iPhone 17 Air May Sacrifice Features for Slim Design [Report]

Prototypes of the rumored new 'iPhone 17 Air' lack features found in previous models, according to a new report from The Information.

The 'iPhone 17 Air' will purportedly replace the iPhone 17 Plus in Apple's next-generation smartphone lineup. Rumors have indicated that the new device could be as thin as 6mm, posing a challenge for designers.

Sources tell The Information that engineers have had to make compromises to make this slim design possible. The prototype allegedly has only one speaker in the earpiece, whereas current models feature a second speaker at the bottom for better sound. It's also said to feature a single rear camera housed in a prominent, centered camera bump, a departure from current models that include two or three rear cameras to provide wide-angle, ultra-wide, and telephoto functionality.


Additionally, Apple has yet to be able to fit a SIM card tray into the device due to its slim chassis. While this isn't a problem in the USA, there are many countries that still use SIM cards. This includes China, an important market that has resisted the move to eSIM due to its real-name registration system.

The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly be one of the first iPhone models to use Apple's in-house 5G modem. Despite a multi-year effort, the modem is not expected to perform as well as Qualcomm's due to lower peak speeds and slightly worse network connection reliability. Additionally, the modem is said to lack support for mmWave technology that enables higher speeds in some areas.

It's still fairly early in the production process, and features and specifications of the new device could easily change before its expected launch in September 2025.

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