The iPhone 17 Air isn’t going to be as thin as we hoped…

There’s been a steady buzz among Apple and Samsung fans alike over the upcoming iPhone 17 Air and Galaxy S25 Slim, set to launch in 2025. People were wondering if these devices would push the boundaries with ultra-thin profiles, maybe even reaching that magical sub-5mm mark seen in some tablets and foldables. But today’s rumor has taken the wind out of those sails a bit.

According to new reports, the iPhone 17 Air will arrive with a noticeably thicker build, straying from Apple’s original sleek vision. While it may come with a 120Hz refresh rate screen like the Pro models, it leaves us scratching our heads. Why? Because it doesn’t quite fit into any clear category. It’s not an iPhone 17, but it’s not a Pro either. Initially, Apple aimed to deliver an ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air, but thanks to limitations with a denser battery that never materialized, we’re left with a thicker design.

A Naver user from South Korea, yeux1122, spilled the beans that Apple had to shelve its plans for an ultraslim iPhone 17 Air due to battery constraints. Earlier leaks suggested a 6.9mm profile for the device, achieved by using a thinner battery. But Cupertino hit a few production roadblocks, combined with rising manufacturing costs.

As a result, the iPhone 17 Air will exceed 7mm in thickness. For comparison, the current iPhone 16 Plus is 7.8mm, so if the 17 Air lands above 7mm, we’re not exactly talking about a drastic difference. And for a device called “Air,” there’s an expectation of minimal weight, too. Meanwhile, it’s been revealed that the iPhone 17 Air will sport a 120Hz ProMotion display, an upgraded 48MP primary camera, and a selfie boost from 12MP to 24MP.

The real question is if Apple will adopt a Pixel-like Visor-style camera module, as hinted in the render above. Apparently, Samsung is facing similar challenges with the Galaxy S25 Slim. Maybe both companies should look into licensing those revolutionary Silicon-Carbon batteries from China, which have already made sub-5mm foldables a reality at HONOR.

via mysmartprice