iPhone 17 “Air” leak predicts strange hardware benefits

Apple is once again preparing to revamp its iPhone portfolio next year, and it seems that many interesting upgrades are on the way. The most notable of these is apparently the introduction of a new “iPhone 17 Slim” model, which some rumors also refer to as the “Air” version.

So far, the leaks have focused on the phone’s dramatic aesthetic makeover. Specifically, it could be the slimmest iPhone ever. Additionally, it will represent a significant departure from Apple’s current design language. And if renderings circulating on social media are to be believed, an all-metal structure is on the horizon.

Now Haitong International analyst Jeff Pu has shared more details (via Macrumors and 9to5Mac) about the phone’s internal hardware. The display size is initially 6.6 inches, with a Face ID module on the top.

Pu’s analyst note specifically mentions aluminum construction, a choice that will apparently keep the weight profile down. In recent years, Apple’s high-end Pro models have relied on stainless steel or a titanium-metal composite, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro series.

The upcoming “slim” iPhone will be powered by the next-generation A19 SoC based on the 3nm process, similar to the A18 series that powers the iPhone 16 quartet. It’s accompanied by 8GB of RAM, but there’s no information on how much storage Apple will cram into the sleek phone.

As for imaging, the phone will only support a single 48-megapixel snapper, a feature that has now become mainstream across the iPhone lineup. However, on the front, users are greeted by a 24-megapixel selfie sniper.

Interestingly, according to MacRumors, the analyst believes that the iPhone 17 Slim will launch as a “mid-range iPhone.” However, previous reports said that it would be the most expensive phone Apple has ever made and that it would likely cost more than $1,200 apiece.

Pricing strategy aside, the upcoming phone is set to replace the “Plus” model of the main iPhone series. This would be the second change for Apple in less than half a decade, following the short-term introduction of the “Mini” variant.

However, keep in mind that these are all very early predictions, referring to a phone that is still almost a year away from launch. As expected, you should approach these with a fair amount of skepticism and prepare for some surprising changes as Apple continues to develop its next-generation smartphones.