Apple is expected to take a different route with the iPhone 17 family later this year, as it is the first time that the company will unveil a model with the ‘Air’ moniker. As the name suggests, this version will be the thinnest of the four, with the latest pricing information speculating that the technology giant could effectively replace the iPhone 17 Plus in favor of the iPhone 17 Air. Unfortunately, the sleek form factor could mean that Apple will make a few compromises, but on the plus side, this device will reportedly flaunt surprisingly satisfactory battery life.
New details hint that the iPhone 17 Air will go down the iPhone 16e route to deliver improved runtime, but the actual capacity is not mentioned
While the exact battery capacity was not mentioned in Mark Gurman’s ‘Power On’ newsletter, MacRumors reports that the iPhone 17 Air might start from $899, which is the same price as the iPhone 16 Plus’ base model. The report does not mention if Apple’s sleek flagship will overshadow the iPhone 17 Plus. Since we have yet to hear concrete information about the iPhone 16 Plus successor, it is more than possible that the iPhone 17 Air will be positioned as its replacement, but it is expected to arrive with some watered-down features.
For instance, it could lack an ultrawide-angle camera, but that will give it more room for a bigger battery, much like what happened with the iPhone 16e. Also, just like Apple’s ‘entry-level’ model, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to ship with the C1 5G modem, and since the baseband chip has been mass produced on TSMC’s 4nm process, it should be efficient enough for the handset to tout a longer runtime. Gurman states that the iPhone 17 Air’s endurance will be ‘on par with current iPhones.’
Sadly, he has not explicitly mentioned which model, but if it can last a bit longer than the base iPhone 17, then customers may have a positive reason to fork over $899 for it. There are various software optimizations being carried out that should help improve battery life, and with the addition of Apple’s A19, which will reportedly be mass-manufactured on TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process, the iPhone 17 Air could offer a decent package.
Whether or not the company’s bet on launching sleeker devices will pay off, a fresh design is likely something that customers were clamoring for, and it might become the reason why iPhone shipments pick up in the third quarter this year.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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