Apple is reportedly taking sleekness to the next level with the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever—but possibly at the cost of high-end specifications.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the upcoming iPhone will feature a remarkably slim 5.5mm body at its thinnest point. A recent leak from Ice Universe supports this claim and adds that the device’s camera bar will be 4mm thick, bringing the phone’s thickest point to 9.5mm.
How thin is too thin?
To put this into perspective, previous leaks had suggested the iPhone 17 Air would be around 6.25mm thick, making this latest report a significant drop in size. This means Apple is focusing on ultra-portability and a sleek design, likely aiming to make it the thinnest mainstream smartphone on the market.
However, the slimmer profile might come at a price. Kuo previously warned that Apple may use downgraded components to achieve this ultra-thin design, while the overall user experience may remain similar to previous iPhones. Despite its high-end appeal, it’s unlikely to drive a massive sales boost.
Camera bar instead of a bump
One of the standout design choices for the iPhone 17 Air is its camera bar, which is expected to run nearly the full width of the phone instead of a traditional camera bump. Despite housing just a single camera, this design choice appears to be aimed at providing a more balanced and modern aesthetic.
In Imperial measurements, the body will be roughly 0.22 inches thick, while the camera bar will extend to 0.37 inches.
With a release expected in the second half of 2025, Apple enthusiasts will be eager to see whether the iPhone 17 Air balances thinness, performance, and premium features—or if its ultra-slim design comes at too great a cost.
