Every year, Apple surprises us with innovative ideas that often set the standard in the world of technology. This time, there are rumors of something truly special - the Apple iPhone 17 Air, a phone that, at just 5.5 millimeters thick, is said to be one of the thinnest smartphones in the world.
Apple iPhone 17 Air – will be the thinnest iPhone. If you've ever held a thin magazine or credit card in your hands and wondered how thin a phone could be, the answer may be closer than you think. Let's take a look at what this newcomer brings, how it compares to other phones, and what it all means for everyday users.
How thin is 5.5 millimeters – the thickness of the Apple iPhone 17 Air?
To put it in perspective, if you put five or six 1-euro coins on top of each other, you're somewhere close to that thickness. Now imagine that this space houses the screen, battery, camera, and all those little chips that make the phone work.
According to the latest rumors revealed by well-known tech insider Ice Universe, Apple is said to iPhone 17 Air measured exactly 5.5 mm in thickness, while remaining the same in width and height as iPhone 17 Pro Max – that is, 163 x 77.6 mm. The screen is said to have a diagonal of 6.9 inches, which means it will be large, but at the same time extremely thin.
This isn't just an aesthetic issue. Thin phones are lighter, more convenient to carry in your pocket, and can even change the way you use them. But thinness comes at a price – the question is whether it will be noticeable in the battery or perhaps elsewhere.
Where does the iPhone 17 Air rank among the competition?
While there's a lot of talk about Apple right now, it's worth asking how thin the Apple iPhone 17 Air is compared to other phones. Among non-foldable phones, that is, those that don't fold like a book, there aren't many models currently thinner than 6mm. The Motorola Edge 40 measures 7.6mm, while the Carbon 1 MK II, which boasts the use of carbon fiber, is 6.3mm thick. If the rumors are true, the iPhone 17 Air, at 5.5mm, would surpass both and become the thinnest regular smartphone on the market.
Foldable phones have become a real attraction in recent years. The HONOR Magic V Purse is only 4.3 mm thick when unfolded, but when closed, the thickness increases to 8.6 mm. The Oppo Find N5 is similar, reaching 4.21 mm when unfolded. However, these models are not a direct comparison, as they are much thicker when folded. The iPhone 17 Air will therefore be the leader in the thinness category among non-foldable phones.
Manufacturers have tried to make extremely thin phones in the past. The Oppo R5, released in 2015, was just 4.85mm thick, but had a battery that barely lasted a few hours. Due to its impracticality, phones that thin were quickly abandoned. Apple apparently believes it can make thinness more useful this time, with advanced technology that fits the year 2025.
What else do we know about the iPhone 17 Air?
In addition to the extremely thin body, rumors reveal that it will Apple iPhone 17 Air has taken a special place in Apple's lineup. We currently have the standard iPhone, the Plus model, and the Pro versions. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the Plus model, which means it will be somewhere in between - cheaper than the Pro models, but still more expensive than the basic iPhone 17.
The screen will be the same size as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, at 6.9 inches, but the phone will likely be lighter due to its thinness. According to some sources, such as MacRumors, Apple could remove the physical SIM card slot and rely entirely on eSIM, which would further simplify the design.
Of course, thinness also comes with certain compromises. The battery is one of the key challenges with such thin devices. Although Apple is known for its excellent battery optimization, the iPhone 17 Air could have a smaller capacity than the Pro models. It is also rumored to have only one rear camera instead of two or three, which would be a compromise for a lower price and a thinner design.
Why is thinness important (or maybe not)?
Thin phones were all the rage a decade ago, with manufacturers competing to make the thinnest models until they realized that users valued longer battery life and better cameras over an extremely thin device.
So why is Apple now betting on thinness? Perhaps it's because technology has advanced to the point where it can offer both – premium design and practicality. Thinness means the phone is easier to carry, as it's easy to put in your pocket. Less weight improves the user experience, and the sleek design contributes to the attractive appearance of the device.
But the question remains – will thinness be a compelling enough argument to buy? If the battery lasts only half a day or the camera is worse than those of other models, many will question the purpose of such a thin phone. Apple will have to find the right balance.
What can we expect by September?
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to launch in September 2025, which coincides with Apple's usual launch schedule for new phones. By then, we'll likely hear more rumors, maybe even see the first images or videos. Ice Universe, Macrumors, 9to5Mac, and other tech insiders have been right about this in the past, so we can at least partially believe them.
But as always with Apple – the real answers will only come on the day of the official presentation.
For now, we can say that the iPhone 17 Air promises something fresh. If it does indeed become one of the thinnest phones in the world, it will be further proof that Apple knows how to combine technology and design in a way that appeals to the masses. The question remains: will thinness be a compelling enough reason to buy, or will users prefer to reach for a thicker model with more power under the hood?
