Apple iPhone 17 Air Leaks Reveal 5.5mm Slim Design, Pixel-Like Camera Bar, and A19 Chipset

Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is shaping up to be one of the most significant design overhauls in years. Leaked renders of the alleged iPhone 17 Air suggest that Apple is moving towards a fresh aesthetic, featuring a Google Pixel-like horizontal camera bar on the back. This model will replace the Plus variant, bringing a sleeker form factor and potential hardware advancements.

iPhone 17 Air Leaked Design and Features

According to a video by Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech, the iPhone 17 Air could sport a minimalist and ultra-thin body. The leaked images show a design shift that deviates from Apple’s recent iPhone models, aligning more with Google’s Pixel 9 series.

Camera Module: The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to have a pill-shaped camera bar extending across the back. It features a single 48MP primary sensor, accompanied by an LED flash and microphone on the right.

Frame and Buttons: The volume rocker and action button are located on the left side, while the power button sits on the right. The renders also reveal a camera control button, a feature introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro models.

Ultra-Slim Profile: The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be just 5.5mm thick, making it the thinnest iPhone ever, surpassing the 6.9mm iPhone 6 from 2014.

Retaining Dynamic Island: The front of the device still features Dynamic Island, Apple’s software-driven notch replacement introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro.

Differences Between iPhone 17 Air and Pro Models

According to tipster Digital Chat Station, the design approach for the iPhone 17 Air differs from the iPhone 17 Pro, which is rumored to feature a larger, rectangular camera module, similar to some POCO devices. This suggests that Apple is exploring distinct designs for Pro and non-Pro models, possibly to further differentiate the two tiers.

Expected Hardware and Features

The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be powered by the A19 chipset, which could bring significant performance and efficiency improvements.

Apple might introduce e-SIM-only models globally, reducing dependence on physical SIM cards.

Reports suggest that Apple is working on an in-house 5G modem, reducing reliance on Qualcomm’s chips.

Production and Launch Timeline

Leaked reports indicate that the iPhone 17 Air entered the NPI (New Product Introduction) phase at Foxconn’s factory last December, meaning it’s moving closer to mass production. If Apple follows its usual schedule, the iPhone 17 Air should make its official debut at the company’s annual fall event in September 2025.

While Prosser’s track record with Apple leaks has been mixed, past reports and industry trends suggest that a major design overhaul is likely for the iPhone 17 series. Given Apple’s recent shift towards vertical pill-shaped camera islands on the iPhone 16 series, a horizontal camera bar could be the next step in the company’s evolving design philosophy.

Apple enthusiasts can expect more leaks and official hints in the coming months, leading up to the highly anticipated iPhone 17 lineup launch.