Following the publication of “real models” of the iPhone 17 displayed in a store in China, a new leak, this time from Sonny Dickson, has captured attention by showing mockups of the four models expected in the iPhone 17 family. Among them, the rumored iPhone 17 Air stands out for a feature that could define its appeal: extreme thinness.
The images shared by Dickson reveal four dummy units representing the standard iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, all of which are within the usual thickness range for high-end smartphones. However, the iPhone 17 Air is the one that really stands out. Viewed from any angle, its profile appears to be barely thicker than the narrow side buttons dedicated to power and volume control.
The thickness of the iPhone 17 Air poses another challenge for Apple.
This reduction in thickness not only makes for a visually striking device, but also suggests a remarkably lightweight. In a market where mobile phone sizes have been increasing, an iPhone that prioritizes lightness and comfort could find a significant niche among users.
However, this quest for extreme thinness isn’t without its drawbacks. According to leaks and rumors, the iPhones will have a new camera module design, with the exception of the base iPhone 17. This will be shown in a more elongated horizontal bar that will cover the upper area of the back of the devices and house the camera module, reducing the protrusion seen in recent generations.
But as Dickson himself points out, the presence of a camera bar that extends across the width of the device could create a feeling of imbalance, and there are no clues yet as to how Apple might address this potential challenge.
These images confirm the features that were also shown in a video with iPhone 17 model molds shared this week. In it, Lewis Hilsenteger, creator of the YouTube channel Unbox Therapy, is surprised by how thin the iPhone 17 Air is. At its thinnest part, he confirms that it measures 5.65 mm thick compared to the 8.75 mm of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. And like other analysts, he wonders how Apple will make it resistant.
If the images prove accurate, its profile, barely larger than its side buttons, would make it a desirable object for those who prioritize an avant-garde design and a sense of lightness. Since the first leaks, the iPhone 17 Air has emerged as a model with undeniable appeal for those who value minimalist aesthetics at their finest.
