iPhone 17 Air allegedly shown in multiple videos — and it's super, super thin

The tech world is buzzing with excitement over the rumored iPhone 17 Air, a device that promises to redefine smartphone design with its unprecedented thinness. Alleged dummy units of the iPhone 17 Air have surfaced in multiple videos, showcasing a sleek, futuristic form factor that measures just 5.65mm at its thinnest point—making it the slimmest iPhone ever and even thinner than a traditional pencil. These leaks, which come from tech reviewers and Chinese accessory manufacturers, give a tantalizing glimpse of Apple's bold vision for its 2025 lineup. However, the ultra-thin design raises questions about durability, battery life, and trade-offs in functionality, sparking both enthusiasm and skepticism among fans and analysts alike.

Dummy units of the iPhone 17 Air and other models in the iPhone 17 series, including the 8.75mm-thick iPhone 17 Pro Max, have been shown in videos from sources like Unbox Therapy and leaker Majin Bu. The stark contrast in thickness has left reviewers in awe, with Unbox Therapy’s Lewis Hilsenteger noting, “If they find a way to make this strong, they’re going to sell a boatload of these things.” A departure from the multi-lens setups of previous models, the dummy units have a minimalist design with a single rear camera housed in a horizontal camera bar. They are said to be based on CAD models used by accessory manufacturers. This design choice, along with the absence of a physical SIM card slot and a second speaker, suggests Apple is prioritizing slimness over certain features to maintain a sleek profile.

The iPhone 17 Air’s thinness is not just a cosmetic flex; it’s a strategic move in a market where competitors like Samsung and Tecno are also chasing ultra-slim designs. The 6.4mm Galaxy S25 Edge rumor from Samsung and the 5.75mm Spark Slim concept from Tecno point to a wider industry trend toward thinner smartphones. Apple’s decision to cap the iPhone 17 Air’s display at 6.6 inches—down from an initially considered 6.9 inches—reflects a deliberate effort to mitigate bending risks, a concern echoed by reviewers who recall the iPhone 6 Plus “Bendgate” scandal of 2014. To address durability, Apple is reportedly using a titanium and aluminum chassis, aiming to balance strength with its featherweight aesthetic.

However, achieving thinness necessitates making concessions. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a single rear camera, forgoing telephoto and ultrawide lenses, which may disappoint photography enthusiasts. Battery life is another point of contention, as the slim chassis limits space for a robust battery. Apple is countering this with a more efficient A19 chip, a custom C1 modem, and software optimizations to ensure battery performance rivals current iPhone models. The elimination of mmWave 5G and a second speaker further underscores the trade-offs, raising questions about whether consumers will embrace a device that sacrifices features for form.

A polarized response can be seen in social media sentiment, particularly on platforms like Reddit. Some users are thrilled at the prospect of a lightweight, stylish iPhone, with one commenter stating, “I want a phone that’s light and I rarely use all three lenses on my 14 Pro.” However, others are concerned about the Plus model's viability and lament its possible replacement, with one user stating, "We should stop calling a phone slim if the camera bump is huge." The camera bar, which protrudes slightly, may negate some of the thinness benefits when the phone is laid flat or encased.

These leaks fuel speculation regarding Apple's capacity to strike a balance between innovation and usability as the rumored launch of the iPhone 17 Air nears in September 2025. The company's track record suggests that it will use engineering prowess to address issues like bending and battery life; however, the success of the iPhone 17 Air will depend on whether consumers place a higher value on its sleek design than they do on the capabilities of more conventional smartphones. If Apple can deliver a durable, functional, and visually stunning device, the iPhone 17 Air could set a new standard for premium smartphones, proving that thinness is indeed “in.”