March 17, 2025 – In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed that Apple is planning to introduce several innovative designs for the iPhone 17 Air/Slim, set for release this September.
According to Gurman, who was briefed on the matter, this mid-range model is expected to have a starting price of approximately $899 in the United States, matching the current iPhone 16 Plus. It will replace the latter in Apple’s product lineup.
Apple is not willing to compromise on battery life, Gurman noted. The development team has optimized both the hardware and software of this device, codenamed D23, to enhance its power efficiency.
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a high-density battery and an energy-efficient C1 modem. To make space for the battery, Apple has reportedly removed the ultra-wide lens. Despite its ultra-slim design, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to offer comparable battery life to existing models.
Gurman also mentioned that the iPhone 17 Air will inherit the camera control buttons introduced in the iPhone 16 series, which were previously unrumored. These buttons allow for quick access and adjustment of camera functions.
The iPhone 17 Air will adopt an ultra-narrow bezel design similar to the iPhone 16 Pro series, equipped with a 6.6-inch ProMotion display with adaptive refresh rate and retaining the Dynamic Island. It will be powered by the base model A19 Bionic chip and feature a single 48MP rear camera. Notably, it will also ditch the physical SIM card slot globally.
Gurman emphasized that this model marks the beginning of a significant shift for Apple. Although the iPhone 17 Air will not be Apple’s first portless iPhone (referring to the absence of USB-C), the idea is still being considered for future Air models (aiming for a thinner and lighter design) if the iPhone 17 Air proves successful.
