What is iPhone 17 Air and Does it Make Sense?

This content is not created to promote affiliate products or paid placements. Any monetization, when present, does not influence what we cover or how we review products.

While most of the time Apple plays it safe with features focused on everybody, this year the company decided to do something more risky – building a smartphone that is not packed with the most powerful hardware, but on the other hand, is the slimmest iPhone ever.

What is iPhone Air?

Apple’s new iPhone Air is the new member of the iPhone family, with a focus on portability. It is designed to be easier to hold in your hand, easier to fit in your pocket, and with a super lightweight design.

Well, what is the actual use of such a smartphone?

Typically, people associate the iPhone with power, reliability, a top-notch camera, and more. But iPhone 17 Air isn’t any of that.

You might think that nobody would prefer the iPhone 17 Air over the iPhone 17 Pro or the base model. Actually, this is not true!

Being thin & super lightweight means better portability, better fit in every pocket, or to hold in hand.

Its target audience is not gaming or productivity – it is designed for people who use their smartphone casually, and are looking for an easy-to-hold smartphone, which is easy to carry in a pocket or purse.

Still, iPhone 17 Air is not only a pack of compromises

While the iPhone Air isn’t packed with features like a triple camera system for the best camera photography possible, or the most powerful chipset, it still supports all the important things from Apple’s ecosystem. There is Apple Intelligence, enough power to run all the apps you might need(for casual use). Think of it like a MacBook Air in the smartphone market.

The camera is still really good, even though it is only one, and the processor is still enough for most users. As for the battery, it is one of the biggest sacrifices that might discourage some people to get it.

Additionally, it comes with a bigger display(6.5 inches) than the base iPhone 17(6.3inches), without being too hard to carry.

But how thin is it really?

Apple iPhone Air is really, really thin and lightweight. But let’s talk in numbers:

Depth:
iPhone 17 Air – 0.22 inch (5.64mm) | iPhone 17 – 0.31 inch (7.95 mm)

Height:
iPhone 17 Air – 6.15 inches (156.2mm) | iPhone 17 – 5.89 inches (149.6 mm)

Width:
iPhone 17 Air – 2.94 inches (74.7 mm) | iPhone 17 – 2.81 inches (71.5 mm)

Weight:
iPhone 17 Air – 5.82 ounces (165 grams) | iPhone 17 – 6.24 ounces (177 grams)

As you see, it is incredible how Apple managed to create such a thin and lightweight device, while still offering a bigger display.

So, who is iPhone Air for?

The new iPhone Air is perfect for:

Travelers who care about weight and portability
Students and everyday users
Design enthusiasts who value the feel of a super-slim and futuristic device in the hand
Minimalists who prefer sleekness over bulk

What is the iPhone Air’s price?

It starts from $999 for the 256GB version, while the 512GB is $1199, and the 1TB version for $1399. It is available in 4 colors – Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue.

iPhone Air is just the beginning

iPhone Air is just the start of the brand’s experiments with new devices and form factors.

With the growing competition in the smartphone market, Apple isn’t in a position to just stay and do the same – in order to improve sales, they need to come up with brand new devices – thinner, foldable, and, why not even rollable?

The biggest competitor to Apple – Samsung – is a leader in the foldable smartphone market with growing sales each year, and honestly, stealing loyal Apple customers.

Apple is expected to release its first foldable smartphone in 2026, and who knows? If they succeed in that mission, we might expect a wide range of foldable devices – iPhone Fold, iPhone Flip, iPad Fold, Macbook Fold, and who knows?

The future is exciting!

Here are some more related articles you may like:

Our Editorial Process
This article was created by the TrendsPlace editorial team.
We only use AI tools to assist with drafting and efficiency, while all content is researched, reviewed, edited, and finalized by humans to ensure accuracy and quality.