Excitement surrounding Apple's future lineup is intensifying as a new dummy model, purported to be the iPhone 17 Air, has emerged online. Featured in hands-on videos and images, this non-functional unit provides the most concrete look yet at what could be Apple's thinnest smartphone in years. The appearance of these dummies, reportedly even showing up in phone stores, lends credence to earlier rumors suggesting a significant design shift for the 2025 iPhone generation, potentially replacing the current 'Plus' model with an 'Air' variant focused squarely on a slender profile.The most striking aspect showcased in the leaked materials is the device's remarkable thinness. Compared side-by-side with dummy units of the expected iPhone 17 Pro Max, the iPhone 17 Air appears noticeably slimmer. Specific measurements cited in leaks vary slightly but consistently point towards an ultra-thin chassis. One source mentions a dummy unit measuring 5.44mm, while another video analysis pegs it at 5.65mm at its thinnest point. For context, the accompanying iPhone 17 Pro Max dummy measured 8.75mm, highlighting a substantial difference. This places the potential iPhone 17 Air thickness close to Apple's slimmest device, the M4 iPad Pro which measures 5.1mm, signaling a potential return to the pursuit of thinness as a premium design feature, a strategy Apple hasn't emphasized as strongly in recent iPhone generations.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84fbgEhayoQBeyond its svelte frame, the dummy units hint at other design characteristics. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to sport a 6.6-inch display, positioning it between the anticipated sizes of the standard iPhone 17/Pro (rumored 6.3 inches) and the Pro Max model (rumored 6.9 inches). Leaked images also suggest it might inherit features from the Pro line, such as slimmer bezels around the screen and the inclusion of the Dynamic Island. Interestingly, some dummy photos show a slightly tweaked Dynamic Island, with the front-facing camera potentially shifted to the left side of the pill-shaped cutout. A cutout for the rumored Camera Control button also appears visible on the dummy units, aligning with expectations for the broader iPhone 17 series.This focus on extreme thinness might involve certain trade-offs, although details remain speculative. Early reports suggested the Air model might forgo features like dedicated telephoto or ultrawide cameras found on Pro models to achieve its slim profile, though this isn't universally confirmed across all leaks. The strategic move appears to be replacing the larger-screen 'Plus' variant with this new 'Air' designation, aiming for a different kind of premium appeal centered on sleekness and portability rather than just screen size. If Apple manages to deliver this ultra-thin design without compromising structural integrity, as noted by observers like Lewis Hilsenteger who suggested Apple could "sell a boatload" if they make it strong, the iPhone 17 Air could carve out a unique and compelling niche within the lineup, marking a significant evolution in Apple's smartphone design philosophy.
