Apple is getting ready to launch its iPhone 17 series in September 2025, and one of the most talked-about models is the iPhone 17 Air. Unlike the usual lineup, this one is expected to bring a super-thin design, a single camera, and Apple’s own 5G chip. With leaks already revealing some exciting details, here’s a breakdown of what to expect from this new addition.
Most iPhones these days have two or three cameras, but the iPhone 17 Air is taking a different approach with just one, a 48-megapixel sensor housed in a wide, rectangular camera bar. While this means it won’t have fancy features like optical zoom, the camera should still take great everyday photos. There were earlier rumours of a centered camera, so the final design might still surprise us.
This might be the thinnest iPhone ever, with a thickness between 5.5mm and 6.25mm. That’s even slimmer than the iPhone 6, which was 6.9mm. Apple seems to be going for a sleek, modern look, similar to the iPad Air. The downside? A thinner phone might mean a smaller battery or other trade-offs, but it’s definitely going to stand out in terms of design.
Apple has been working on making its own chips instead of relying on companies like Qualcomm, and the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the second iPhone to use Apple’s in-house 5G modem, following the iPhone 16e. It’s said to offer speeds up to 4Gb/s but won’t support mmWave 5G, meaning it may not be as fast in certain conditions. Whether this is a completely new chip or a slightly improved version of the one in the iPhone 16e remains to be seen.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to have a screen size between 6.6 and 6.7 inches, making it bigger than the regular iPhone 17 but smaller than the Pro Max. This makes it a great option for people who want a larger display without carrying around a bulky phone. Combine that with its thin profile, and it could be a solid choice for those who care about both style and usability.
To keep costs down, Apple is expected to use the standard A19 chip instead of the A19 Pro, which will be found in the more expensive Pro models. This could mean slightly slower performance, but for most users, it should still be fast enough for gaming, video streaming, and everyday tasks. It’s a trade-off, but one that might help make the iPhone 17 Air a more affordable option in the lineup.
TheiPhone 17 Air is looking like a compelling combination of design and functionality. With its super-skinny design, one-camera configuration, Apple-designed 5G chip, and middle-of-the-road screen size, it's likely to be appealing to customers who are looking for something new and fresh without the extra cost of thePro series. There can be some trade-offs, but if Apple succeeds, the iPhone 17 Air would be a standout among the iPhone 17 lineup. More will probably be revealed as we move closer to release, so wait and see.