If current rumors are to be believed, next year Apple could bring about a significant shake-up in its iPhone line-up. After the underperformance of the mini and Plus models, the company is reportedly pinning its hopes on the iPhone 17 Air (or possibly iPhone 17 Slim), with its thinness set to be the key selling point.

Thinner than Ever: The iPhone 17 Air's Depth

The main allure of the iPhone 17 Air lies in its remarkable thinness. The thinnest Apple smartphone to date was the 2014 iPhone 6, measuring 6.9mm. However, reports suggest that the Air will outdo this with a thickness of just 6mm. This is an astonishing feat considering the challenges involved in reducing thickness while maintaining battery life and other essential components. For reference, the current iPhone 16 is 7.8mm thick, and the Pro model is 8.25mm.When we look at the 2024 13-inch iPad Pro, which managed to slim down to 5.1mm, it might seem underwhelming. But on a phone, achieving such a thin profile is no easy task. The battery cannot be spread too thinly without sacrificing screen size or reducing battery stamina. Initially, the plan was to go even thinner, but technical difficulties with a new battery led Apple to revert to an older cell. Nevertheless, 6mm will still be the thinnest iPhone ever.

New Screen Tech with 120Hz: A Game-Changer

According to a recent report, one of the ways Apple will achieve the slimness of the new iPhones is through an OLED display with a revolutionary technology called "touch and display driver integration" (TDDI). The very name of this technology gives away its unique selling point: the touch and display layers are integrated into one, significantly reducing the physical footprint required.On top of this, display analyst Ross Young believes that all four models of the iPhone 17 will feature ProMotion, Apple's branding for 120Hz refresh rates. This will be a first for non-Pro iPhones, as previously they only offered up to 60Hz. For many, this is a big deal and could potentially lead to a downgrade from their current devices when the time comes.

A19 Processor: Power and Efficiency

More predictably, but no less excitingly, a new iPhone means a new chipset. The iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with Apple's upcoming A19 processor. This chip is expected to boast improved single and multi-core performance, along with enhanced energy efficiency.However, it's important to note that the gains might not be as substantial as they could be. Apple's switch to the 2nm process is not expected to happen until 2026 with the iPhone 18 family. Therefore, the iPhone 17 Air will likely continue to feature a 3nm chip.

Apple's Own Wi-Fi Chip: A Cost-Saving Move

The iPhone 17 family, including the new Slim model, is reportedly set to be the first Apple smartphones to feature the company's own Wi-Fi chip. This claim comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who sees this as a cost-saving measure for Apple.At present, it's not clear how this will impact wireless performance. But Kuo adds that it could also enhance Apple's ecosystem integration advantages. Additionally, it will contribute to the phone's slimness. As Bloomberg's Mark Gurman writes, "By using its own modem, Apple is able to create a smartphone that's about 2 millimeters thinner than an iPhone 16 Pro, while still having room for the battery, display and camera system."

A Simplified Camera Array: Beauty and Function

For a while, premium smartphones tried to justify their price hikes by adding more and more rear camera lenses. However, Apple is reportedly looking to reverse this trend with the iPhone 17 Air. It is said to have just one rear camera instead of the usual multiple lenses. This means Apple will be ditching the ultrawide lens in favor of a single 48MP sensor.While this may seem disappointing at first glance, it is actually more aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, Apple has managed to impressively emulate a 2x zoom through pixel binning on its recent telephoto-less iPhones. So, for the average user, performance may not suffer too much.

A Sky-High Price: The Cost of Innovation

What's harder to accept is the reported premium price of the iPhone 17 Air. While the iPhone mini series was $100 cheaper than the regular iPhone, and the Plus is currently $100 more, rumors suggest that the Air could be the most expensive Apple handset ever.If true, this would surpass the $1,199 price of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Such a high price tag will be a tough sell, regardless of how lightweight and aesthetically pleasing the new phone is. It remains to be seen if Apple can manage to bring the iPhone Air in at a competitive MSRP.

Apple's Own 5G Modem: Reducing Dependence

Rumors have been circulating since 2018 that Apple is working on its own 5G modem for iPhones. And it seems that with the iPhone 17 Slim, this dream could finally become a reality. Kuo has stated that we can expect two iPhone models with an Apple-designed 5G modem to launch in 2025, namely the Slim and the iPhone SE 4.Currently, iPhones rely on Qualcomm modems for cellular connectivity. While it's unclear whether switching to an in-house modem will bring any consumer benefits, it will undoubtedly reduce Apple's reliance on Qualcomm and likely cut costs for the iPhone maker.

Outlook: Style vs. Substance

Apple critics often argue that buyers end up paying for style over substance. And the rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 Air do seem to support this stereotype. While there's nothing wrong with wanting a thinner handset and a simpler camera layout, it becomes more difficult to justify if it comes with a huge premium.Here's hoping that the talk of a big price hike is unfounded and that Apple can manage to bring the iPhone Air in at a competitive MSRP. If they succeed, there's no reason why this couldn't be the company's biggest seller in 2025.