Apple is reportedly working on its thinnest iPhone ever, with a thickness of just 5mm to 6mm. Following its success with the MacBook Air, iPad Air, and the M4-equipped iPad Pro, Apple is now focusing on creating an ultra-thin smartphone. However, this slim design will come with compromises, including a smaller battery and the inclusion of only a single camera.
In addition to this, Apple is reportedly planning several design changes for its thinnest iPhone yet, the iPhone 17 Air. The device is expected to ditch the bottom-edge speaker, a staple in recent models, replacing it with a single speaker located in the earpiece to save space. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air will eliminate the physical SIM card tray in favor of eSIM technology, aligning with Apple’s move toward eSIM-only models in the U.S., though this could limit flexibility in regions with lower eSIM adoption.
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Connectivity may also face limitations, as Apple is rumored to use an in-house 5G modem that may not support mmWave technology, potentially resulting in slower data speeds compared to devices using Qualcomm’s technology. The iPhone 17 Air’s ultra-thin design may also lead to a smaller battery, resulting in shorter battery life than its predecessors.
Despite these compromises, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a 6.6-inch display with Apple’s Dynamic Island, an A19 chip, and 8GB of RAM for improved performance and energy efficiency. The device may also sport an aluminium frame, offering a balance between durability and weight reduction.
Apple is also expected to enter the foldable smartphone market soon. According to display analyst Ross Young, Apple is expected to join the foldable market in the second half of 2026, and this move could spark a significant revival for foldable smartphones.
For the unversed, Apple is also reportedly working on smart glasses AirPods with built-in cameras, reported Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. However, these two devices are expected to come in the market by 2027.
