Apple is reportedly working on an “iPhone 17 Air” for release in 2025. However, the company is facing challenges in making the device thin enough to match its name. According to unnamed industry sources, the main issue is the battery size.
Apple plans to use a 6mm-thick battery, which limits how thin the phone can be. With all the other components, the iPhone 17 Air will likely be only slightly thinner than the iPhone 6, which measured 6.9mm thick. Apple hopes the presumptively-named iPhone 17 Slim will stand out against bulkier flagships.
But a critical component to facilitate a slimmer design may not be ready in time. This could force Apple to compromise on specs or dimensions.
Challenges with ultra-thin phone design
The demand for a thinner phone is also questionable. Previous “fourth” iPhone models like the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 14 Plus suffered from poor sales. It remains to be seen if the iPhone 17 Slim will buck this trend.
To achieve a slim profile, Apple has several options, each with trade-offs:
– Reduce battery capacity, impacting endurance and battery health
– Use exotic materials for a thinner chassis, potentially making it more fragile
– Simplify the display, possibly lowering quality
The iPhone 17 Slim could breathe life into the lineup, but divisive compromises may be required. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 family in September 2025. Whether the Slim model launches simultaneously or later is unknown.
Of course, rumors nearly a year ahead of release should be taken with a grain of salt. But if true, some may find the iPhone 17 Air underwhelming compared to expectations. Apple faces difficult design challenges in its ambitious plans for the thinnest iPhone ever.
