What Does the iPhone 17 Slim Look Like?

It’s nearly that time of year again when we get excited for the latest iPhone launch! 

Earlier rumors suggested that the iPhone 18 may follow in the footsteps of Samsung and Google with a spring release date. However, Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 range in the same September window as every other year, meaning we’re still a few months away. 

We don’t yet have many confirmations about the launch until Apple’s annual fall event in Cupertino. However, one thing we potentially know is the lineup: the base iPhone 17, two Pro models, and a brand new iPhone 17 Slim.

Also known as the iPhone 17 Air (at least until Apple confirms its actual name!), this slimmer device could replace the Plus model. But where does it fit into the current lineup, and what can we expect? In this article, we’ll take a look at the 17 Slim’s possible design features ahead of its release later this year.

Key Design Features

As the thinner edition of Apple’s flagship phone, the iPhone Slim should remain true to its name. The thin device is likely to feature a 5.5mm thickness versus the iPhone 16’s 7.8mm, making it easier to pop in your pocket and take on the go. 

While the Pro and Pro Max will have aluminium frames, the Slim iPhone may feature scratch-resistant titanium. This could make it even more durable than the previous generation! The Dynamic Island should remain, though, a small display at the top of the screen that shows alerts and current activities.

No colors have yet been formally announced. However, the iPhone 17 Air lineup could include a light blue shade called Sky Blue, which is featured on the current M4 MacBook.

Display

Another significant change comes from the screen size, with the iPhone 17 Slim possibly including a 6.6-inch OLED display. This would be bigger than the base 16’s 6.1 inches, but slightly smaller than the Plus and two Pro models.

It may also have ultra-slim bezels to create more screen space, plus a 120Hz refresh rate that was previously exclusive to the Pro models. 

Apple’s ProMotion technology will benefit the entire iPhone 17 range, replacing the fixed 60Hz display with a variable 1Hz to 120Hz rate. This offers smoother animations and better battery life by refreshing the display as and when needed.

Cameras

While a slimmer device has several benefits for portability, functionality is an area where sacrifices may be seen. One part of this could be the camera setup, according to multiple sources.

Like the iPhone 16e, Apple’s budget-friendly version of the iPhone 16 flagship, the 17 Slim is likely to have a single rear camera. This single lens would be the Main camera, with the iPhone’s staple 5x Telephoto and Ultrawide lenses scrapped to save space.

However, one lens that won’t suffer is the Selfie. All iPhone 17 devices, including the Slim, are likely to feature a 24 MP TrueDepth front-facing camera, upgraded from the previous 12MP sensor. The Camera Control button that became a permanent feature on the 16 series will also stay, providing shortcuts to adjust exposure, depth, zoom, style, and more photo settings.

Another possible change, however, comes from the camera bump. Leaked images show a small, horizontally placed rear camera bar shaped like a pill, which looks similar to that of the Google Pixel 9.

Battery & Performance

Alongside camera compromises, a further space-saving measure may be necessary with battery performance. A thinner design equals less space for battery capacity, meaning a shorter battery life. 

But while this is a possibility, the latest rumor mill suggests that tackling the battery issue is a key focus for Apple. One part of this is likely to come courtesy of the C1 chip, Apple’s first in-house developed 5G modem. 

Debuting on the iPhone 16e, this offered 25% power efficiency improvements compared with the iPhone 15 — could the same happen on the iPhone Air? It may also boost wi-fi connectivity versus developer Broadcom’s previous chips, featuring cutting-edge Wi-Fi 8.

The Slim device should contain Apple’s newest chipset, the A19. These chips could be physically smaller in size than the A18, but with a 2-nanometer processor that offers enhanced efficiency and a boosted battery life.

The rumored performance upgrades may be supported by 12GB of RAM. This is a considerable leap from the iPhone 16’s 8GB and would deliver large-scale support for Apple Intelligence — particularly as Apple continues to update its AI platform. However, some sources suggest that it will keep the 8GB of RAM.

Software

It’s not just the design of the iPhone 17 Slim that could look different. The appearance of Apple’s signature software could change with the iPhone 17 lineup, too, including the Slim model. This would mark the most significant software upgrade since the release of iOS 7 back in 2013!

Borrowing from the Apple Vision Pro, a virtual reality headset, iOS 19 is rumored to have a simpler set up. The software may feature updated menus, apps, and buttons, including circular icons and transparent navigation panels. 

Price

The iPhone 17 Slim may be more compact, but as we’ve explained, it’s expected to be a direct replacement for the 17 Plus. 

This prediction is supported further by the rumored price point of around $900, which matches the 16 Plus. The entire 16 series kept the same price as its predecessor, so we could expect the same this time around.

However, with further rumors that new Apple phones imported into the US may be subject to a 25% tariff, costs to the consumer could rise by $200 or more. This isn’t the only reason, either — increasing material expenses could also play a part, but we won’t know for sure until any announcements from Apple.

Final Thoughts

Whether the iPhone 17 Slim makes a good replacement for the Plus remains to be seen. But if rumors are anything to go by, we’re pretty impressed. 

However, the slimmer design, a wider refresh rate, and a potentially better battery performance could take priority over the camera setup. If you’re a budding photographer, you may prefer one of the other devices in the 17 series, like the Pro or Pro Max.

The ultra-thin design and slim bezels may make the iPhone 17 Air more compact, but these features can also impact durability. If you do decide to invest when the new lineup launches, be sure to purchase a shockproof case that will protect your device from drops and accidental damage.