Companies are striving to bring forth smartphone innovations to make their mark and become the leader in the industry. However, with the competition intensifying, it seems like the boundaries between inspiration and imitation are blurring. This is especially true with the approach Infinix seems to take with its new device by mirroring Apple's iPhone 17 Air, even before it has been officially announced. The rumored iPhone 17 Air concept has already garnered quite the attention for its dramatically slim and lightweight design, sporting trimmed-down bezels and a new chassis. Now, the concept that has not even made it to the stage yet is already being cloned.
Infinix mimics iPhone 17 Air concept – even before Apple unveils it
A new development that is both amusing and telling has come forward, where Infinix seems to be acting on concepts by drawing inspiration from Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air months before the Cupertino giant has even officially announced the much-anticipated device. This moment of mimicry was pointed out in a viral post on X by tipster Ben Geskin, who shared an image of the Infinix phone that looked strikingly similar to the renders of the iPhone 17 Air.
What sparked even more debate was a cheeky comment left by well-known tech insider Max Jambor on the post summing up the imitation. Although it was a simple line, it highlighted how the Chinese companies quickly take on ideas, even when they are merely ideas. Jambor said:
iPhone 17 Air is not even out yet, and the Chinese are already copying it.
If we look at the pictures shared in the post, it gives us a clear side-by-side comparison, and even at first glance, the resemblance is uncanny. The iPhone 17 Air is said to be the tech giant's lightest and thinnest phone yet, taking inspiration from its own iPad Air lineup. The Infinix phone, on the other hand, can be seen echoing the same clean aesthetics that Apple is known for by bringing razor-thin edges, a minimal rear panel, and a refined ultra-thin model.
While Apple has officially confirmed nothing, it is quite surprising to see Chinese manufacturers building on a vision, and it also tells of the current tech landscape. So, it is one thing to copy a product, but another to take on from a simple concept. While Infinix's move does invite mockery, if we see the approach, it could be a bold business strategy to take on design that sells - and in a market where the real iPhone is getting out of budget for many. By introducing a similar premium look at a fraction of the price, who knows, the brand could even end up establishing itself as an alternative.
Nonetheless, imitations may help gain attention in the short term, but to build true identity, companies need to focus on originality and innovation and not trade off buzz with user loyalty. What makes this situation interesting is Apple's influence on the entire smartphone industry and how a rumored concept can start a ripple effect in design, strongly emphasizing how it is still leading the way.
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