Highlights
- The iPhone 17 Air could be Apple’s thinnest phone ever at just 5.5mm.
- Lewis Hilsenteger from Unbox Therapy reveals hands-on with dummy models.
- Apple might use a titanium-aluminum chassis for strength in its ultra-slim build.

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 series has generated a lot of buzz, but what has me interested is the recent iPhone 17 Air early look, which, if the most recent dummy unit leaks are any guide, may be the company’s most efficient iPhone to date.
iPhone 17 Air Early Look: A Super-Slim Redesign That Pushes Limits
Since Unbox Therapy’s Lewis Hilsenteger recently provided an exclusive first look at the dummy model, I’ve been closely analyzing every facet. The most noteworthy feature.
It basically comes down to the lack of thickness. The object in question is said to be only 5.5mm in size. For comparison, the new iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to be around 8.7mm thick. The difference is very noticeable, and the dummy model is incredibly thin when held in the hand.
Any reference to an “ultra-thin iPhone” is likely to evoke memories of the bendgate scandal involving the iPhone 6 Plus in 2014.
This is undoubtedly a legitimate concern. Apple seems to be taking no chances this time. The iPhone 17 Air is reportedly being developed by the company using a titanium and aluminum composite construction.
In addition to keeping the phone from bending or deforming under pressure, the choice seems to be an attempt to preserve its premium feel and light weight.
Is there anything else worth mentioning? Apple reportedly considered giving this model a 6.9-inch display, the same size as the Pro Max, but ultimately opted to make it smaller at 6.6 inches.
The underlying framework served as the basis for the decision. Apple had to rethink its design in order to preserve the device’s durability without adding bulk because thinner phones with larger screens result in more pressure points.
More pressure points result from larger screens on thinner phones, so Apple probably took a step back to maintain the device’s robustness without increasing its thickness.
Batteries are a difficult component, so we will concentrate on them. Apple knows that a phone this thin doesn’t have space for a battery.
According to reports, in order to make room, they are thinking of lowering the quantity of additional camera sensors.
They are anticipated to use their in-house C1 modem, which has been designed to be more power-efficient, at the same time.
Despite using a smaller battery, Apple aims to maintain battery longevity comparable to the newest iPhones by integrating iOS-level software optimization.
Looking at this first release, the iPhone 17 Air doesn’t just seem like a new gadget; it also seems to predict the future of smartphones.
The focus is on simplicity and elegance. Apple seems to be putting design innovation first without sacrificing usability. I’ll bear in mind that things might change before the formal launch.
According to these first impressions, Apple is giving the 17 Air a lot of attention in terms of both engineering and design.
I will be closely monitoring any new developments, especially about Apple’s plans to balance efficiency, functionality, and design within the limitations of such a small device.
The iPhone 17 Air is expected to have a big impact when it launches. if the dummy units are accurate, the iPhone 17 Air is poised to make a significant impact when it hits the market.
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