Thinner smartphones are clearly the development of the 12 months – whether or not you requested for it or not. First got here the ultra-slim
, at the moment rocking the crown because the world’s thinnest foldable. However that title is perhaps short-lived, with Honor anticipated to
(relying on how superstitious it’s feeling, because the quantity 4 in Chinese language sounds just like the phrase for loss of life. Yikes).
. Yep, everybody’s going full-on pancake mode with their designs.
iPhone 17 Air will likely be skinny, positive – however at what price?
That is how thinner the Air could possibly 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 may attempt to work round that with iOS 19 and its new AI methods.
Apparently, Apple is coaching its Apple Intelligence to review your cellphone habits. It’ll work out when it will possibly cut back energy utilization for sure apps or options. That’s supposed to assist prolong battery life. The characteristic is anticipated to roll out with iOS 19 this September, throughout the entire iPhone 17 lineup, however let’s be actual: the Air will likely be relying on it probably the most. Now the digicam. Rumors recommend the iPhone 17 Air may ship with only one rear digicam (48 MP one, just 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 won’t final lengthy
Then got here the Plus fashions, beginning with the iPhone 14 Plus, adopted by the 15 Plus and the 16 Plus. But it surely seems to be 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 slicing corners in battery and digicam by no means actually goes over properly with the plenty.
Simply have a look at the iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini. Personally, I believe they have 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 huge hole and the worth distinction between the 2 was solely $100.
So yeah, folks skipped the mini. Apple received the message and changed it with the Plus. The Plus introduced an enormous 6.7-inch show (which, by the way in which, can also 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 shouldn’t be among the many best-selling iPhones.
Why? In all probability as a result of the one factor it actually provided over the common mannequin was a much bigger display screen 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 believe the iPhone 17 Air is heading down the identical street.
It’s slim, it’s totally different – however it gained’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 sort of individual – somebody who values aesthetics and thinness above all else. If you’re the sort of consumer who doesn’t care a lot about having one of the best battery or digicam and simply desires an excellent slim cellphone with a giant show, you’ll most likely prefer it.
However for everybody else? It’s simply not going to make sense.
If the Air actually does price 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 recognize, those that pack extra energy into much less area), skinny telephones just like the Air will at all times really feel like fashion over substance.
Traits come and go quick in tech and I believe thinness is simply the newest hype. Similar to the mini and Plus had their second, the Air could have its flip… then make approach for no matter’s subsequent. And what may that be? Perhaps modular or customizable telephones, why not? I do know, I might 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!
