August 11, 2025 • 18 mins
Apple is about to shake up the smartphone world with the iPhone 17 Air, a device so impossibly thin it challenges everything we thought we knew about flagship phone design. At a mere 5.5 millimeters thick and weighing just 145 grams, this revolutionary device isn't just an iteration—it's a completely new direction for Apple, replacing the Plus model with something far more ambitious and polarizing.
The Air earns its name through more than just marketing. This featherlight device is actually thinner than the current iPad Pro, featuring a stunning titanium-aluminum frame that's as premium as it is portable. The most distinctive visual element is the horizontal camera bar stretching across the entire width—a complete departure from the triangular camera arrangement we've grown accustomed to. With exclusive color options including a MacBook-inspired sky blue, the 17 Air establishes itself as a product category all its own.
What makes this phone truly fascinating is the set of trade-offs Apple has engineered. You'll get a "Goldilocks" 6.6-inch display with ProMotion's 120Hz refresh rate—a first for non-Pro iPhones—but you'll make do with a single (albeit powerful) 48-megapixel camera relying heavily on computational photography. The A19 Pro chip and 12GB RAM ensure flagship performance, yet battery life could be the Achilles' heel, with capacity below 3,000mAh potentially leaving 30-40% of users searching for a charger before day's end. The irony of Apple potentially offering a battery case—adding bulk to a device whose primary selling point is thinness—perfectly encapsulates the paradox at the heart of this device.
The iPhone 17 Air isn't for everyone, and that's precisely the point. Priced around $949, it targets those who value elegance and portability above all else—people willing to make certain compromises for the sheer joy of holding something revolutionary. As this groundbreaking device prepares for its September debut, the question isn't whether you want it, but whether you're willing to compromise for it. What trade-offs would you make for the ultimate thin design? The answer reveals what you truly value in the technology you carry every day.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Allan (00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
Today, we're really zeroing inon something that's got the tech
world absolutely buzzing.
It's Apple's next big thing,the iPhone 17 series.
But we're not just talkingabout the usual updates.
Ida (00:13):
No, not at all.
Allan (00:14):
We're diving into the well, the unexpected star that
seems to be stealing the show,that's the iPhone 17 Air.
Ida (00:21):
That's right and it's getting attention not just from,
you know, the usual Apple crowd, but pretty much anyone
interested in where phones areheading.
Allan (00:28):
Exactly.
Ida (00:29):
This isn't just a minor tweak.
The word is the iPhone 17 Airis actually replacing the Pluses
model Right, and all the leaksare calling it this super slim
edition that's apparently raisedthe most excitement.
It feels like a really boldmove for Apple, doesn't it?
Maybe even a shift in how theythink about design.
Allan (00:46):
It really does, and that's basically our mission
today.
Let's unpack what makes thisphone feel so different.
You know from this reallyradical design to well the
compromises that might come withit.
We want to look at this fromyour angle, as the person
actually using it.
What's it going to feel like inyour hand?
How might it change how you useyour phone every day?
Ida (01:06):
Yeah, the practical side of it.
Allan (01:08):
And if you're already thinking about it, the rumors
point to a keynote around what?
September 9th.
Ida (01:13):
Yeah, september 9th, and pre-orders may be kicking off
September 12th and hittingshelves just a week later,
september 19th, so not too faroff, potentially.
And if we're talking radicalshifts, I mean the number one
thing everyone's talking aboutwith the 17-air is just how
incredibly thin it's supposed tobe.
Allan (01:30):
Okay, yeah, let's get into that thinness, because the
numbers I've seen floatingaround seem well, pretty
remarkable.
How thin are we actuallytalking here compared to, you
know, phones now, or even olderiPhones?
Ida (01:44):
Well, potentially we're looking at just 5.5 millimeters
thick front to back, wow, which,yeah, would easily make it the
thinnest iPhone ever.
Allan (01:52):
Okay, put that in context for us.
Ida (01:54):
Sure.
So you know the Samsung GalaxyS25 Edge.
That's pretty new, prettypopular reportedly.
Allan (02:00):
Right, I've seen that one .
Ida (02:01):
That's 5.8 millimeters, so the Air would be even slimmer
than that.
And remember the old iPhone 6,the one that had all the Bengate
talk.
Allan (02:10):
Oh yeah, definitely remember that.
Ida (02:11):
That was 6.9 millimeters, so significantly thinner.
And get this it's almost asthin as the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro.
Allan (02:19):
The new iPad Pro seriously.
Ida (02:21):
Yeah, that iPad is 5.4 millimeters, so we're talking
really, really thin for a phone.
