From the moment the first rumors of the Apple iPhone 17 Air emerged, our curiosity was piqued, and we’ve been eagerly seeking more details. How does this anticipated ultra-slim iPhone integrate into Apple’s current product range? According to recent insights, this model might serve as a precursor to gauge consumer interest in a thinner phone prior to the introduction of a folding variant. Now, we have a clearer picture of just how slim the iPhone 17 Air is designed to be.
Reports suggest the iPhone 17 Air could measure just 5.5mm in thickness, as indicated by Ming-Chi Kuo. Mark Gurman also supports this claim in his Power On! newsletter, noting that the iPhone 17 Air represents a step toward achieving an even slimmer chassis. Not only is the iPhone 17 Air reportedly thinner than its predecessors, but it also dwarfs current competitors. For context, the iPhone 6 is Apple’s skinniest model at 6.9mm, making the upcoming Air a significant leap forward.
In comparison, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim is rumored to fall between 6 and 6.9mm. If these details hold true, the iPhone 17 Air will outpace it by a noticeable margin. The S25 Ultra is anticipated to be 8.2mm, while both the S25 and S25 Plus are expected to measure around 7.2mm.

Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 9 measures approximately 8.5mm thick, and the iPhone 16 boasts a thickness of 7.8mm. To put this in perspective, the iPhone 16 is roughly 0.31 inches thick, similar to the height of a standard sheet of bubble wrap. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Air, at just 5.5mm, is akin to the average thickness of a sliced tomato.
We’ve gathered substantial information about the iPhone 17 Air already, including the possibility of a 120Hz display. Kuo has also mentioned that the iPhone 17 Air will do away with a physical SIM tray, opting for eSIM technology across all variants. However, as Kuo points out, this could lead to complications since eSIM is not currently supported in China, which might mean the iPhone 17 Air won’t be available in that market.

Despite the buzz surrounding the new model, Kuo’s sales forecasts are rather surprising. He suggests that the addition of the iPhone 17 Air will likely have a minimal effect on overall sales due to its anticipated higher price and lesser specifications, predicting a potential 10% drop in iPhone shipments over the next year.
The iPhone 17 Air is set to represent the most significant design shift Apple has made in years, particularly regarding the device’s main body. As we await Apple’s official announcement, the prospect of the world’s thinnest iPhone excites us, but it’s essential to keep in mind that details may evolve.