As the September iPhone season approaches, leaks and renders are lighting up the rumor mill—and it’s the radically reimagined iPhone 17 Air stealing the spotlight. With whispers of a 5.5mm-thin chassis, a single rear camera, and an off-center USB-C port, this year’s “Air” model isn’t just slim—it’s shaping up to be Apple’s boldest design move in over a decade.
Camera Flip Sparks Speculation
Recently leaked images of iPhone 17 screen protectors revealed an unexpected detail: the front camera has been relocated. While the standard iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max continue to place the selfie camera on the right of the Dynamic Island, the Air model shifts it to the left—a subtle but possibly significant departure.
According to leaker Majin Bu, this could improve selfies and video calls, though the true reason likely lies in internal engineering constraints. With Apple reportedly pushing the iPhone 17 Air to a thickness of under 6mm, the camera module may have needed to be relocated to avoid clashing with other components inside the chassis.
A Slimmer Build, a Bigger Gamble
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the Plus model this year, offering a redesigned frame, a single 48MP rear camera in a pill-shaped horizontal bar, and a 6.6-inch OLED display with ProMotion and Face ID. It may launch at the same $899 price point, despite including fewer features, most notably, no ultrawide camera, and possibly only one speaker.
Apple seems determined to justify this trade-off with new technologies. A silicon-anode battery from TDK, due to ship by mid-2025, could help offset the smaller battery size. Bloomberg reports Apple’s internal testing shows “on par” battery life with current base iPhones, but a leak from The Information suggests only 60–70% of users may make it through a full day without recharging. Apple is reportedly preparing a dedicated battery case—a potential must-have accessory for power users.
A New Look Across the Lineup
Design leaks suggest that all four iPhone 17 models may feature aluminium frames, replacing the titanium used in the iPhone 16 Pro. While that sounds like a downgrade, it’s part of a broader aesthetic overhaul. Pro and Pro Max models may feature an aluminium-glass hybrid back, supporting wireless charging and MagSafe, with a larger horizontal camera bump reminiscent of the Google Pixel.
Meanwhile, leaked renders suggest Apple is repositioning the logo lower on the rear of the iPhone 17 Pro to fit a full-width camera bar. The iPhone 17 lineup is also expected to debut in new pastel shades—including a vibrant purple and a muted green—alongside the rumored sky blue Pro model, inspired by the colorway of the MacBook Air.
Performance and Features: Everyone Gets a Boost
Under the hood, Apple’s new A19 chip will power the entire iPhone 17 family, with the Pro and Pro Max receiving an enhanced A19 Pro. All four models are said to include 12GB of RAM, supporting the rollout of Apple Intelligence—a suite of new AI features coming in iOS 26 and beyond. Pro models may also include vapor chamber cooling for better performance during sustained workloads.
The front camera across the entire lineup is set to jump to 24MP, a major leap from the current 12MP, and further evidence of Apple’s renewed focus on video calling and creator tools. The Pro models may even offer dual recording, letting users shoot from both front and rear cameras simultaneously—ideal for vloggers and mobile storytellers.
Launch Timing and Pricing
If Apple sticks to its usual cadence, the iPhone 17 lineup will likely be unveiled between September 8–10, with preorders opening that Friday (September 12) and retail availability following on September 19.
Pricing rumors suggest Apple may break its long streak of holding firm, with price hikes potentially attributed to new features and supply chain shifts. Add to that a possible 25% import tariff threatened by Donald Trump for non-US-made iPhones, and we could see global prices fluctuate more than usual. Still, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to retain the $899/£899 tag, despite its avant-garde design.
Risky Redesign or Refreshing Innovation?
The iPhone 17 Air could become the most polarizing iPhone since the introduction of the notch. With just one camera, a thinner-than-ever frame, and potential trade-offs in battery life, it challenges everything we expect from Apple’s Plus-tier models. However, with cutting-edge materials, an enhanced selfie experience, and new display and AI features being introduced to non-Pro models, the iPhone 17 family may represent the most significant update in years.
Whether it’s enough to tempt upgraders in a slowing smartphone market remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: Apple is shaking things up in 2025.