It's not just shaving off alittle bit, it feels like a
whole new form factor.
Plus they're saying it couldweigh around 145 grams.
Allan (02:34):
Okay, that's light, like iPhone SE Lite or the 13 mini.
Ida (02:37):
Exactly Super light.
Imagine holding that.
Allan (02:39):
That does sound almost impossibly thin for a phone.
But doesn't that immediatelybring up a big question, like
the whole air idea Are theymaking it super thin just for
the sake of it, even if it makesit less practical day to day?
Ida (02:51):
You've hit the nail on the head there.
That's the core design paradox,isn't?
Allan (02:54):
it Right.
Ida (02:55):
The main body is, yeah, super sleek at 5.5 millimeter,
but then you've got the camerabump where the lenses actually
are.
Allan (03:01):
Ah, the bump, Always the bump.
Ida (03:03):
And that part would reportedly make it 9.5
millimeters thick right there.
Allan (03:07):
Okay, so quite a difference.
Ida (03:09):
It really shows Apple's prioritizing that feeling of
thinness for the main body, evenif it means, well, a pretty
chunky bit sticking out.
Allan (03:18):
And that affects things right, Like putting it down on a
table.
Ida (03:20):
Exactly, it'll wobble or maybe catching in your pocket.
It kind of challenges that ideaof a perfectly seamless design,
all in the name of being thethinnest.
Allan (03:30):
So thinnest iPhone ever, but maybe not the flattest or
most balanced.
That's a really interestingtrade off.
What about the look and feelotherwise?
Is it just thin, or does itactually look different too?
Ida (03:42):
Oh, it looks totally different from the back.
Based on these leaks,Apparently it will look unlike
any other iPhone from the back.
Allan (03:49):
How so.
Ida (03:50):
Well, forget the usual triangle camera layout.
You see on the Pro and standardmodels.
Allan (03:55):
Okay.
Ida (03:55):
The rumor is a horizontal camera panel that stretches
right across the width of thephone.
Allan (04:00):
Oh, like a Pixel phone or that old Nexus 6P.
Ida (04:03):
Exactly like those.
It gives the Air this reallydistinct identity, you know,
sets it apart visually and it'sstill supposed to feel premium.
They're talking about atitanium, aluminum alloy metal
frame.
Allan (04:15):
Okay, so sturdy build quality.
Ida (04:17):
Yeah, premium and sturdy.
The titanium is supposedlythere to help keep it stiff,
light and resist bending, whichis obviously a concern when you
go this thin.
Yeah, Apple's really leaninginto that Air brand.
Allan (04:29):
And the colors, too right I heard they might be exclusive
to the Air Helps make it feelspecial.
Ida (04:33):
Absolutely.
The chatter is black, a uniquewhite, a light gold and this
very specific light blue.
Allan (04:41):
Light blue like the MacBook Air.
Ida (04:44):
Supposedly just like the sky blue color from the M4
MacBook Air, see Reinforcingthat whole air connection.
Allan (04:50):
Clever.
Ida (04:51):
And even tiny details seem geared towards this thinness,
like the USB-C port might not beperfectly centered.
Allan (04:57):
Really.
Ida (04:57):
Yeah, and the speaker grills simplified to just two
holes on either side of the portinstead of the usual five
Little things to make it all fit.
But don't worry, you still getthe important stuff like IP68,
water and dust resistance.
Allan (05:09):
Okay, good.
Ida (05:10):
And the action button and a camera control button are
supposedly still there too.
Allan (05:13):
All right, so the outside is getting a major makeover.
Let's peek inside now.
What about the screen you'll belooking at all day and the
cameras Heard?
The display size is hitting akind of sweet spot.
Ida (05:24):
Yeah, they're calling it the Goldilocks display, and for
good reason, it seems.
Ribber is a 6.6-inch OLEDscreen.
Allan (05:32):
Okay, 6.6.
So bigger than the standard,smaller than the Max.
Ida (05:36):
Exactly right between the standard and Pro Max sizes, the
idea being, you know thestandard can feel a bit small
for watching videos or gettingstuff done, but the Pro Max is
just too big for some people'shands.
Allan (05:47):
Makes sense.
Ida (05:48):
So 6.6 inches could be that just right size More screen,
but hopefully still manageable.
Apparently it was going to beeven bigger, like 6.9 inches,
but they supposedly scaled itback because of those bending
worries we talked about.
Allan (06:00):
Ah, okay.
Now the big one for a lot ofpeople, promotion is that 120
hertz refresh rate finallycoming to a non-pro iPhone,
because that smoothness makessuch a difference.
Ida (06:13):
That's the really exciting bit.
