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Apple seems to have no interest in joining Google and Samsung in the foldable smartphone market. However, an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Slim is not out of the question.
From bringing Apple Intelligence into the life of its next iPhone release to rumors of a slim model of the iPhone being ready for production, Apple could be warming up towards dropping another premium design for the iPhone soon.
While Apple is as ever tight-lipped until launch, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests the iPhone Slim is coming, shipping with an A19 chip, in-house 5G chip, single back camera, and other features.
Here is everything we know so far.
What is the iPhone 17 Slim?
Expected New Apple Design for the iPhone
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.
If we go by Pu’s claim, the iPhone 17 lineup will likely not include an iPhone 17 Plus when it launches. Pu also claims that the iPhone 17 series will include the base models, the iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
When is the iPhone 17 Slim Release Date?
Expected Release Date: September 2025
There is no official answer to when the iPhone 17 Slim will hit the market. However, with iPhone 16 yet to arrive, 2024 is totally out of the equation.
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.
iPhone 17 Slim: Rumored Features, Specs and 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 nickname 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 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 (rumored) | iPhone 16 Pro (rumored) |
| Display | 6.6-inch | 6.3-inch |
| Processor | A19 chip | A18 Pro 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 | Not specified | 3,577 mAh |
| Frame Material | Titanium-aluminum alloy | Stainless steel |
| 5G Modem | Apple in-house | Qualcomm |
| Dynamic Island | Yes, redesigned | Yes |
| Charging | Not specified | 40W wired, 20W MagSafe |
| Release Date | September 2025 | September 2024 |
iPhone 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.
The Bottom Line
The iPhone 17 Slim, 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.
