As you know, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a thinner version of the iPhone in 2025, alongside the standard iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the future iPhone 17 “Air” would be around 2 mm thinner than the current iPhone 16 Pro, which corroborates previous leaks.
Better than iPhone 6
Currently, for comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro is 8.25mm thick, which would put the iPhone 17 Air at around 6.25mm, making it Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever . Until now, the thinnest iPhone was the iPhone 6, with a thickness of 6.9mm. Apple’s phones have gotten thicker starting with the iPhone X due to the need for larger batteries, advanced camera systems and Face ID-related components.
How will Apple be able to slim down its models?
This reduction in thickness would be made possible thanks to Apple’s custom-designed 5G modem chip, which is smaller than the Qualcomm chips previously used. Gurman explains that Apple has tightly integrated this modem with other internal components designed in-house, saving space while maintaining battery life, camera performance, and display quality.
Previous rumors had also suggested that the iPhone 17 Air could be between 5mm and 6mm thick, with several reliable sources now pointing towards 6mm. The device is expected to feature a 6.6-inch display and a single-lens rear camera, prioritizing portability and simplicity.
Not just for the 17 Air
The iPhone 17 Air will be one of the first devices to feature Apple’s custom modem chip, alongside the next generation iPhone SE and an entry-level iPad, expected in early 2025.
As Apple refines its modem technology, the space saved could pave the way for future products, like a foldable iPhone. Our colleague notes that Apple continues to explore foldable designs, while planning to phase out Qualcomm modems over a period of three years.
In the long term, Apple could develop a system-on-a-chip (SoC) combining processor, modem, Wi-Fi and other components in a single chip, enabling even more compact and efficient designs across its entire product line. The Vision Pro, iPad and Mac will benefit from this by the end of the decade.
