There are still more than four months left until the presentation of Apple's new smartphone line. At least. However, this does not prevent insiders from already demonstrating mock-ups of the expected iPhone 17 line models, which, among other things, should include a truly new device - the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air.
The AppleTrack YouTube channel shows off all four models that are set to arrive this spring in a new video: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The former doesn't have any major exterior changes, while both Pro versions are expected to feature larger camera units and improved telephoto capabilities.
But the iPhone 17 Air will be the star novelty of this fall. As the video host Sam Cole notes, such a smartphone feels much thinner than it seems in the video. Its body is almost half as thin as the current iPhone 16 Pro (pictured above). Even the USB-C port could not be centered, because the internal construction and placement of display components can banally prevent the port itself from being placed in the center of the panel. Also, the buttons occupy almost the entire width of the side panels. And not because these are large keys - the panels are thin.
At the same time, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to have a 6.6-inch display with a Dynamic Island notch. By the way, judging by the mockups, this will not change the dimensions, as previously reported. The mockups also did not show significant changes in the construction of the cases of other models, which was also mentioned by some insiders.
Separately, the author of the video noted the smaller number of speaker openings. Of course, in a thin case there is not as much space for such elements as in larger smartphones. So it is quite possible that the sound will be simpler.
And the biggest limitation will still be only one main camera, like in the iPhone 16e.
Meanwhile, 9to5Mac, citing Digitimes (paywall), reports that the iPhone 17 Air has passed the first stage of the production process. There are four in total: Engineering Validation Test, Design Validation Test, Product Validation Test, and, finally, mass production.
This way, the manufacturer has already made sure that they can produce a new product, while also outlining the potentially complex links and challenges that may arise in the process. But there is still a lot of work ahead before mass production.
Also, according to Digitimes, Apple sold 218 million smartphones in 2024, which was the fourth consecutive year of sales decline. And as suppliers note, "overall, according to conservative estimates, iPhone sales in 2025 will decline rather than increase, with the decline ranging from single digits to 10%." That is, sales are expected to be at the level of 200 million units.