The leaks are pointing stronglytowards yes, 120 hertz for the
iPhone 17 Air.
Allan (06:19):
Yeah so.
Ida (06:20):
For you that means things like scrolling animations, just
moving around the interface.
It'll all feel much smoother,much more responsive.
Allan (06:28):
Definitely a pro feature trickling down.
Ida (06:30):
It is.
It's a big deal for the userexperience.
But there's a little caveat, anuance.
Some leaks suggest it won'tsupport the fully adaptive
refresh rate that goes all theway down to 1 hertz, like the
pros do, meaning the always ondisplay might not be quite as
feature rich or maybe not aspower efficient as it is on the
(06:50):
pro models.
Allan (06:52):
Ah, okay, so you get the 120 hertz smoothness.
Ida (06:55):
Yeah.
Allan (06:55):
But maybe not the super efficient.
Always on Something to thinkabout, depending on how much you
use that.
Ida (07:01):
Exactly.
It's a detail that you knowpower users might notice more.
Allan (07:04):
Right.
Okay, on to the cameras.
With all this focus on beingthin, how are they handling the
camera system Sounds like maybea different approach.
Ida (07:13):
It's a very different approach.
The reports say the iPhone 17Air will have just one camera on
the back, just one really.
A 48 megapixel main sensor,probably similar to the one
expected in the regular iPhone16.
But the insight here isn't justthe number of cameras.
It seems Apple's betting big oncomputational photography, you
know, using AI and softwaresmarts to get pro-like shots
(07:36):
from that single lens withoutneeding all the extra hardware
bulk.
Allan (07:40):
So they think software can make up for not having an
ultra wide or a telephoto.
Ida (07:45):
That seems to be the bet they're banking on the idea that
, honestly, most people use themain camera 90% of the time
anyway.
Allan (07:51):
Fair point, can it still zoom?
Ida (07:53):
Yeah, they can still offer that 2x zoom equivalent by just
cropping into the middle part ofthat big 48 megapixel sensor
using the central 12 megapixelsbasically.
Allan (08:03):
Okay, clever workaround, but no spatial video, then, I
guess.
Or true, optical zoom.
Ida (08:08):
Right, no ultra-wide, no dedicated telephoto and probably
no spatial video, unless theyfigure out some new software
trick.
It's definitely a trade-off.
But what about the front camera?
That's becoming more and moreimportant.
Allan (08:18):
Good question.
Any news there?
Figure out some new softwaretrick.
Ida (08:20):
It's definitely a tradeoff.
But what about the front camera?
That's becoming more and moreimportant.
Good question Any news there?
Actually?
Yeah, this is where the Air isrumored to get a major upgrade,
a jump to a 24 megapixelfront-facing camera 24.
Allan (08:27):
Up from 12.
Ida (08:29):
Exactly, that's a massive upgrade.
Think much sharper selfies,better FaceTime calls clearer
video for social media.
Allan (08:38):
That's a big improvement.
Okay, that's definitely a plus.
So sleek design, nice screen,potentially a really good main
camera through software and akiller selfie camera.
What's actually running theshow inside this super thin
phone?
Are they cutting corners onperformance?
Ida (08:52):
Doesn't seem like it, not significantly anyway, Under the
hood it's likely getting the A19Pro chip.
Allan (08:58):
A19 Pro, so next-gen chip .
Ida (09:00):
Yep, Although maybe with one fewer GPU core compared to
the actual Pro models that year.
Still that's going to beincredibly fast and, crucially,
it's expected to have 12 Jubeisof RAM 12 gigs.
Allan (09:12):
That's Pro-level RAM, isn't it?
Ida (09:13):
It is Brings it right up to par with the Pro models, and
that's really important forthings like Apple intelligence
you know Apple's new AI stuffand just better multitasking in
iOS 26.
Allan (09:23):
So it should feel plenty fast and capable, even being so
thin.
What about heat?
Thin phones can sometimes gethot under load.
Ida (09:30):
That's definitely something they need to manage.
And this is where the leaks geta bit fuzzy.
Some sources say all the iPhone17 models will get a proper
vapor chamber heat sink.
That's a pretty advancedcooling system, good for thin
devices.
Allan (09:42):
Okay.
Ida (09:43):
But other sources suggest the air because it's so thin and
cramped.
Might have to use a simplercopper heat sink, maybe like the
M4 iPad Pro.
Allan (09:51):
So maybe not quite as good at cooling as the other 17s
.
Ida (09:54):
Potentially it highlights how these leaks are still
evolving, but either way, theyhave to be thinking about
cooling with that chip in thebody.
