored to be moving the camera to the top-center of the back, similar to the old Google Pixel 6 design but much more refined. This would likely be a single, high-resolution 48MP wide sensor. It’s a gamble. Apple is betting that a certain segment of users cares more about how the phone feels in their hand and looks in their pocket than they do about having a 5x optical zoom lens. It’s fashion over function.
Pricing and the "Ultra" Paradox
Here is where it gets confusing. Even though it might have "worse" specs than a Pro—like a single camera and potentially an A19 chip instead of an A19 Pro—the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be more expensive than the Pro Max. We’re talking a starting price of maybe $1,299.
Why?
Because miniaturization is expensive. It’s the same reason a thin MacBook Air used to cost more than a bulky Windows laptop with more ports. You’re paying for the engineering required to cram a 5G modem, a battery, a haptic engine, and a display into a sliver of aluminum.
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- Display: 6.6-inch ProMotion (120Hz).
- Chassis: Aluminum-titanium alloy for rigidity.
- Modem: Apple’s first in-house 5G chip (long-rumored).
The use of an in-house modem is a huge deal. Apple has been trying to ditch Qualcomm for years. If they can debut their own modem in the 17 Air, it gives them more control over the physical size of the logic board, further helping that thin profile.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Slim Design
People keep saying this is the "new iPhone 17 Slim." While that was the early code name, "Air" makes way more sense for Apple’s branding. Think about the MacBook Air or the iPad Air. Those products aren't the most powerful, but they are the most popular because they’re portable and "cool."
The biggest misconception is that the iPhone 17 Air size means a smaller battery life. While the physical volume of the battery will be smaller, Apple is counting on the efficiency of the 3nm (or potentially 2nm) A19 chip to bridge the gap. They are also likely using a "stacked" battery design to maximize every cubic millimeter of space. It won't beat a Pro Max in a marathon, but it should easily get through a day.
Structural Integrity: Will it Bend?
We all remember "Bendgate" with the iPhone 6 Plus. If Apple makes a 6.6-inch phone that is only 5mm thick, people are going to try to snap it. This is why the material choice is so important. There are whispers that Apple might use a higher-grade titanium blend than what’s currently in the 15 Pro to ensure the frame doesn't flex. They can't afford another PR disaster where phones are warping in people's back pockets.
The iPhone 17 Air size is a statement. It’s Apple saying that the "Pro" era of adding more and more glass and metal is reaching a plateau. We’ve hit peak camera. Now, we’re moving back to aesthetics.
Actionable Insights for Potential Buyers
If you’re looking at your current phone and wondering if you should wait for the 17 Air, consider these points:
- Check your camera usage. Open your Photos app and see how often you actually use the 3x or 5x zoom. If you almost exclusively use the 1x main lens, the Air’s rumored single-camera setup won't bother you.
- Feel the weight. Go to a store and hold an iPhone 16 Plus. If it feels like a "brick" and you hate the bulge in your jeans, the 17 Air is literally being designed for you.
- Budget for the "Luxury Tax." Expect to pay a premium. This isn't a budget phone. It’s a luxury item aimed at people who want the latest "look."
- Wait for the Spring rumors. By March 2025, we’ll have much better leaks regarding the exact thickness and battery capacity.
The shift to a thinner iPhone is a risky move, but Apple has done this before. They killed the headphone jack. They killed the home button. Now, they might be killing the "thick" phone. Whether the market actually wants a $1,300 phone with one camera just because it's thin remains to be seen, but the iPhone 17 Air size will undoubtedly be the biggest talking point of 2025. It’s a bold, slightly crazy direction, and that’s honestly when Apple is at its most interesting.
The move signifies a broader trend in consumer tech: the "invisible" device. Technology that is so thin and light it almost disappears. If you value portability and design over a telescopic camera lens, start saving now. The 17 Air is going to be the most divisive iPhone in a decade.