Next year's highly anticipated iPhone 17 Air (or iPhone 17 Slim) is rumored to be the thinnest iPhone yet, as reported by The Information and Wayne Ma. Handset prototypes have unveiled several new details about this slim iPhone. Allegedly, the prototypes have a thickness ranging from 5mm to 6mm. In contrast, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models measure 7.8mm thick, while the iPhone 16 Pro versions are 8.25mm thick.

Design Compromises and SIM Card Changes

Due to losing 2 to 3mm in thickness, certain compromises have been made. Although the design is not yet finalized, the current version does not include a physical SIM card tray. This implies that the phone will utilize a virtual SIM card. Since the iPhone 14, every iPhone in the US has employed an eSIM card. However, in China, this technology is currently banned.In most cases, US iPhones are similar to global releases, unlike some Android manufacturers that adjust their releases based on the market. With an unfinished design, it will be intriguing to see if Apple attempts to incorporate a physical SIM card tray into the phone. According to Ma's report, Apple plans to eliminate eSIM in as many markets as possible next year.Outside of the SIM card, the iPhone 17 Air might only have one speaker in the earpiece. There is not enough space for a speaker at the bottom of the phone.Ma also reports that Apple engineers are facing difficulties in fitting the battery and thermal materials into the device, as one of the people mentioned.Another compromise is in the camera. The report states that there will be a "large, centered camera bump on its back" with a single lens. Current iPhone 16 models have two or three rear cameras.

5G Modem and Data Speed

One area where Apple has managed to achieve smaller size is the Apple-designed 5G modem. It is supposed to be smaller and more power-efficient than the Qualcomm modems in current iPhones. Ma's report notes that this modem will lack mmWave 5G support and have a slower overall data speed.

iPhone 17 Pro Model Changes

Beyond the iPhone 17 Air, next year's Pro models will undergo significant design changes. According to the report, the iPhone 17 Pro Models will switch from titanium frames to aluminum ones. Additionally, the rear of the phone will feature a "part-aluminum, part-glass design." The camera bump is expected to change to a larger rectangle made of aluminum instead of 3D glass. This bump is supposed to be larger than that on previous Pro models.The bottom half of the device is supposed to be glass to "accommodate wireless charging." A glass back was first introduced on the iPhone 8; most previous models had aluminum panels.The Information is generally very accurate with its Apple rumors, so these changes would mark a significant visual change for the iPhone.The iPhone 17 Air, aluminum Pro and Pro Max, and the standard iPhone 17 are expected to launch in the fall of 2025, most likely in September.Discover the hottest deals, best product picks, and the latest tech news from our experts at Tom's Guide.