Allan (10:02):
Makes sense.
And connectivity Are we finallyseeing Apple use its own modems
in a big way?
They've been working on thatfor ages.
Ida (10:08):
It looks like it.
The iPhone 17 Air is expectedto be one of the first iPhones
rocking an Apple designed C1 5Gmodem chip C1, okay.
Yeah, while the other iPhone 17models might stick with
Qualcomm for now, the big plusfor Apple's chip is supposed to
be power efficiency.
Allan (10:26):
Ah key for the Air's potential battery situation.
Ida (10:29):
Exactly the potential downside, though it might
actually be a bit slower thanQualcomm modems and maybe
limited to sub-6 gigahertzspeeds.
Allan (10:38):
Meaning no super-fast MMWay 5G.
Ida (10:40):
Probably not for the air.
Yeah, that might be reservedfor the pros, at least initially
.
Allan (10:44):
Okay, interesting internal shift.
What about Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?
Any upgrades?
Ida (10:49):
Yep, Wi-Fi 7 is expected.
That would be Apple's firstcustom-designed Wi-Fi chip.
2.
And Bluetooth 5.3.
So more custom silicon chip 2and Bluetooth 5.3.
So more custom silicon Seemslike the focus is on making
everything tightly integratedand more energy efficient, Again
all serving that thin designand likely battery life concerns
.
Allan (11:09):
Gotcha, and you mentioned one more connectivity change
eSIM only globally.
Ida (11:15):
That's a big one.
Yeah, the rumor is the airmight go e-sim only everywhere,
not just in the us like currentmodels wow, okay, that's
convenient for a lot of peoplejust activating digitally for
sure, but for people who travela lot and swap physical sims or
just prefer having that physicalslot, it could be an annoyance.
Allan (11:31):
Definitely a shift I think I read something kind of
weird about the speakerssomething, something missing.
Ida (11:38):
Ah yeah, that's another intriguing, maybe slightly,
concerning design choice.
The leaks suggest no bottomspeaker.
Allan (11:44):
No speaker on the bottom, just the earpiece.
Ida (11:47):
Apparently the earpiece doubling as a mono speaker, mono
audio on an iPhone.
Allan (11:51):
That's surprising.
Apple usually cares a lot aboutsound.
Ida (11:54):
It is surprising.
It would definitely affectstereo sound when you're
watching videos or gamingwithout headphones.
But you know Apple.
If they're doing this, they'veprobably worked hard on software
processing to make that singlespeaker sound as good as
possible.
Still, it's a potentialcompromise to watch out for.
Allan (12:11):
Definitely OK.
We've covered a lot of the coolstuff the design, the screen,
the internals and some definitetradeoffs but now we got to talk
about the elephant in the room,the thing that could make or
break this phone for a lot ofpeople.
Ida (12:23):
Uh-huh, let me guess Battery life.
Allan (12:26):
Bingo, the potential Achilles heel.
This is where things get reallyinteresting and maybe a bit
controversial.
Ida (12:35):
Yeah, this is the big one, and it comes right back to that
design.
Being super slim just meansless room for the battery.
It's physics.
Allan (12:42):
Right.
So what are the leaks sayingabout capacity?
Ida (12:44):
They're suggesting it could be below 3,000 milliamp hours,
maybe around 2,800 or 2,900milliamp hour.
Allan (12:52):
Oof.
That sounds small for a modernflagship Like iPhone 12 small.
Ida (12:58):
Pretty much exactly.
It would be one of the smallestbatteries in a flagship iPhone
in recent memory.
Allan (13:04):
So the obvious worry is it just won't last all day for
most people, right?
How bad could it be compared toother iPhones?
Ida (13:11):
That's the major concern.
Yeah, the rumors say it won'tlast as long as other iphones.
Apparently, apple's owninternal tests found only maybe
60 70 percent of users could getthrough a full day without
needing a charge 60 to 70percent compared to what for
other models compared to usually80 90 for other iphone models,
(13:32):
that's a significant drop wow,yeah, that means a lot more
people will be hunting for acharger mid-afternoon.
Allan (13:36):
That changes how you use your phone.
It absolutely does.
It's a significant drop.
Wow, yeah, that means a lotmore people will be hunting for
a charger mid-afternoon.
Ida (13:38):
That changes how you use your phone.
It absolutely does.
It's a potentially seriouslimitation for a phone that's
supposed to be your main device.
Allan (13:44):
Is there any hope, any counterargument?
Is Apple just going to releasea phone with subpar battery life
?
Ida (13:49):
Well, there is another perspective, Mark Gurman, who's
usually pretty reliable.
