The 'iPhone 17 Air' is Confusing

In recent months, several credible sources have claimed that Apple plans to release a redesigned, significantly thinner iPhone 17 model next year. The device's name is not yet known, so we are referring to it as the "iPhone 17 Air" for now.

In short, the iPhone 17 Air sounds confusing.

While the iPhone 17 Air could become the thinnest iPhone ever, rumors suggest that it will not have the best specifications possible like the Pro or Pro Max models, which will make for a very difficult purchasing decision next year.

There have been conflicting rumors about the design and specifications for the device, but most sources have agreed that it will have around a 6.6-inch display. In July, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects the device to have a standard A19 chip, a Dynamic Island, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G modem.

That means the iPhone 17 Air would have quite a large display, but the 6.9-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max would still be larger. With an A19 chip, the device would certainly be performant, but the iPhone 17 Pro models will get a superior A19 Pro chip. A single camera would put the device on the same tier as the iPhone SE for photography.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air could be one of the first devices with an Apple-designed 5G modem, but it is unclear if it will have any obvious consumer benefits over the Qualcomm modems that are expected to be used for iPhone 17 Pro models. Nevertheless, Apple's cellular future will debut in this device rather than the flagship Pro models.

With the iPhone 17 Air not expected until September 2025, it's still early, so perhaps rumors will make more sense over time. But, for now, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Air will be a mixed bag in terms of design and specifications.