The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is making headlines once again, thanks to a newly leaked set of comparison images that pit it directly against the model it’s replacing—the iPhone 16 Plus. Expected to launch this September, the iPhone 17 Air will debut alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max as Apple’s latest lineup.
Among the four iPhone designs, the Plus models have been the least popular for years and have had difficulty gaining popularity in Apple main lineup. With the iPhone 17 Air, Apple seems to be responding differently, hoping to attract customers with its remarkably thin and light design.
Thinner and Lighter Than Ever
According to multiple sources, the iPhone 17 Air could be as thin as 5.5mm or 5.65mm, depending on the leak. That’s slimmer than any modern iPhone in recent history and notably more compact than its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Plus. The weight is rumored to be around 145g, making it lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which weighs 163g.
Downsides to the Slim Design?
Of course, with extreme thinness comes some trade-offs. One of the biggest concerns is the tiny 2,800 mAh battery rumored to be inside the iPhone 17 Air—a significant downgrade compared to the Galaxy S25 Edge’s 3,900 mAh battery. To compensate, Apple may offer a battery case, although this somewhat defeats the purpose of the ultra thin design.
A More Minimal Camera Setup
The camera division has also seen some changes. While rivals like the Galaxy S25 Edge have at least two rear cameras, the iPhone 17 Air is anticipated to have just one. With this straightforward setup, it might be possible to maintain the slim profile, but power users might have fewer photographic options.
Final Thoughts
As it replaces the under performing iPhone 16 Plus with the new iPhone 17 Air, Apple is clearly betting heavily on portability and design to draw in customers. The success of that strategy will depend on the customers’ ability to balance the sleek new look with the functional compromises.
Watch this space for additional updates as Apple’s fall event approaches!