He suggested battery life couldactually be on par with current
iPhones.
Really how, with that smallbattery through a combination of
hardware and software tricks?
Basically, apple's bankingheavily on the power
efficiencies and the newprocessors.
(14:10):
Like that a 19 chip okay andalso new adaptive battery
software in iOS 26, powered byApple intelligence.
The idea is the phone learnsyour habits and dynamically
adjust things like performance,screen brightness, maybe even
that 120 Hertz refresh rate, tosave power when you don't need
it hmm, smart battery managementexactly.
(14:30):
Plus, they're likely using avery high density battery
chemistry, maybe even thatadvanced silicon anode battery
technology people have beentalking about.
That tech basically packs moreenergy into the same physical
space.
Allan (14:42):
So lots of clever engineering to try and make up
for the smaller size.
Ida (14:45):
Yeah.
Allan (14:46):
But I also heard about a slightly ironic backup plan.
Ida (14:50):
Huh, you mean the battery case.
Allan (14:52):
Yeah, is that really a thing they might offer?
The?
Ida (14:54):
rumors suggest yes.
A new battery case specificallyfor the Air is an optional
accessory.
Allan (14:59):
That's kind of funny, isn't it?
They go to all this trouble tomake it incredibly thin.
Ida (15:03):
And then sell you a case to make your thin iPhone thicker,
just so the battery lasts allday.
Allan (15:09):
It perfectly sums up the whole compromise, doesn't it?
Ida (15:11):
It really does.
Oh, and for charging itself,MagSafe is still expected, which
is good for aligning properlyfor wireless charging.
Wired charging speeds probablystay at 35W, but wireless
charging with the newer Q2standard chargers could maybe
hit 25W, which is up from 15Wnow, so a bit faster wirelessly
potentially.
Allan (15:31):
All right, let's try and wrap our heads around this.
All these features, the radicaldesign, the clear compromises,
who is this phone actually forand what's it going to cost?
Ida (15:40):
Price-wise, the early guesses are hovering around $949
.
Allan (15:45):
Okay, so not cheap.
Is that more or less than thePro?
Ida (15:48):
It seems like it might reflect a small like $50 price
bump across the whole iPhone 17line.
There was some back and forth,but the latest info suggests it
will be less expensive than theactual iPhone 17 Pro models.
Allan (16:00):
So still premium pricing, but sitting below the top pro
tier, which brings us back towho buys this paradoxical device
.
It's not really a pro.
That is definitely not thebasic model either.
Ida (16:12):
That's the million dollar question, isn't it?
And it kind of reveals Apple'sstrategy.
I think this phone is a paradox.
Allan (16:19):
Yeah.
Ida (16:20):
You get that super premium, incredibly thin design.
You get the upgraded frontcamera, maybe the high refresh
rate screen.
But, you lose cameras, you losebattery capacity, maybe even
some audio quality.
It seems like Apple is bettingon a new kind of consumer.
Allan (16:36):
Someone who values looks over longevity.
Ida (16:40):
Kind of Someone who values form over function, maybe
Someone who wants the mostelegant iPhone Apple's ever made
and is willing to accept thosecompromises to get it.
They're prioritizing how itfeels to hold that incredibly
thin light device above all else.
Allan (16:55):
Sacrificing some practicality for the ultimate
sleekness.
I bet that's causing somedebate online.
Ida (16:59):
Oh, absolutely.
It's really polarizing.
You see some people sayingthey're very interested.
Maybe they have wrist issues orthey just don't care about
battery because they're alwaysnear a charger.
For them, thin and light is aluxury.
Allan (17:09):
And the other side.
Ida (17:21):
Others are calling it a clear cash grab or saying it's a
product no one asked for,especially with those battery
question marks.
It really shows there isn't oneperfect phone for everyone,
right?
Different needs, differentpriorities.
And hey, maybe it's also astepping stone product for Apple
, a way for them to test outthese super thin designs and
materials before they, you knoweventually launch a foldable
iPhone.
Allan (17:32):
Interesting thought Well, what a deep dive.
This has been the iPhone 17 Air.
Interesting thought Well, whata deep dive.
This has been the iPhone 17 Air.
It's definitely shaping up tobe one of the most intriguing,
maybe controversial, appledevices we've seen in a while
For sure.
Arguably above some corefunctionalities, it feels like
(17:54):
it's designed for a veryspecific person, someone who
thinks yeah, maybe less can bemore.
Ida (17:59):
Yeah.
Allan (18:00):
But only if the right compromises are made.
And that's the big questionmark, isn't it?
Ida (18:03):
It really challenges what we think a flagship phone has to
be.
