The ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air is expected to cost less than the iPhone 17 Pro. Its price may even match that of the iPhone 16 Plus.
Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that the iPhone 17 Air will be cheaper than the iPhone 17 Pro, which contradicts earlier rumors that the new ultra-thin iPhone would be priced even higher than the iPhone Pro Max.
In a recent report, the Wall Street Journal shared more details about the long-discussed iPhone. According to an inside source, Apple plans to launch an iPhone starting in 2025 that is about 8 mm thinner than current models.
"This version of the iPhone is designed to be priced below the Pro models and comes with a simpler camera system to cut costs," the Wall Street Journal said.
The information differs from earlier reports. In May 2024, The Information revealed that the device could be priced higher than the iPhone Pro Max, currently Apple's most expensive model with a starting price of $1,200.
According to 9to5Mac, if the iPhone 17 Air goes on sale at a price above the iPhone Pro Max, it would have to cost at least $1,199, and possibly as much as $1,299.
"A thinner iPhone with fewer features, reduced battery life and only one camera doesn't seem worth it. The product will look appealing and could pave the way for even thinner iPhones in the future, but the reasons to buy it still aren't convincing enough," 9to5Mac commented.
Still, if the new reports are accurate, buyers can expect the iPhone 17 Air to cost less than the iPhone 17 Pro.
In fact, if the iPhone 17 Pro line sees no price increase, the iPhone 17 Air could start at $899, the same as the iPhone 16 Plus.
Apple may be hoping that the attractive price will draw in consumers. It would also be the first iPhone in years with a design that differs noticeably from its predecessor.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 model (tentatively called the iPhone 17 Air) is expected to launch later this year, measuring just 5.5 mm at its thinnest point.
If the information is accurate, the iPhone 17 Air will become Apple's thinnest smartphone ever, surpassing the record set by the iPhone 6 (6.9 mm). For comparison, 5.5 mm is about 30% thinner than the iPhone 6/6 Plus and 33% thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro/16 Pro Max.
Kuo stressed that the 5.5 mm figure is measured at the thinnest point, which means the rear camera module will likely protrude. According to rumors, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to have just a single 48 MP rear camera.
Source: ZNews
