Thinner smartphones are clearly the pattern of the yr – whether or not you requested for it or not. First got here the ultra-slim
, presently rocking the crown because the world’s thinnest foldable. However that title may be short-lived, with Honor anticipated to
(relying on how superstitious it’s feeling, for the reason that quantity 4 in Chinese language sounds just like the phrase for dying. Yikes).
. Yep, everybody’s going full-on pancake mode with their designs.
iPhone 17 Air can be skinny, positive – however at what value?
That is how thinner the Air may very well be in comparison with a Professional mannequin. | Picture credit score – Majin Bu
Let’s begin with the battery. As a result of the Air is anticipated to be so slim, it most likely can’t match a big one. However Apple would possibly attempt to work round that with iOS 19 and its new AI tips.
Apparently, Apple is coaching its Apple Intelligence to review your telephone habits. It’ll determine when it may well cut back energy utilization for sure apps or options. That’s supposed to assist lengthen battery life. The function is anticipated to roll out with iOS 19 this September, throughout the entire iPhone 17 lineup, however let’s be actual: the Air can be relying on it essentially the most. Now the digital camera. Rumors counsel the iPhone 17 Air might ship with only one rear digital camera (48 MP one, much like the $599 iPhone 16e). Yeah, in 2025. And if this factor finally ends up priced just like the Plus mannequin, that’s going to be a troublesome promote. Much less battery, fewer cameras – however hey, not less than it’s thinner?
Historical past says the iPhone 17 Air may not final lengthy
Then got here the Plus fashions, beginning with the iPhone 14 Plus, adopted by the 15 Plus and the 16 Plus. However it appears like time is up once more – now the iPhone 17 Air is stepping in.
If there’s one factor Apple’s historical past has proven us, it’s that chopping corners in battery and digital camera by no means actually goes over effectively with the lots.
Simply take a look at the iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini. Personally, I feel they had been the height of compact design – 5.4 inches of pure perfection. However the battery life? Not so good. The iPhone 13 mini got here with a 2,406 mAh battery, whereas the common iPhone 13 had 3,227 mAh. That could be a fairly massive hole and the worth distinction between the 2 was solely $100.
So yeah, folks skipped the mini. Apple bought the message and changed it with the Plus. The Plus introduced an enormous 6.7-inch show (which, by the way in which, can be what the Air is rumored to have). However the Plus didn’t precisely catch fireplace both. For 3 years now, it’s been Apple’s worst-selling mannequin. Oof.
The Plus mannequin just isn’t among the many best-selling iPhones.
Why? In all probability as a result of the one factor it actually supplied over the common mannequin was an even bigger display and barely higher battery life – for $100 extra. And for $100 extra, most individuals would quite simply go Professional and get higher cameras, show, battery and precise Professional options.
And that’s precisely why I feel the iPhone 17 Air is heading down the identical highway.
It’s slim, it’s totally different – however it received’t be for everybody
Similar to the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 14 Plus right here, the Air will not be for everybody. | Picture credit score – PhoneArena
The iPhone 17 Air is shaping as much as be a smooth gadget for a really particular type of individual – somebody who values aesthetics and thinness above all else. In case you are the type of consumer who doesn’t care a lot about having the very best battery or digital camera and simply desires a brilliant slim telephone with an enormous show, you’ll most likely prefer it.
However for everybody else? It’s simply not going to make sense.
If the Air actually does value the identical because the Plus did, however brings fewer options, most consumers will skip it. Just like the mini and the Plus, it’ll most likely stick round for a few years, be made in smaller portions and by no means be a best-seller.
And till Apple (and Samsung for that matter) lastly adopts silicon-carbon batteries (you realize, those that pack extra energy into much less area), skinny telephones just like the Air will at all times really feel like model over substance.
Developments come and go quick in tech and I feel thinness is simply the newest hype. Similar to the mini and Plus had their second, the Air could have its flip… then make means for no matter’s subsequent. And what might that be? Possibly modular or customizable telephones, why not? I do know, I’d like to see Apple make one.
What would you prefer to see as the subsequent “experimental” iPhone Apple drops in future collection? And no, don’t say foldable – that’s outdated information at this level. Let’s hear your wildest concepts!
