Apple Prepares for a Rewrite in Smartphone Thinness
Apple is stealing headlines with plans for its new iPhone 17 Air, said to be the thinnest iPhone yet. According to rumors, it is supposed to be a meager 6.25mm thick, as opposed to the thickness of 8.25mm from the iPhone 16 Pro variants. This really is a bold step towards reinventing smartphone design for Apple and a return to the slender and featherlight models that made the iPhone 6 such a favorite; after all, the iPhone 6 was a scant 6.9mm thick.
Thinness: The Technical Challenges
While the iPhone 17 Air‘s design will still be considered a feat, it won’t beat Apple’s current thinnest device, which is the 13-inch iPad Pro by more than 1mm. A specific reason for the iPhone 17 Air’s final measurements is the struggles Apple has been experiencing regarding battery substrate development. Nonetheless, it will still beat the record as the thinnest iPhone to be ever made.
A Unique Addition to the iPhone 17 Series
The iPhone 17 Air will be an outlier in the otherwise design-carried-forward iPhone 17 series from the iPhone 16 lineup. As a high-end product, the Air will cost more, mainly because of its unique ultra-thin design. Internally, it will be much like the base iPhone 17, which further points out that the Air’s selling point is its looks and not some special hardware upgrade.
The Debut of Apple’s In-House 5G Modem
In addition to its striking design, the iPhone 17 Air will feature Apple’s first-ever custom 5G modem. However, early reports indicate that this modem may not match the performance of Qualcomm’s offerings. To ease this transition, Apple plans to debut the modem in the iPhone SE 4 before rolling it out to the iPhone 17 Air. This cautious approach reflects Apple’s strategy to refine its technology before wider implementation.
Industry Implications of the Ultra-Thin Design
There are rumors that the thickness of the iPhone 17 Air could be below 5mm to 6mm if Apple makes breakthroughs similar to those realized on the design of the iPad Pro. Such an achievement would no doubt set a new industry benchmark, inspiring competitors to follow suit.
Future of the iPhone 17 Series
The iPhone 17 Air will define itself by its design, but the rest of the series may use different materials: part-aluminum, part-glass for the iPhone 17 Pro, for example. Gone, it seems, is the titanium finish that was a feature of the Pro model in previous years. If ultra-thin is good enough for the Air, though, it’s anyone’s guess if it will trickle down into the wider iPhone range.
Conclusion
iPhone 17 Air is a realization of Apple’s commitment to innovation, balancing cutting-edge design with practical considerations. Having an ultra-thin profile and integrating Apple’s customized 5G modem, it brings exciting signals toward the development roadmap of future smartphones. Amidst growing anticipation, it could redefine consumer expectations, keeping Apple ahead in the league.
Source: Bloomberg
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