Does it need three cameras?
Does it need two-day batterylife?
Yeah, or can pure design leadthe way sometimes?
Allan (18:14):
Exactly so.
As we finish up, here'ssomething for you to think about
.
In a world where phones keepgetting more powerful, often
bigger and thicker, whattrade-offs are you personally
willing to make for thatcutting-edge design, for
ultimate portability?
Will this iPhone 17 Airactually redefine what a
flagship can be, or will thosecompromises, especially the
battery, just be too much formost people?
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
Today, we're really zeroing inon something that's got the tech
world absolutely buzzing.
It's Apple's next big thing,the iPhone 17 series.
But we're not just talkingabout the usual updates.
Ida (00:13):
No, not at all.
Allan (00:14):
We're diving into the well, the unexpected star that
seems to be stealing the show,that's the iPhone 17 Air.
Ida (00:21):
That's right and it's getting attention not just from,
you know, the usual Apple crowd, but pretty much anyone
interested in where phones areheading.
Allan (00:28):
Exactly.
Ida (00:29):
This isn't just a minor tweak.
The word is the iPhone 17 Airis actually replacing the Pluses
model Right, and all the leaksare calling it this super slim
edition that's apparently raisedthe most excitement.
It feels like a really boldmove for Apple, doesn't it?
Maybe even a shift in how theythink about design.
Allan (00:46):
It really does, and that's basically our mission
today.
Let's unpack what makes thisphone feel so different.
You know from this reallyradical design to well the
compromises that might come withit.
We want to look at this fromyour angle, as the person
actually using it.
What's it going to feel like inyour hand?
How might it change how you useyour phone every day?
Ida (01:06):
Yeah, the practical side of it.
Allan (01:08):
And if you're already thinking about it, the rumors
point to a keynote around what?
September 9th.
Ida (01:13):
Yeah, september 9th, and pre-orders may be kicking off
September 12th and hittingshelves just a week later,
september 19th, so not too faroff, potentially.
And if we're talking radicalshifts, I mean the number one
thing everyone's talking aboutwith the 17-air is just how
incredibly thin it's supposed tobe.
Allan (01:30):
Okay, yeah, let's get into that thinness, because the
numbers I've seen floatingaround seem well, pretty
remarkable.
How thin are we actuallytalking here compared to, you
know, phones now, or even olderiPhones?
Ida (01:44):
Well, potentially we're looking at just 5.5 millimeters
thick front to back, wow, which,yeah, would easily make it the
thinnest iPhone ever.
Allan (01:52):
Okay, put that in context for us.
Ida (01:54):
Sure.
So you know the Samsung GalaxyS25 Edge.
That's pretty new, prettypopular reportedly.
Allan (02:00):
Right, I've seen that one .
Ida (02:01):
That's 5.8 millimeters, so the Air would be even slimmer
than that.
And remember the old iPhone 6,the one that had all the Bengate
talk.
Allan (02:10):
Oh yeah, definitely remember that.
Ida (02:11):
That was 6.9 millimeters, so significantly thinner.
And get this it's almost asthin as the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro.
Allan (02:19):
The new iPad Pro seriously.
Ida (02:21):
Yeah, that iPad is 5.4 millimeters, so we're talking
really, really thin for a phone.
It's not just shaving off alittle bit, it feels like a
whole new form factor.
Plus they're saying it couldweigh around 145 grams.
Allan (02:34):
Okay, that's light, like iPhone SE Lite or the 13 mini.
Ida (02:37):
Exactly Super light.
Imagine holding that.
Allan (02:39):
That does sound almost impossibly thin for a phone.
But doesn't that immediatelybring up a big question, like
the whole air idea Are theymaking it super thin just for
the sake of it, even if it makesit less practical day to day?
Ida (02:51):
You've hit the nail on the head there.
That's the core design paradox,isn't?
Allan (02:54):
it Right.
Ida (02:55):
The main body is, yeah, super sleek at 5.5 millimeter,
but then you've got the camerabump where the lenses actually
are.
Allan (03:01):
Ah, the bump, Always the bump.
Ida (03:03):
And that part would reportedly make it 9.5
millimeters thick right there.
Allan (03:07):
Okay, so quite a difference.
Ida (03:09):
It really shows Apple's prioritizing that feeling of
thinness for the main body, evenif it means, well, a pretty
chunky bit sticking out.
Allan (03:18):
And that affects things right, Like putting it down on a
table.
Ida (03:20):
Exactly, it'll wobble or maybe catching in your pocket.
It kind of challenges that ideaof a perfectly seamless design,
all in the name of being thethinnest.
