While Apple hasn’t officially announced the iPhone 17 series, we have significant information about the new models thanks to leaks and analyst reports. This year’s most radical change appears to be in the larger-screen standard model segment. According to Majin Bu, a well-known leaker, the Plus model seen in the iPhone 14, 15, and 16 series will be discontinued and replaced by the entirely new iPhone 17 Air.
Screen Size Changes with the iPhone 17 Air
Leaked screen protector images indicate a complete revamp of the iPhone 17 series’ screen size strategy. The expected new product lineup is as follows:
- iPhone 17: With a 6.1-inch screen, it will remain the most compact model in the series.
- iPhone 17 Pro: It will retain the 6.3-inch screen size that began with the iPhone 16 Pro.
- iPhone 17 Air: It will feature a new 6.6-inch screen size. This size places it slightly smaller than the older 6.7-inch Plus models, but larger than the 6.3-inch Pro model.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: With its massive 6.9-inch display, it will solidify its position at the top of the lineup.
With this change, Apple is clarifying its product segmentation by making the screen size difference between the standard and Pro models more obvious.
The most striking feature of the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be its ultra-thin chassis, inspired by the iPad Air. However, this aesthetic advantage is rumored to come with some technical compromises. According to analysts, the iPhone 17 Air is likely to feature a single main camera, compared to the triple camera system on the Pro models.
Another concern is battery life. It’s been suggested that a thinner chassis could mean a smaller battery, which could be a major drawback for users. Some rumors even suggest that Apple may develop a new MagSafe battery pack specifically for the Air to address this potential battery issue.
Another theory floating around is that the iPhone 17 Air is a prelude to a larger goal for Apple. Allegedly, Apple is testing its engineering capabilities with this model to develop an ultra-thin device, aiming to master the technology for its first foldable iPhone, which it plans to release in 2026 or later.
If the leaks prove true, the iPhone 17 Air will be the most concrete proof that Apple is turning a new page in both its design language and its marketing strategy.
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