According to reports, Apple plans to add a “Air” model to its roster of iPhones with the September 2025 introduction of the iPhone 17 series. With the potential to be 2 mm thinner than existing versions, the iPhone 17 Air seeks to embody innovation and slimness, over 20 years after Steve Jobs originally introduced the “Air” name with the MacBook Air. Additionally, this design may open the door for future folding iPads and iPhones.
In an attempt to lessen its dependency on Qualcomm, Apple is expected to include its proprietary cellular modem, dubbed Sinope, in the iPhone 17 Air. In the spring of 2025, the low-cost iPhone SE may be the first to use this modem. Additionally, it is unclear if the iPhone 17 Air will come with Apple’s proprietary Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, which the company is developing and may be included in the iPhone 17 series.
Although the most recent iPad Air with M2 processor, which comes in two sizes, is no longer the thinnest tablet in the lineup, the branding has since made its way to the iPad. The seventh-generation iPad Pro with M4, which is even thinner—the 13-inch device measures only 5.1 mm—has replaced it. Nevertheless, the iPad Air offers high-end functionality at a comparatively lower cost, making it a good compromise. Perhaps that is what the air represents now. But we’re getting off topic.
As a crucial part of Apple’s future product strategy, the new Air model carries on the company’s tradition of utilizing the “Air” moniker to communicate innovation and sleekness.
Source: The Financial Express
