iPhone 17 Air’s Ultra-Thin Is Surprisingly Thin, What Does It Mean for Apple’s Next iPhone Lineup?

Highlights

• The iPhone 17 Air is so slim that it almost blends in with the side buttons, making it the thinnest iPhone ever.
• Its lightweight build could change how people perceive smartphone design.
• Early hands-on impressions suggest its futuristic feel may tempt buyers away from the Pro models, potentially affecting Apple’s high-end revenue strategy.

We’ve been hearing rumours for a while now about Apple’s plan to replace the Plus model with a new ultra-thin version called the iPhone 17 Air. But now, we’re finally getting a clearer look at just how slim it really is and it’s turning heads.

We recently reported on the new hands-on video by Lewis (Lew) George Hilsenteger from Unbox Therapy showing off dummy models of the entire iPhone 17 lineup, including the 17 Air. And even Lew, who’s been following the leaks closely, was surprised when he held the dummy iPhone 17 Air model in hands. “That feels futuristic,” is what Lew said the moment he picked up the iPhone 17 Air dummy. And it’s easy to see why.

iPhone 17 Series – New Dummy Unit Image

Caption – iPhone 17 Series dummy unit images from the slides. (Image credit – Sonny Dickson on X)

Tipster Sonny Dickson has previously shared dummy unit pictures showing the back of the phone. But now Dickson has shared photos showing all four models including iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and 17 Air from the side angle. The images show the striking difference in the thickness of the models and iPhone 17 Air definitely stands out.

Take a look at the sides of the iPhone 17 dummy — the Air model is unbelievably thin. pic.twitter.com/ixadQHuxK5

— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) April 24, 2025

While the standard models all look normally thin, the iPhone 17 Air is so slim, it’s barely thicker than the side buttons. That’s not an exaggeration. From the side, it almost blends in with the volume and sleep/wake buttons. Posting the images, Dickson wrote, “Take a look at the sides of the iPhone 17 dummy — the Air model is unbelievably thin.”

This extreme thinness likely means it’ll be super lightweight, too. But there’s a trade-off since the camera bar on the back runs across the full width, which might make it feel a bit top-heavy.

Caption – Screengrab from Unbox Therapy’s recent video. (Image credit – Unbox Therapy)

Lew in their hands-on video said Apple might actually be in trouble, but in a good way. It is because as he puts it, “anyone who holds an iPhone 17 Air won’t want to buy any other model.”

That’s a big deal, especially since the Air is not expected to be the most expensive iPhone. The Pro and Pro Max models will likely cost more, and if people start choosing the Air instead, Apple could lose out on some of that high-end revenue.

But this might be a risk worth taking.

Caption – A look at iPhone models from the recent past. (Image credit – 9to5Mac)

iPhone designs haven’t changed much in years. From the iPhone 14 to the 16, it’s been hard to tell them apart at a glance. The last major shift was the iPhone X in 2017.

The iPhone 17 Air won’t be quite as radical, but it’s still a big leap compared to what we’ve seen lately. And that could be exactly what Apple needs, something exciting, new and buzzworthy to get people talking again.

If the 17 Air helps spark a wave of fresh interest, it might even set the stage for future products like the iPhone Fold expected next year.

FAQs

Q1. How thin is the iPhone 17 Air compared to other iPhones?

Answer. The iPhone 17 Air is so slim that it almost blends with the side buttons, making it the thinnest iPhone ever.

Q2. What impact could the iPhone 17 Air have on Apple’s sales strategy?

Answer. Its futuristic feel could lead customers to prefer it over the Pro models, potentially affecting Apple’s high-end revenue.

Q3. How does the iPhone 17 Air design compare to previous iPhones?

Answer. While iPhones have looked similar for years, the 17 Air’s ultra-thin build is a big shift, possibly setting the stage for future innovations like the iPhone Fold.

Also Read: Apple’s Foldable iPhone Could Come with a Compact Display

Also Read: iPhone 17 Air Hands-On Video Shows Ultra-Thin Design; iPhone 17e Heads Toward Production