Rumors about the iPhone 17 Slim: What is known so far

With the Mini and models of iPhones not achieving remarkable sales, Apple is reportedly developing its slimmest iPhone to date, referred to as the fourth variant.

Tentatively named the iPhone 17 Slim, this ultra-thin device may ultimately be branded as the iPhone Air, aligning with Apple’s trend-setting line of sleek MacBooks and iPads.

At this stage, details about the phone are limited, but here’s what we currently know about the iPhone 17 Slim, along with some features we hope to see.

iPhone 17 Slim: Anticipated Price and Launch Date

Historically, Apple has released its numbered iPhones in September, except the iPhone 12, which debuted in October due to the pandemic. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that the iPhone 17 Slim will be unveiled in September 2025, unless there are delays or it is ultimately canceled.

Estimating the price is more challenging. Although it is rumored to replace the ‘Plus’ variant, it may be overly optimistic to expect it to start at the $899 price point of the iPhone 15 Plus.

Reports suggest that this new model could exceed the cost of the Pro Max, which currently begins at $1,199. This would position the standard iPhone 17 as the most affordable option, especially in the absence of Mini or Plus models.

iPhone 17 Slim: Design and Display

As indicated by its name, the iPhone 17 Slim is expected to be exceptionally thin. While specific dimensions are not yet available, the aluminum frame is anticipated to be “significantly thinner,” suggesting a device that could considerably surpass the iPhone 15’s depth of 7.8mm.

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg suggests that this device is poised to belong to “a new class of Apple products that should be the thinnest and lightest in the entire tech sector.” This raises the possibility that it could surpass the 2024 iPad Air, which measures 6.1mm, or even the 2024 iPad Pro at 5.3mm.

The sleek design is expected to feature a 6.6-inch OLED display, which is just slightly smaller than the 6.7-inch screen of the iPhone 15 Plus. Additionally, it may include other high-end features, such as a reduced hole and pill-shaped cutout for the Dynamic Island.

An intriguing detail is that the cameras might be positioned at the top center of the device, a shift from the traditional top left placement seen in previous models.

iPhone 17 Slim: Performance and Cameras

In terms of specifications, the iPhone 17 Slim is anticipated to fall between the standard iPhone 17 and the more advanced Pro variants. It is expected to be equipped with Apple’s forthcoming 3nm A19 chipset and will likely include 8GB of RAM, which is 2GB more than the current iPhone 15.

The OLED display is also rumored to support the 120Hz ProMotion technology that Apple has typically reserved for its Pro models.

While these features sound impressive, one aspect that may align it more closely with the standard iPhone is the camera setup. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that this model will feature a single 48MP rear camera, as opposed to the usual two or three, which could be a strategy by Apple to maintain a slim profile.

iPhone 17 Slim: Our Expectations

Overall, the prospects appear quite encouraging, but there are certain aspects we hope will not be compromised in the pursuit of extreme thinness…

Reliable battery performance

Concerns regarding a sleek design often lead to the assumption that battery capacity will be compromised. While iPhones are not renowned for having the longest battery life, the latest models have demonstrated commendable performance, with the iPhone 15 series achieving between 10 hours and 53 minutes to 13 hours and 14 minutes in our testing scenarios.

Despite the introduction of a more efficient chipset, some reduction in battery life seems unavoidable. However, as long as the performance remains above the eight-hour threshold, it would not be considered a major issue. Should the battery life fall below this level, Apple will need to consider implementing charging speeds that exceed the 40W currently anticipated for the iPhone 16 Pro.

Satisfactory camera capabilities

As previously noted, the iPhone 17 Slim is expected to feature a single 48MP camera.

This configuration will inherently offer less versatility compared to the triple-lens setup of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it does not necessarily indicate inferior quality. Early models of the Google Pixel were among the top contenders in the smartphone camera market, even with just one lens, demonstrating that effective image processing can significantly enhance photo quality.

We are optimistic that the iPhone 17 Slim will deliver impressive images in both bright and dim lighting conditions, even if it may not be the first choice for serious photographers when considering upgrades.

Ample storage options

If the iPhone 17 Slim aligns with the high price point suggested by initial rumors, Apple must ensure that it does not compromise on internal storage capacity.

The base model of the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with 256GB of storage, which would be inadequate if this new model is indeed set to be the priciest device Apple has ever launched.

However, if the hypothetical iPhone 17 Slim starts with 512GB of storage at a significantly elevated price, consumers may question the absence of a more affordable 256GB variant. Thus, this scenario may not be very likely after all.

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