Although Apple's new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air is not expected to launch until September, numerous leaks have already surfaced about this highly anticipated device.

The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be a sleek and lightweight smartphone, but it also comes with trade-offs. While it is expected to boast an incredibly thin design, certain features may be downgraded compared to the iPhone 17 Pro series.

Ultra-thin design comes with compromises

To achieve its ultra-thin form, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to have:

Only one rear camera

A single speaker

A less powerful A19 chip (instead of the A19 Pro found in higher-end models)

Some have raised concerns that this slim design could affect battery life, but the device might still exceed expectations. Reports suggest at least three features aimed at extending battery performance:

Higher-density battery technology

Apple's new power-efficient C1 modem

More internal space for a larger battery due to the removal of the ultra-wide camera

12 rumored features of the iPhone 17 Air

1. Ultra-thin design
According to The Information, the iPhone 17 Air will be "significantly thinner" than previous models and will feature an aluminum frame, unlike the titanium used in Pro models.

Rumors suggest the device could be as thin as 5.5mm, making it Apple's slimmest iPhone ever—thinner than the iPhone 6 (6.9mm) from 2014. If accurate, it would be 30% thinner than the iPhone 16 (7.8mm) and 33% thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro (8.25mm).

2. Larger 6.6-inch display
Analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities claims the iPhone 17 Air will have a 6.6-inch display, a prediction supported by Ming-Chi Kuo.

3. 120Hz ProMotion display
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature Apple’s ProMotion technology for a smoother 120Hz refresh rate.

4. Improved anti-glare display protection
According to Instant Digital, a well-known Weibo leaker, all iPhone 17 models, including the 17 Air, will have improved anti-glare coating and better scratch resistance than the Ceramic Shield on the iPhone 15.

5. Upgraded 24MP front camera
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the entire iPhone 17 lineup will feature a 24MP front camera with a six-element lens, allowing better image quality, improved zoom, and sharper details.

6. 8GB RAM for Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature 8GB RAM, up from the 6GB found in the iPhone 15 Plus. This upgrade is necessary for Apple Intelligence, Apple's rumored AI-driven features.

7. New A19 chip
Apple will equip the iPhone 17 Air with the A19 chip, built on TSMC’s optimized 3nm process (N3P or N3X), offering improved efficiency. However, it won’t be as powerful as the A19 Pro found in the iPhone 17 Pro models.

8. Apple’s new C1 modem
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature Apple's in-house C1 modem, which is designed for better power efficiency and performance.

9. Wi-Fi 7 support
Ming-Chi Kuo confirms that at least one iPhone 17 model will include Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7, which could offer faster speeds and improved connectivity.

10. Single rear camera
Unlike the Pro models, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to have only one rear camera, marking a departure from Apple's standard dual-camera setup on non-Pro models.

11. Higher-than-Pro Max price?
The Information reports that the iPhone 17 Air may cost more than the Pro Max, which currently starts at $1,199. However, Jeff Pu believes the iPhone 17 Air will replace the Plus model in Apple’s lineup, making it a mid-tier device. A separate report from China suggests the iPhone 17 Air will be priced similarly to the iPhone 16 Plus ($899 in the U.S.).

12. Official launch in September
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, including the:

iPhone 17

iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Air

More leaks and details are expected in the coming months.

Hai Phong