iPhone 17 model 'leak' suggests huge changes to Apple's flagship product
A trusts Apple analyst has leaked what he thinks could be the next flagship model of Apple's iPhone.
It feels like only yesterday that Apple released the latest iPhone, and well, that's because it pretty much was. Ushering in a new artificial intelligence-powered future for the tech giant, the iPhone 16 is the first flagship phone to make the most of iOS 18 and the innovation of Apple Intelligence. Sadly, as one Supreme's powers fade, a new one rises. Although we're all expecting the iPhone 17 to launch at a similar time next year, a new 'leak' has potentially shown off what we can expect.
While we went through a period of iPhones getting bigger and bigger as portable Netflix devices, the days of the supersized iPhone Max could be behind us.
According to Veteran Apple analyst Mark Gurman's Power One newsletter (via Phone Arena), there could be an 'iPhone 17 Air' or 'iPhone 17 Slim' to go alongside the traditional models. If true, Apple could be taking a leaf out of Sony's book, with the gaming Goliath releasing 'Slim' versions of its beefy PlayStation models.
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Gurman suggests the 2025 iPhone range will include a 'mid-tier offering at a great price, for people who don't need the most impressive specifications.'
This comes after previous leaks claimed the iPhone 17 Air would feature a 6.6-inch display and come in at around 6 mm thick. Compare this to the iPhone 16 range, it means the mythical iPhone 17 Air would be around 25% slimmer than its predecessors.
If true, you might have to compromise in the camera department. Instead of the iPhone 16 Pro Max's three cameras, the iPhone 17 Air might include a 24-megapixel camera on the front and only one 48-megapixel camera on the rear.
It’s a bold move, but Gurman isn't convinced that an iPhone Air range will be a success. While capitalizing on the success of the Macbook Air seems like sound business sense, he points us toward the failure of the iPhone Mini.
You might remember when the iPhone 12 Mini launched in 2020, but with the Pros being far more popular, Gurman is worried the slimmer Air will go the same way:
"I’m not sure this strategy will translate from laptops to phones. I predict the “iPhone Air” will suffer the same fate as the mini and Plus lines. In my opinion, the only alternative iPhone that will sell well is a foldable."
The idea of a folding iPhone is definitely one that would push the brand in a different direction. The likes of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and OnePlus Open prove the competition can do it, and do it well, but will Apple really take the gamble on a folding phone after the disaster of the Vision Pro?
Remembering reports that Apple is developing TWO foldable phones in 2026, the iPhone 17 could be the last of the old guard before we move into a foldable future. Suddenly, it feels like we're back in 2004 with a Motorola Razr in our hands.