- The ‘product introduction phase’ has started
- Design changes are predicted for the iPhone 17 Air
- Apple is still exploring the idea of an iPhone Fold
It could be the most interesting model in the iPhone 17 series, and it could be the thinnest iPhone ever – and now the iPhone 17 Air (or is it the iPhone 17 Slim?) has officially gone into production, according to a new report .
According to DigiTimes (via MacRumors) the iPhone 17 Air has now officially entered the ‘product introduction phase’ at Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturer that assembles many gadgets for Apple.
It means pilot production runs can begin, alongside design validation and prototype testing. It’s a precursor to the device’s upcoming mass production, putting it on track for a debut in September next year.
We do not get much more information about the iPhone 17 Air from this report, but DigiTimes once again links to a possible foldable iPhone. If Apple can successfully produce a super-thin iPhone, it will also help in the development of a foldable model.
Squeezing space
The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be just 6mm thick, making it considerably slimmer than the iPhone 16 Plus it supposedly replaces – that phone measures a relatively thick 7.8mm from front to back.
Sources have suggested that the phone will come with a single rear camera, located at the top center. The device may also be too thin for a SIM card slot, so it will rely entirely on eSIM technology.
There are obvious challenges to making a super slim iPhone, like managing to fit all the necessary circuitry into it without it overheating. The experience with manufacturing the various iPads will undoubtedly serve Apple well here.
Whatever Apple has planned for the iPhone 17 Air, it should launch sometime in September 2025 along with three other iPhone 17 models. Before then, we should get the launch of the iPhone SE 4.