Apple could be warming up towards dropping another premium design for the iPhone later this year — the iPhone 17 Slim or iPhone Air.
While Apple is as tight-lipped as ever, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, among others, suggests the iPhone Slim is coming, shipping with an A19 chip, in-house 5G chip, single back camera, and other features.
It may also be known as “iPhone 17 Air,” a suggestion that some tech analysts have endorsed — the components of the base model iPhone, but in a slim new package.
Here is everything we know so far, including the new iPhone’s expected release date, specs, rumors, and price.
Key Takeaways
- Apple could release an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Slim or ‘iPhone Air,’ and part of the strategy may be to test the waters before rolling out other thin and possibly folding devices.
- The iPhone 17 Slim is rumored to feature an A19 chip, an in-house 5G chip, a single back camera, and 8GB RAM.
- The iPhone 17 Slim expected release date is September 2025.
- Other features include a semi-titanium frame and a 6.6-inch display wrapped in a 5mm-thick casing.
- The anticipated price for the iPhone 17 Slim is around $1,299.
What Is the iPhone 17 Slim?
iPhone 17 Slim, as the name implies, is rumored to be the slim model among Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup, representing Apple’s attempt to push more creativity into the aesthetics side of the iPhone rather than hardware specs.
Analyst Kuo believes the upcoming smartphone is not meant to replace the Plus model, but “Instead, Apple is exploring new design trends beyond the existing iPhone lineup.”
This is in contrast to the claim attributed to analyst Jeff Pu by 9to5Mac, in which he noted that the ultra-slim iPhone 17 will replace the Plus model.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also seems tentatively confident in the device, believing Apple may call it the “iPhone Air,” similar to the MacBook lineup.
He sees it as a device between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro: “You can get something that looks much cooler while still having the specifications of a regular iPhone.”
Expected iPhone 17 Slim Release Date
Expected Release Date: September 2025
There is no official answer as to when the iPhone 17 Slim will hit the market. With the iPhone 16 now out, eyes turn to 2025 as the next likely window.
Going by the usual Apple iPhone release window for the past few years, September 2025 seems to be the likely target for the iPhone 17 Slim and other models in the iPhone 17 series.
Expected iPhone 17 Slim Features, Specs & Design
Apple-designed 5G Chip, 6.6-inch Display, 8GB RAM, Single-Rear Camera
While we have yet to see the official prototype and features of the iPhone 17 Slim, Kuo and some other leakers have given us some bits to work with.
According to a leak on X, the iPhone 17 Slim will feature a 6.6-inch display with the current-size Dynamic Island (the notch-like part of the screen). It will likely be powered by a standard A19 chip rather than the more powerful A19 Pro variant. Another name emerging for it is the “iPhone Air.”
New iPhone 17 ‘Slim’ details
– 6.6” display
– 2740 X 1260 resolution
– Dynamic Island
– ultra-slim design
– titanium-aluminum frame
– A19 chip
– Apple-designed 5G chip
– Single rear camera (wide)Source: @mingchikuo pic.twitter.com/asfQgzNDF3
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) July 24, 2024
One of the most significant changes is the rumored single rear camera, which will be a surprising departure from the multi-camera setups seen in recent iPhone models. The iPhone SE (2nd generation) is the only device in Apple’s current lineup that features a single rear camera.
The device is also expected to sport a semi-titanium frame, combining titanium and aluminum. However, leaks from Kuo suggest the titanium content might be lower than that used in the iPhone 15 Pro models.
How much slimmer could it be? No indication yet, but as current models range from 7.8mm to 8.3mm, Apple targeting 5mm could be a good bet.
Kuo also reported that the iPhone 17 Slim could incorporate Apple’s own 5G chip, marking a shift away from third-party suppliers.
While we haven’t heard much about the storage capacity, Pu, as reported by 9to5Mac, rumored that the iPhone 17 Slim would come equipped with 8GB RAM while the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max would sport 12GB RAM and an A19 Pro chip.
iPhone 17 Slim vs iPhone 16 Pro Comparison
If you ever get confused about whether to buy the next upcoming iPhone 16 Pro or wait an extra year for the rumored iPhone 17 Slim, below is a quick summary of the features we expect in each.
Feature | iPhone 17 Slim (expected) | iPhone 16 |
---|---|---|
Display | 6.6-inch | 6.1-inch |
Processor | A19 chip | A18 chip |
RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
Rear Camera | Single 48 MP |
Triple: 48 MP (Main), 12 MP (Ultra Wide), 12 MP (Telephoto)
|
Front Camera | 24 MP | 12 MP |
Battery Capacity | Unknown | 3,561 mAh |
Dynamic Island | Yes, redesigned | Yes |
Charging | Not specified |
45W wired, 25W MagSafe
|
Release Date | September 2025 | September 2024 |
Expected iPhone 17 Slim Price
Expected Price: Around $1,299
The price of the iPhone 17 Slim is one of the most debated aspects of the rumored device.
Initial reports suggested a price point of around $1,299, placing it at the high end of the smartphone market.
If true, this figure would surprise many, given the specifications, which, while promising a sleek design, don’t necessarily align with a premium price tag.
Latest iPhone 17 Slim News
The likely name of this unconfirmed model is now the iPhone 17 Air rather than ‘Slim.’ That’s according to the latest newsletter from Mark Gurman.
The model will be 2mm thinner than any existing iPhone, thanks to the company’s push into new types of silicon. It will also utilize Apple’s first in-house modem, known as Sinope, which is also expected in the new iPhone SE.
Another interesting insight is that the iPhone Air is being used as something of a guinea pig for future technologies Apple could move into, including foldable devices. A folding iPhone or iPad will need to be very thin and an iPhone Air is seen as a step in that direction.
Gurman also predicts the iPhone 17 Air won’t be the best-selling model. However, it will generate a lot of discussion and could prime the pump for other areas of Apple’s output.
The Bottom Line
The iPhone 17 Slim or Air, a potential addition to Apple’s 2025 lineup, seems to be Apple’s attempt to redefine its flagship smartphone experience. With its rumored 6.6-inch display and single rear camera, this device signals a bold departure from Apple’s specs-laden design culture.
The focus on a sleek and thin aesthetic suggests a device that will allow Apple to prioritize style and portability over a full suite of professional-grade camera features.
While the absence of specific details about battery life, storage options, and other key specifications leaves room for speculation, there is a chance the iPhone 17 ultra-slim build will be a major force of attraction to smartphone users.
FAQs
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References
- 關於2H25新款iPhone 17產品組合與超薄iPhone 17的預測與分析 / Predictions and analysis of the 2H25 new iPhone 17 product lines and the ultra-slim iPhone 17 (Medium)
- iPhone 17 rumors: New design, ‘Slim’ model to replace ‘Plus’, more (9to5Mac)
- iPhone 16 Preview: Bigger Screens, New Colors, Camera Button, AI and A18 Chip (Bloomberg)
- Apple Hub on X (X)
- Apple 2025 Plans: iPhone 17, Smart Home Hub, iOS 19, AI, Apple Watch, iPads, M5 (Bloomberg)