iPhone 17 Air: Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Yet Arrives September 9

Apple is preparing to unveil a brand-new addition to its lineup on September 9 – the iPhone 17 Air.

Positioned between the standard iPhone 17 and the Pro models, this device is designed to replace the outgoing Plus edition while carving out its own identity.

The Thinnest iPhone Yet

The headline feature is its ultra-slim profile. At around 5.44–5.5 mm thick, the iPhone 17 Air is set to undercut Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge (5.8 mm), making it the thinnest mainstream flagship on the market. While the numerical difference seems minor, in-hand impressions are expected to highlight the sleekness.

Performance and Hardware

Inside, the phone may run a streamlined version of the A19 Pro chip, potentially with trimmed-down graphics compared to its Pro siblings. Apple could also introduce its in-house C1 5G modem, keeping MagSafe compatibility intact. Another major shift: the Air, along with the rest of the iPhone 17 family, is rumored to ship with 12 GB of RAM – a long-awaited upgrade for multitasking and AI features.

The biggest drawback might be battery life. With a 2,900 mAh cell, the Air falls well short of the Galaxy S25 Edge’s 3,900 mAh. For a 6.7-inch device, this raises concerns about endurance unless Apple’s software optimizations can bridge the gap.

iOS 26 and Design Evolution

Running on iOS 26, the Air will showcase Apple’s new Liquid Glass interface, offering reflective, fluid animations designed to complement the phone’s slim build. This software refresh aims to push Apple’s design language into a sleeker, more futuristic era.

Price and Market Position

Pricing is expected to start at $949 – a $50 increase compared to the outgoing Plus model. That puts the Air close to Pro territory, but still slightly cheaper than the $1,049 iPhone 17 Pro. Early speculation about a $1,299 price tag has thankfully faded.

A Titanium Twist

Perhaps the most surprising rumor is Apple’s use of titanium for the Air’s frame. Previously reserved for Pro models, titanium would give the Air a stronger, more premium feel, even if it complicates Apple’s effort to keep the device feather-light.

Camera Setup

On the back, the Air could feature just a single 48 MP main camera, paired with an upgraded 24 MP front-facing sensor. The selfie camera may shift position within the Dynamic Island to accommodate the slimmer design. There’s also buzz about variable aperture tech arriving on the main lens for improved low-light performance.

Retro Accessories?

Leaks suggest Apple may experiment with a throwback bumper case reminiscent of the iPhone 4 era – a slim band protecting only the edges. It would highlight the Air’s ultra-thin aesthetic while nodding to Apple’s history.

With its razor-thin design, bold software refresh, and unusual titanium frame, the iPhone 17 Air looks set to be one of Apple’s most experimental devices in years – but whether its small battery holds it back remains to be seen.