A new report from Front Page Tech claims Apple will introduce a dramatically thinner iPhone in 2025 under the name “iPhone Air,” replacing the iPhone 17 Plus in the upcoming lineup. The device is said to measure only 5.5mm in thickness, making it Apple’s thinnest smartphone to date. According to the leak, this model will retain a large 6.6-inch OLED display, now upgraded to 120Hz—marking the end of 60Hz panels in non-Pro iPhones. Despite its slim design, the iPhone Air will reportedly ship with 12GB of RAM and the new Apple A19 chip. It will also feature only one rear camera: a 48MP sensor that will rely on computational photography and digital cropping to replicate multi-camera functionality.

Internal changes are expected to compensate for the physical constraints imposed by the device’s extreme thinness. A higher-density silicon anode battery may be used to maximize capacity within the limited space. Apple has also developed a new in-house modem—branded C1—which should reduce power consumption. Combined with the efficiency gains of the A19 chip, the company aims to maintain typical battery performance for this class of device. However, due to the form factor, battery life could still fall short of the iPhone 17 and Pro models under heavy use.

The iPhone Air will not use the Pro-class A19 Pro chip, but the base A19 model is expected to be sufficient for typical users and required to support Apple Intelligence features. The 12GB RAM configuration aligns with hardware requirements for on-device AI workloads, and marks a notable upgrade over prior base models. The USB-C port will remain but is said to sit closer to the rear shell of the phone due to internal rearrangement. There will be no telephoto or ultra-wide modules—Apple appears to be eliminating those in this variant to save space and reduce production costs.

Pricing will fall between the base iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro, roughly aligned with where the Plus model currently sits. Although early rumours suggested a 1300 USD price tag, FPT now says those reports were incorrect. The iPhone Air will reportedly target mainstream users who value design and visual distinctiveness over multi-camera versatility. Apple is likely to market it as a high-status alternative to both the base and Pro variants. With production expected to begin soon, the iPhone Air could mark a shift toward simplified, thinner hardware in Apple’s long-term strategy—especially if strong sales confirm demand for a pared-down but visually distinct iPhone.

While the details appear consistent with Apple’s typical development cycle, all information remains unconfirmed and based on well-informed but unofficial sources. “Speculative And Largely Tentative” (salt).

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Sebastian Jankowski – Proofreader and tech writer – 17 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025

A heavy PC user since 1989, I’ve experienced every stage—8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit—through the early console years. The Oculus revolution pulled me into VR, leading me to open my own VR arcade. My classic education was complemented by a daily deep dive into PC hardware and software news. With over 20 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry—spanning major financial and administrative firms—I now primarily work as a freelance writer and IT consultant. Based in the UK, I live with my family.