- By Prateek Levi
- Mon, 17 Mar 2025 07:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
iPhone 17 Air: Rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup have been swirling for months, and now new details are shedding light on what could be Apple’s biggest design shift in years. The lineup is expected to include the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air (or iPhone 17 Slim), iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, with a possible launch in the second quarter of 2025.
Among them, the iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be a standout device. It’s rumored to be Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, replacing the Plus model. But according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple originally had an even more radical plan—it wanted to make the iPhone 17 Air completely port-free, relying solely on wireless charging and cloud-based data transfers.
Apple Considered Ditching Ports—But The EU Stood in the Way
In his Power On newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple had a vision for the iPhone 17 Air to be “Apple’s first completely port-free iPhone.” Instead of a USB-C port, charging would have been done exclusively through MagSafe, and data transfers would have been handled via wireless syncing.
But there was a problem—the European Union (EU) regulations. Over the past few years, the EU has pressured Apple to switch to USB-C, forcing the company to abandon its Lightning connector. If Apple had removed the port entirely, it could have faced further legal challenges in the region. Ultimately, the company decided to hold off on making the jump to a fully wireless iPhone.
How Apple Plans to Keep the iPhone 17 Air Thin Without Sacrificing Battery Life
With the iPhone 17 Air designed to be Apple’s slimmest phone yet, the company faced a common challenge—thinner phones usually mean smaller batteries. To maintain solid battery life, Apple reportedly reworked several components.
Gurman notes that Apple engineers focused on redesigning the display, chipset, and software to improve power efficiency. While specific battery details aren’t available yet, Apple’s optimizations could help offset the impact of a thinner design.
What to Expect from the iPhone 17 Air
According to leaks, the iPhone 17 Air will feature a 9.5mm thick profile, including a 4mm camera bump. It’s expected to come with a 6.6-inch OLED display, 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, and Dynamic Island.
On the camera front, the device is rumored to have a 48MP single rear camera and a 24MP front-facing camera. The frame is expected to be made of titanium, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Another major upgrade could be Apple’s first in-house 5G modem and Wi-Fi chip, replacing components from external suppliers like Qualcomm. This move aligns with Apple’s strategy of developing its own wireless technology to reduce reliance on third-party manufacturers.
iPhone 17 Air Pricing and Launch Timeline
Reports suggest the iPhone 17 Air could be priced between $1,299 and $1,500 (roughly ₹1,09,000 to ₹1,26,000). Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the launch date, but the iPhone 17 series is expected to arrive in Q2 2025.
Apple May Introduce an ‘Ultra’ iPhone Instead of the Pro Max
In addition to the iPhone 17 Air, leaks indicate that Apple might replace the Pro Max model with a new ‘Ultra’ version. While details on this change remain scarce, an “Ultra” model could signal a more premium flagship option with even more advanced features.
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 17 Air could mark a major shift in Apple’s design philosophy, bringing a thinner form factor while keeping performance and efficiency at the forefront. While Apple’s dream of a completely port-free iPhone isn’t happening just yet, the iPhone 17 Air still represents a bold step forward in the evolution of the iPhone.
