Apple engineers have been working for some time on a revolutionary iPhone that will arrive this year and promises to redefine the limits of any mobile device ever created. It’s an ultra-thin device that will likely be called the iPhone 17 Air.
Although the modern device has not yet been officially unveiled, Apple is reportedly already working on an improved version for the coming years.
iPhone Air: It will change everything
According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company has very ambitious plans for this model, which will be launched this fall as one of the most striking devices in the brand’s history. Its ultra-thin design, just 5.5 millimeters thick, will be its main selling point, and it will come with a 6.6-inch screen, placing it between the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max in size.
This new model will replace the current iPhone Plus, and will be priced at around €1,100, positioning it as a premium “slim” option within the catalog. The iPhone 17 Air will also be one of Apple’s first steps toward further diversifying its smartphone lineup, opting for bolder designs and different ranges designed for specific audiences. However, it seems that Cupertino isn’t content with launching a groundbreaking product; they’re already preparing its evolution.
Kuo claims the iPhone 18 Air will arrive in fall 2026 with updated specifications. Interestingly, Apple is also already working on the iPhone 19 Air, scheduled for the second half of 2027, whose main attraction would be an even larger display. No exact details about the final size have been revealed, but everything points to Apple bringing back an idea it discarded due to design risks: a 6.9-inch display in an ultra-thin body.
Apple changes its release schedule
According to a previous leak by journalist Mark Gurman, the company even experimented with a prototype of the iPhone Air with that screen size, matching the current Pro Max. However, the plan was scrapped due to concerns about fragility and possible deformation. Despite this, it seems that the concept hasn’t been completely abandoned, and Apple is reportedly looking for a way to make it a reality within a couple of years.
This strategy highlights the profound change the iPhone lineup is undergoing, which will be divided into several releases per year. In addition to the Air, major redesigns are expected for the iPhone Pro in 2026 and 2027, and the launch of its first foldable iPhone in late 2026.
The iPhone Air, therefore, seems to be here to stay. Although it hasn’t yet gone on sale, its long-term roadmap is already outlined. Apple wants to position it as a new line within its catalog, with its own features and an annual renewal cycle, something that until now only the main models have had. The iPhone 19 Air will be key to seeing if this slim and elegant format can coexist with a larger screen without compromising structural strength.
The Air’s extreme thinness and sleek finish make it a unique piece within the Apple universe, and if they manage to increase the size of its screen without repeating past mistakes, they could have one of the most desirable devices of the coming years. Apple no longer wants to just sell iPhones: it wants to redefine them.
