Apple’s upcoming ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air may not deliver the full punch of its more expensive siblings. 
While rumors initially suggested it would feature the high-end A19 Pro chip, new leaks indicate it could ship with a binned version sporting just a 5-core GPU-one fewer than the 6-core GPU expected in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
According to leaker Fixed Focus Digital, the decision seems final, marking one of several compromises Apple is making to achieve the device’s strikingly slim 5.5mm profile. While the GPU downgrade might go unnoticed for casual use, heavy gamers and video editors could see reduced performance.
Beyond raw power, the thin design poses challenges. Slimmer phones tend to trap more heat, leading to faster thermal throttling, which further limits performance during demanding tasks. A smaller battery also means less time to enjoy the phone’s capabilities before hunting for a charger.
The rumored trade-offs don’t end there. The iPhone 17 Air may come with a single rear camera instead of the Pro models’ triple-lens system, a display with a lower refresh rate, slower 5G connectivity, and just one loudspeaker. In comparison, Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy S25 Edge offers a dual camera, high-refresh-rate display, and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip-making Apple’s approach seem less appealing.
Many users have voiced that they prefer larger batteries, even at the cost of a thicker device. With these sacrifices, the iPhone 17 Air might be more of a niche design statement than a mass-market hit, though its ultra-slim form factor will likely intrigue style-focused buyers.