Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air, anticipated to be the brand’s next ultra-slim model, has encountered an unexpected setback. Initially, Apple aimed to introduce a high-density battery to achieve a thinner profile, but the iPhone 17 Air is now expected to debut with increased thickness.
According to Naver user yeux1122, Apple has faced challenges in developing this high-density battery, forcing the company to abandon its ultra-slim design goal.
Battery limitations force Apple to rethink the iPhone 17 Air’s design
Originally envisioned as Apple’s thinnest iPhone since the 6.9mm iPhone 6, the iPhone 17 Air was designed to surpass this benchmark by using a battery with a thinner substrate. However, manufacturing difficulties and high production costs have led Apple to modify its plans. As a result, the iPhone 17 Air is now expected to exceed 7mm in thickness, falling short of its initial ultra-thin promise.
This development raises questions about the relevance of the iPhone 17 Air if it doesn’t significantly reduce thickness compared to existing models. For instance, the current iPhone 16 Plus which is expected to replace the Air is 7.8mm thick, so a minor reduction may not be enough to make the 17 Air stand out.
Despite this change, the iPhone 17 Air is still expected to deliver significant upgrades in display, performance, and camera. It’s likely to feature ProMotion technology with a 120Hz refresh rate, an upgraded 48MP camera sensor, and improvements in front camera resolution from 12MP to 24MP. Additionally, Apple plans to integrate its self-developed 5G modem.
Apple isn’t alone in facing these challenges. Samsung is reportedly experiencing similar issues with its own upcoming ultra-slim model, the Galaxy S25 Slim, slated for release in early 2024. Reports indicate Samsung has encountered hurdles with battery density, which was intended to enable a slimmer design without compromising battery life.
Consequently, the Galaxy S25 Slim may also end up thicker than planned, although Samsung is reportedly using a new battery technology. Due to these constraints, Samsung may limit the initial release quantities of the Galaxy S25 Slim.
More rumors are on the horizon, and we’ll keep you posted with the latest updates. In the meantime, you can explore our iPhone 17 Air roundup for all the details on what’s known so far about this radical “slim” iPhone.
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