iPhone 17 Air leak blows minds: Apple set to ditch 'Plus' for ultra-thin marvel

The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is generating significant buzz as Apple prepares to unveil a radically slim and sleek addition to its 2025 lineup. 

This model is expected to replace the traditional Plus variant, offering a fresh design direction with a focus on ultra-thin form factor and innovative materials rather than raw hardware power.

Known tech leaker MajinBu claims the iPhone 17 Air will be Apple's thinnest iPhone ever, with a chassis thickness ranging between 5.5mm and 6.25mm, making it about 2mm thinner than the current iPhone 16 Pro models. 

This remarkable slimness is achieved through a titanium-aluminum alloy frame, or possibly a high-aluminium blend, which not only reduces weight but also enhances durability. 

The phone will feature a 6.6-inch ProMotion display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1260 x 2740 pixels, promising smooth visuals in a compact design.

Under the hood, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to run on Apple’s A19 chip, the same as the base iPhone 17 but not the Pro variant’s A19 Pro. 

It will come with 8GB or possibly 12GB of RAM.

If the latter proves to be the case, it marks the first time a non-Pro iPhone model might offer 12GB, which would enhance multitasking and future-proof the device for AI and machine learning applications, as per Phone Arena. 

Storage options are likely to be 256GB and 512GB.

The camera setup is reportedly modest but capable, featuring a single 48MP rear camera with variable aperture for improved depth and low-light shots, alongside a 24MP front camera. 

Notably, the iPhone 17 Air will ditch the physical SIM tray in favour of an eSIM-only configuration, a bold move that aligns with Apple's push toward digital SIM technology but could complicate use in some regions.

In terms of audio, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to rely on a single top speaker instead of the dual-speaker setup found in current models, likely a sacrifice to maintain its slim profile. 

Cooling improvements such as “vapor chamber cooling” might be included to manage heat from the powerful chip, although it’s unclear if this will be standard across the entire 17 lineup or exclusive to Pro Max models.

Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly under political pressure from US President Donald Trump and his allies over its reliance on Chinese manufacturing. Trump has repeatedly criticised Apple for producing iPhones in China, urging the company to move production back to the US or “friendshore” to other countries to reduce dependency on China’s supply chain, as per Phone Arena. 

Despite this, Apple has maintained its manufacturing base largely in China due to established infrastructure and cost efficiencies. 

The iPhone 17 Air’s production reportedly remains tied to Chinese factories, which keeps Apple at the centre of this geopolitical controversy. 

This tension underscores the complex balance Apple must strike between global supply chains and political expectations, especially as US-China relations remain delicate.

The most commonly cited starting price is $899 (about Dh3,302).

This mirrors the iPhone 16 Plus and supported by multiple sources, including Tom's Guide and Tech Radar.

Some speculate, however, that tariffs might push it above $1,100.

The iPhone 17 Air represents a bold experiment in design and tech, prioritising a featherweight, ultra-thin profile with cutting-edge materials and a strong emphasis on display quality and connectivity innovations like the eSIM. 

While its hardware specs may not outshine the Pro models, the Air’s unique form factor and Apple’s in-house 5G modem chip position it as a standout in the 2025 lineup. 

The iPhone 17 series launch, expected in September 2025, will be closely watched both for its tech and its geopolitical implications.

The widely rumoured iPhone 17 Air, or whatever Apple calls it come September, is stealing the spotlight with its razor-thin profile, cutting-edge materials, and a bold new design focused more on form than brute power.