Can you believe the remarkable journey of iPhone Pros? From the very first generation to the potential sixth, Apple has continuously pushed the boundaries. Alongside the classic models like the Mini and Plus, the latest addition might just be the iPhone 17 Air, also known as the iPhone Slim. With its speculated launch in 2025, it's a decision worth considering whether to skip the iPhone 16 Pro in the meantime.

Uncover the Thin, Light, and Powerful iPhone 17 Air

Significantly Thinner Design

There's no denying that the iPhone 17 Air's most captivating feature could be its potential to make the iPhone 16 Pro seem outdated. Reports suggest that it will boast a chassis with a remarkable thickness of just 6 mm, in stark contrast to the iPhone 16 Pro's 8.25 mm. This translates to a substantial 27% reduction in size, making it incredibly sleek and pocket-friendly. Even when protected in a case, its thinness will be a standout. The engineering feat required to achieve such a thin form factor is truly astonishing and is bound to draw significant attention.Just think about it, the thinnest iPhone to date was the iPhone 6 at 6.9 mm. By going even thinner at 6 mm, the iPhone 17 Air will set a new standard for portability. It's a design that combines style with functionality, offering users a phone that is both easy to carry and a pleasure to hold.

Lighter Weight

Although exact weight figures are yet to be confirmed, there's a strong likelihood that Apple will maintain the thin and light theme with the iPhone 17 Air. We've witnessed Apple's efforts in reducing weight in its iPad Air series, and we expect the same to be applied here.Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro weighs 7.03 ounces, which, for a phone of its size, can feel a bit heavy compared to other similar-sized phones like the Galaxy S24, which weighs 5.89 ounces. We anticipate that the iPhone 17 Air will be lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro, and it wouldn't be surprising if it tips the scales at under 6 ounces. However, it will need to surpass the 3.95 ounce weight of the iPhone 5 to claim the title of the all-time lightest iPhone. This lighter weight will enhance the overall user experience, making it even more convenient to carry around.

Larger Screen

It may seem counterintuitive that a phone touted to be thinner and lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro could have a larger screen. But that's exactly what the rumors suggest. Apple is expected to grace this new model with a stunning 6.6-inch OLED display. Just like the iPhone 16 Pro, it is believed to be a ProMotion display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and seamless visuals.We've also heard reports of this OLED display employing new technology called "touch and display driver integration," which integrates the touch and display layers into one. Given the iPhone 16 Pro's current 6.3-inch display, it leaves us wondering about the dimensions of the iPhone 17 Air. With the bezels around the iPhone 16 Pro already being thin, Apple will likely either make the phone longer or stretch it out slightly to accommodate the larger screen. This larger screen will provide users with a more immersive viewing experience, whether for watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web.

Smaller Cutout for the Dynamic Island

Another detail that could set the iPhone 17 Air apart as the more desirable option is its potential to have a smaller cutout for the Dynamic Island. Since its debut with the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, Apple has been gradually shrinking the size of the Dynamic Island. With the iPhone 17 Air, we could see an even more significant reduction.In its current iteration on the iPhone 16 Pro, the Dynamic Island cutout still takes up a considerable amount of space near the top of the display. However, with the iPhone 17 Air, the areas for the selfie camera and pill-shaped cutout are expected to occupy less space, resulting in a more seamless and uninterrupted display when the Dynamic Island isn't in use. This small yet significant design change will enhance the overall aesthetics and usability of the phone.

Newer A19 Chip

As the iPhone 17 Air is set to arrive alongside other new iPhones in September 2025, it will benefit greatly from having the newer A19 chip. Although using the same 3nm manufacturing process as the current A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro, the A19 is expected to deliver significant performance improvements.While benchmark test scores will likely see an increase, the real excitement lies in the power efficiency of the A19. We saw how the iPhone 16 Pro achieved longer battery life compared to its predecessor. Although there aren't many details about the battery in the iPhone 17 Air, we know that Apple is exploring a new type of glue to secure the phone's batteries. This suggests that the battery capacity may be smaller, but the power efficiency of the A19 chip will play a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance and battery life.Discover the latest tech news and product picks from our experts at Tom's Guide. Stay tuned for more updates on the iPhone 17 Air and its potential to revolutionize the smartphone industry.