Apple is set to launch the iPhone 17 Air this year as part of its four-device lineup, replacing the iPhone 16 Plus with a much thinner model.
Rumored to be just 6.25 millimeters thick — or possibly even 5.5 millimeters, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo — the iPhone 17 Air will be the thinnest iPhone ever.
It will also be among the slimmest devices Apple has ever produced, rivaling the 2024 iPad Pro at 5.1 millimeters.
No Physical SIM Card Slot
To achieve this ultra-thin design, Apple is reportedly removing several components, including the physical SIM card slot.
The iPhone 17 Air will rely entirely on eSIM technology, following Apple's decision to eliminate the physical SIM slot from iPhone 16 models in the U.S. This change is expected to extend to the European market with the iPhone 17 Air, making it the first Apple smartphone in the region to ditch the physical SIM card.
By removing the SIM slot, Apple frees up valuable internal space. The space saved can be used to redesign components like the battery, ensuring it maintains adequate capacity despite the thinner chassis.
In many parts of Europe, most telecom providers already support eSIM technology. Apple’s new design will support multiple eSIM profiles, allowing users to install and manage up to eight eSIMs on the device.
While the lack of a physical SIM slot is a big change, it is not the only feature being streamlined.
The iPhone 17 Air is also rumored to include a less advanced camera system compared to higher-end models. The phone is expected to feature a 48 MP camera with one additional lens, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models will include more advanced dual or triple-lens systems.
This was reported by the magazine Trend.
