Apple has officially unveiled one of its boldest devices in years: the iPhone 17 Air. This new addition to the lineup is not just another annual refresh but a rethinking of what the iPhone can be. At only 5.6mm thick, the iPhone Air claims the crown as the thinnest iPhone ever made, and Apple itself calls it “a paradox you have to hold to believe.” In an era where many phones are getting bulkier to accommodate massive batteries and camera modules, Apple is instead revisiting the once-forgotten dream of creating truly slim and lightweight handsets without giving up on premium features.
The iPhone Air replaces the outgoing iPhone 16 Plus, which never gained the traction Apple hoped for. 
In its place comes a 6.5-inch LTPO Super Retina OLED display with ProMotion technology that enables a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This panel isn’t just large and fluid – it’s also exceptionally bright, reaching up to 3,000 nits in peak outdoor conditions. The screen is protected by Apple’s upgraded Ceramic Shield 2, designed to make drops and scratches far less of a worry.
But making a phone this thin inevitably meant compromise. The most noticeable one is found on the back: the iPhone Air features a single 48MP rear camera rather than the dual or triple setups seen on other recent iPhones. Apple insists that thanks to computational photography improvements, this lone sensor is more than enough to capture sharp, vibrant shots. On the front, users get an 18MP selfie camera with Center Stage, keeping video calls lively and framed correctly even as you move around.
Under the hood, however, Apple has gone all out. The iPhone Air debuts the A19 Pro chip, built with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU that Apple compares to MacBook Pro-level performance in a phone. And that’s not all – this model also introduces the Apple N1 chip, enabling Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 for next-generation connectivity. Alongside it is the C1X modem, which doubles connection speed compared to last year’s modem while cutting energy use by 30%, giving users faster data without draining the battery as quickly.
Speaking of battery, Apple hasn’t disclosed exact numbers, but promises an “all-day battery life.” For power users, Apple is also selling an optional low-profile MagSafe battery pack for $99, extending total video playback time to an impressive 40 hours. It’s a nod to those who want ultrathin design but still need marathon endurance when traveling or streaming.
The iPhone Air will be offered in four sleek finishes: Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue. Pricing starts at $999 for the 256GB base model, and higher capacities will be available for those who need more storage. Pre-orders open Friday, September 12, with availability starting September 19 in 63 launch countries including the US, UK, China, India, Germany, Japan, and many more. A second wave covering 22 additional countries will follow on September 26.
With the iPhone Air, Apple is taking a clear stance: slimmer and lighter doesn’t have to mean weaker or outdated. By fusing high-end performance, next-gen connectivity, and a refined design that harks back to the golden era of thin smartphones, Apple seems determined to redefine what premium can mean in 2025. Whether users will embrace the trade-off of a single camera for this featherweight powerhouse remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the iPhone Air will be one of the most talked-about devices of the year.
3 comments
looks cool but one camera? nah not for me
ngl apple nailed the design again, sky blue looks 🔥
bro that 5.6mm is wild, hows the battery tho?