iPhone 17 Air: Apple's Ultra-Thin iPhone Takes Shape

The iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most intriguing iPhones yet, with leaks suggesting an ultra-thin design and a new full-width camera bar. According to Ice Universe, the device will measure 9.5mm thick, including a 4.0mm camera bump—making it one of the slimmest iPhones Apple has ever made.

A New Era for iPhone Design

This latest leak supports a previous report from Ming-Chi Kuo, who claimed in January that the iPhone 17 Air would measure just 5.5mm thick at its thinnest point (excluding the camera bump). This would make it the thinnest iPhone ever, a design choice that could lead to big changes in Apple’s approach to connectivity and hardware.

One of the most notable shifts could be the removal of the physical SIM card slot. Kuo previously suggested that Apple may go all-in on eSIM technology to enable this ultra-thin form factor. While this wouldn’t be an issue in many markets, China currently does not promote eSIM-only phones, which could impact availability unless Apple makes adjustments.

What Else to Expect from the iPhone 17 Air

Beyond its sleek design, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a 6.6-inch display, placing it between the standard and Pro models in terms of size. It’s also expected to debut with Apple’s in-house 5G modem, which could offer better connectivity and improved efficiency compared to Qualcomm’s current chips.

With Apple experimenting with new designs, including the rumored foldable iPhone, the iPhone 17 Air could be a sign of the company's broader push toward thinner and more futuristic devices. While details are still emerging, one thing is clear—Apple is aiming to redefine the look and feel of the iPhone once again.

When Will We Know More?

If the iPhone 17 Air is part of Apple’s 2025 lineup, we can expect to learn more as we get closer to next year’s iPhone launch event in September. Until then, more leaks and renders will likely give us a clearer picture of what to expect from this ultra-thin iPhone.