Apple iPhone 17 Air Full Review – Features, Strengths, Weaknesses & Price
Apple Unveils the Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 Air: A Bold New Design
At its recent September 9 event, Apple introduced the iPhone 17 Air, a super-thin iPhone that marks the first major design overhaul in years. The name “iPhone 17 Air” was chosen because it resonates with consumers familiar with the “Air” branding from the MacBook Air and iPad Air.
Measuring just 5.5mm thick, the iPhone 17 Air is officially the thinnest iPhone ever. This measurement excludes the camera bump, which is slightly thicker to accommodate the 48-megapixel single-lens rear camera.
Apple will offer the iPhone 17 Air alongside the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. There’s no iPhone 17 Plus this year, with the Air effectively replacing it in the lineup. Early rumors suggested it could be as pricey—or even pricier—than the iPhone 17 Pro, but recent reports clarify that it will be more expensive than the standard iPhone 17 while remaining cheaper than the Pro models.
In terms of display, the iPhone 17 Air features a 6.5-inch screen, positioning it between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max. As noted, it has a single-lens rear camera, housed in a horizontal camera bar at the back—a design element shared with the Pro models.
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 Air packs a 120Hz ProMotion display and Apple’s C1 5G modem. Other highlights include the A19 chip and a more advanced screen material for better durability against drops and scratches. Some minor design tweaks accommodate its thin chassis, such as a USB-C port slightly off-center and fewer speaker holes.
Apple is marketing the iPhone 17 Air with a design-first approach, rather than emphasizing top-tier specs. While it doesn’t have the fastest chip or premium components of the Pro models, its sleek new design is likely to appeal to users. Limitations include the single-lens camera and some battery compromises due to the device’s slim profile.
Design Highlights
Apple’s 2024 iPad Pro showed off how thin a device could get, with the 12.9-inch model measuring just 5.1mm. Following that, the iPhone 17 Air brings this ultra-thin and lightweight design to the iPhone lineup, measuring roughly 5.8mm thick.
For context, the iPhone 6 was previously the thinnest iPhone at 6.9mm, while newer models like the iPhone X became thicker to make room for larger batteries, improved cameras, and Face ID hardware. The iPhone 17 Air’s camera bump reaches 9.5mm, making it noticeably more prominent than the rest of the device.
Apple uses a titanium-aluminum frame for the iPhone 17 Air, with more titanium than current Pro models. It weighs 165 grams, keeping it in line with the iPhone SE 2 (148g) and iPhone 13 mini (141g). Titanium provides both durability and lightness, helping the frame resist bending.
The device also features a glass section around the Apple logo, integrated seamlessly into an all-metal chassis—a design described as half aluminum, half glass.
Minor design adjustments were made to fit all internal components into the thin frame. Dummy models show the USB-C port shifted toward the rear instead of being centered, and the speaker grilles simplified to just two holes per side, down from the usual five.
Other features expected based on dummy models include MagSafe, a Camera Control Button, and an Action Button. Screen protector mockups suggest the front camera is positioned to the left of the Dynamic Island, unlike the right-side placement seen on the iPhone 16.
iPhone 17 Air Specifications
| 📱 Design & Build Quality |
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|---|---|
| 🖥️ Display |
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| 🔧 Performance & Hardware |
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| ⚙️ Software & Sensors |
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| 📸 Camera |
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| 🔋 Battery & Charging |
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| 🌐 Connectivity & Network |
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| 🔊 Audio & Multimedia |
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iPhone 17 Air of Advantages
- Ultra-thin and lightweight design (just 5.6 mm thick, 165 g), making it easy to carry and comfortable to hold.
- Premium materials: durable grade 5 titanium frame with Ceramic Shield 2 glass front and back.
- Brilliant display: 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and peak brightness up to 3000 nits for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Powerful performance: Apple A19 Pro chipset (3 nm) with 12GB RAM for smooth multitasking, gaming, and professional use.
- Large storage options up to 1TB, ideal for users with heavy media and app needs.
- Strong camera system: 48 MP main sensor with sensor-shift OIS, HDR, and Dolby Vision HDR video up to 60fps.
- High-quality front camera with 18 MP lens, OIS, and SL 3D sensor for secure Face ID and depth mapping.
- Advanced connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, dual eSIM with support for multiple numbers, and wide-range 5G bands.
- Extra features for safety: satellite-based SOS, emergency messaging, and “Find My” functionality.
- IP68 water and dust resistance, with protection up to 6m depth for 30 minutes.
- Decent charging options: Fast wired charging (50% in 30 mins), MagSafe/Qi2 wireless charging, and reverse charging capability.
iPhone 17 Air of Disadvanatages
- Battery capacity (3149 mAh) is relatively small compared to other flagship smartphones, which may impact longevity under heavy use.
- No headphone jack, limiting users to wireless or USB-C audio solutions.
- Single main camera (48 MP) instead of a multi-lens system, which may lack versatility compared to competitors with telephoto and ultra-wide lenses.
- USB Type-C 2.0 port only — much slower data transfer than USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt options.
- Wireless charging speed (up to 15W) is slower than some Android rivals offering 50W+ wireless charging.
- Very slim build could mean less space for battery and may make it slightly more fragile despite premium materials.
- Premium price tag expected, which might be less appealing compared to Android flagships with more features at lower cost.