As Apple prepares to unveil its ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air this September, a surprising new contender has entered the conversation. The “Nubia Air”, an unannounced smartphone from ZTE’s sub-brand Nubia, has surfaced in a leak that shows off a design strikingly similar to Apple’s upcoming model — enough to raise eyebrows. But a closer look reveals a more nuanced story.
A fresh leak from tipster Evan Blass reveals the Nubia Air in what appears to be marketing material or internal documentation. The phone features a sleek, minimalist rear panel with a pill-shaped camera module — a main sensor on the left, LED flash on the right — and a small rectangular zone below that may house the NFC chip. It’s a layout that mirrors the iPhone 17 Air’s rumored design almost exactly.
A deeper look reveals a twist
At first glance, the similarities are hard to ignore. But dig a little deeper, and the story gets more interesting. Back in the day, ZTE — Nubia’s parent company — released a phone called the ZTE Grand S Flex, which sported a very similar rear design. The camera placement, module shape, and even the lower section of the back panel evoke strong parallels to what we’re seeing in both the Nubia Air and iPhone 17 Air leaks.
This raises the possibility that Nubia may not be blatantly copying Apple, but instead reviving and refining one of its past designs. Whether it’s a coincidence or a strategic move to preempt Apple’s narrative, the resemblance to the older Grand S Flex adds a layer of credibility — and perhaps even originality — to Nubia’s effort.
The Nubia Air’s front does break from Apple’s rumored design. Instead of a notch or Dynamic Island, the phone appears to feature a centered punch-hole camera — paired with an under-display fingerprint sensor.
There’s no official word yet on specs or pricing, but if the Nubia Air follows typical Nubia and ZTE strategy, it will likely target cost-conscious markets — and undercut the iPhone 17 Air’s rumored $899 starting price.
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