Rumors continue to swirl around Apple’s purported iPhone 17 Air. This model is expected to replace the “Plus” model in this year’s iPhone 17 lineup. A new leak today sheds light on what could be a controversial design choice by Apple: a camera bar on the back.
iPhone 17 Air design rumors
We’ve heard a few differing reports on how thin the iPhone 17 Air will be.
- A supply chain report suggested the iPhone 17 Air will be around 6.25mm thick.
- The Information reported that iPhone 17 Air prototypes are between 5 and 6 millimeters thick.
- Most recently, Ming-Chi Kuo reported the iPhone 17 Air will measure 5.5mm at its thinnest point.
For comparison’s sake, all of these possibilities are significantly thinner than the current iPhone 16 models. All of these numbers also suggest the iPhone 17 Air will be Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, besting the iPhone 6’s 6.9mm chassis.
- iPhone 16: 7.80mm
- iPhone 16 Plus: 7.80mm
- iPhone 16 Pro: 8.25mm
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 8.25mm
Another aspect of the iPhone 17 Air that’s been hotly-contested is the camera bump. The device is widely expected to feature a single 48MP camera on the back, a significant departure from the iPhone 16’s two cameras and the iPhone 16 Pro’s three cameras.
In a post on social media today, leaker Majin Bu shared an image showcasing the alleged design of the back of the iPhone 17 Air. The image originated from a source on Weibo.
Majin Bu has a mixed track record when it comes to sharing Apple hardware leaks – particularly this early in a rumor cycle. However, I have also seen separate CAD drawings from previously accurate sources that corroborate this camera bar-style design for the iPhone 17 Air.
This would mean that the iPhone 17 Air’s single camera is in the same spot as the cameras on current iPhone models. Previous reporting suggested that the camera would be centered on the back of the device, but that hasn’t been corroborated. The camera’s flash, however, looks to be on the opposite side of the camera bar.
If the iPhone 17 Air features this camera bar design, that could be why Kuo specifically said the device would be 5.5mm thick at its “thinnest part.” The device will obviously be thicker at the top if you account for the “hump” of the camera bar.
With all of that said, we are still eight months away from Apple unveiling the iPhone 17 Air. There is still time for Apple to change the iPhone 17 Air’s design. Apple is likely prototyping multiple different design options and could ultimately choose to go a different route with the iPhone 17 Air’s design.
Keep up with all the latest iPhone 17 Air rumors in our dedicated guide.
My favorite iPhone accessories:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