Allan (03:30):
So thinnest iPhone ever, but maybe not the flattest or
most balanced.
That's a really interestingtrade off.
What about the look and feelotherwise?
Is it just thin, or does itactually look different too?
Ida (03:42):
Oh, it looks totally different from the back.
Based on these leaks,Apparently it will look unlike
any other iPhone from the back.
Allan (03:49):
How so.
Ida (03:50):
Well, forget the usual triangle camera layout.
You see on the Pro and standardmodels.
Allan (03:55):
Okay.
Ida (03:55):
The rumor is a horizontal camera panel that stretches
right across the width of thephone.
Allan (04:00):
Oh, like a Pixel phone or that old Nexus 6P.
Ida (04:03):
Exactly like those.
It gives the Air this reallydistinct identity, you know,
sets it apart visually and it'sstill supposed to feel premium.
They're talking about atitanium, aluminum alloy metal
frame.
Allan (04:15):
Okay, so sturdy build quality.
Ida (04:17):
Yeah, premium and sturdy.
The titanium is supposedlythere to help keep it stiff,
light and resist bending, whichis obviously a concern when you
go this thin.
Yeah, Apple's really leaninginto that Air brand.
Allan (04:29):
And the colors, too right I heard they might be exclusive
to the Air Helps make it feelspecial.
Ida (04:33):
Absolutely.
The chatter is black, a uniquewhite, a light gold and this
very specific light blue.
Allan (04:41):
Light blue like the MacBook Air.
Ida (04:44):
Supposedly just like the sky blue color from the M4
MacBook Air, see Reinforcingthat whole air connection.
Allan (04:50):
Clever.
Ida (04:51):
And even tiny details seem geared towards this thinness,
like the USB-C port might not beperfectly centered.
Allan (04:57):
Really.
Ida (04:57):
Yeah, and the speaker grills simplified to just two
holes on either side of the portinstead of the usual five
Little things to make it all fit.
But don't worry, you still getthe important stuff like IP68,
water and dust resistance.
Allan (05:09):
Okay, good.
Ida (05:10):
And the action button and a camera control button are
supposedly still there too.
Allan (05:13):
All right, so the outside is getting a major makeover.
Let's peek inside now.
What about the screen you'll belooking at all day and the
cameras Heard?
The display size is hitting akind of sweet spot.
Ida (05:24):
Yeah, they're calling it the Goldilocks display, and for
good reason, it seems.
Ribber is a 6.6-inch OLEDscreen.
Allan (05:32):
Okay, 6.6.
So bigger than the standard,smaller than the Max.
Ida (05:36):
Exactly right between the standard and Pro Max sizes, the
idea being, you know thestandard can feel a bit small
for watching videos or gettingstuff done, but the Pro Max is
just too big for some people'shands.
Allan (05:47):
Makes sense.
Ida (05:48):
So 6.6 inches could be that just right size More screen,
but hopefully still manageable.
Apparently it was going to beeven bigger, like 6.9 inches,
but they supposedly scaled itback because of those bending
worries we talked about.
Allan (06:00):
Ah, okay.
Now the big one for a lot ofpeople, promotion is that 120
hertz refresh rate finallycoming to a non-pro iPhone,
because that smoothness makessuch a difference.
Ida (06:13):
That's the really exciting bit.
The leaks are pointing stronglytowards yes, 120 hertz for the
iPhone 17 Air.
Allan (06:19):
Yeah so.
Ida (06:20):
For you that means things like scrolling animations, just
moving around the interface.
It'll all feel much smoother,much more responsive.
Allan (06:28):
Definitely a pro feature trickling down.
Ida (06:30):
It is.
It's a big deal for the userexperience.
But there's a little caveat, anuance.
Some leaks suggest it won'tsupport the fully adaptive
refresh rate that goes all theway down to 1 hertz, like the
pros do, meaning the always ondisplay might not be quite as
feature rich or maybe not aspower efficient as it is on the
(06:50):
pro models.
Allan (06:52):
Ah, okay, so you get the 120 hertz smoothness.
Ida (06:55):
Yeah.
Allan (06:55):
But maybe not the super efficient.
Always on Something to thinkabout, depending on how much you
use that.
Ida (07:01):
Exactly.
It's a detail that you knowpower users might notice more.
Allan (07:04):
Right.
Okay, on to the cameras.
With all this focus on beingthin, how are they handling the
camera system Sounds like maybea different approach.
Ida (07:13):
It's a very different approach.
The reports say the iPhone 17Air will have just one camera on
the back, just one really.
A 48 megapixel main sensor,probably similar to the one
expected in the regular iPhone16.
But the insight here isn't justthe number of cameras.
It seems Apple's betting big oncomputational photography, you
know, using AI and softwaresmarts to get pro-like shots
(07:36):
from that single lens withoutneeding all the extra hardware
bulk.
Allan (07:40):
So they think software can make up for not having an
ultra wide or a telephoto.
Ida (07:45):
That seems to be the bet they're banking on the idea that
, honestly, most people use themain camera 90% of the time
anyway.
Allan (07:51):
Fair point, can it still zoom?
Ida (07:53):
Yeah, they can still offer that 2x zoom equivalent by just
cropping into the middle part ofthat big 48 megapixel sensor
using the central 12 megapixelsbasically.
Allan (08:03):
Okay, clever workaround, but no spatial video, then, I
guess.
Or true, optical zoom.
Ida (08:08):
Right, no ultra-wide, no dedicated telephoto and probably
no spatial video, unless theyfigure out some new software
trick.
It's definitely a trade-off.
But what about the front camera?
That's becoming more and moreimportant.
Allan (08:18):
Good question.
Any news there?
Figure out some new softwaretrick.
Ida (08:20):
It's definitely a tradeoff.
But what about the front camera?
That's becoming more and moreimportant.
Good question Any news there?
Actually?
Yeah, this is where the Air isrumored to get a major upgrade,
a jump to a 24 megapixelfront-facing camera 24.
Allan (08:27):
Up from 12.
Ida (08:29):
Exactly, that's a massive upgrade.
Think much sharper selfies,better FaceTime calls clearer
video for social media.
Allan (08:38):
That's a big improvement.
Okay, that's definitely a plus.
So sleek design, nice screen,potentially a really good main
camera through software and akiller selfie camera.
What's actually running theshow inside this super thin
phone?
Are they cutting corners onperformance?
Ida (08:52):
Doesn't seem like it, not significantly anyway, Under the
hood it's likely getting the A19Pro chip.
Allan (08:58):
A19 Pro, so next-gen chip .
Ida (09:00):
Yep, Although maybe with one fewer GPU core compared to
the actual Pro models that year.
Still that's going to beincredibly fast and, crucially,
it's expected to have 12 Jubeisof RAM 12 gigs.
Allan (09:12):
That's Pro-level RAM, isn't it?
Ida (09:13):
It is Brings it right up to par with the Pro models, and
that's really important forthings like Apple intelligence
you know Apple's new AI stuffand just better multitasking in
iOS 26.
Allan (09:23):
So it should feel plenty fast and capable, even being so
thin.
What about heat?
Thin phones can sometimes gethot under load.
Ida (09:30):
That's definitely something they need to manage.
And this is where the leaks geta bit fuzzy.
Some sources say all the iPhone17 models will get a proper
vapor chamber heat sink.
That's a pretty advancedcooling system, good for thin
devices.
Allan (09:42):
Okay.
Ida (09:43):
But other sources suggest the air because it's so thin and
cramped.
Might have to use a simplercopper heat sink, maybe like the
M4 iPad Pro.
Allan (09:51):
So maybe not quite as good at cooling as the other 17s
.
Ida (09:54):
Potentially it highlights how these leaks are still
evolving, but either way, theyhave to be thinking about
cooling with that chip in thebody.
Allan (10:02):
Makes sense.
And connectivity Are we finallyseeing Apple use its own modems
in a big way?
They've been working on thatfor ages.
Ida (10:08):
It looks like it.
The iPhone 17 Air is expectedto be one of the first iPhones
rocking an Apple designed C1 5Gmodem chip C1, okay.
Yeah, while the other iPhone 17models might stick with
Qualcomm for now, the big plusfor Apple's chip is supposed to
be power efficiency.
Allan (10:26):
Ah key for the Air's potential battery situation.
Ida (10:29):
Exactly the potential downside, though it might
actually be a bit slower thanQualcomm modems and maybe
limited to sub-6 gigahertzspeeds.
Allan (10:38):
Meaning no super-fast MMWay 5G.
Ida (10:40):
Probably not for the air.
Yeah, that might be reservedfor the pros, at least initially
.
Allan (10:44):
Okay, interesting internal shift.
What about Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?
Any upgrades?
Ida (10:49):
Yep, Wi-Fi 7 is expected.
That would be Apple's firstcustom-designed Wi-Fi chip.
2.
And Bluetooth 5.3.
So more custom silicon chip 2and Bluetooth 5.3.
So more custom silicon Seemslike the focus is on making
everything tightly integratedand more energy efficient, Again
all serving that thin designand likely battery life concerns
.
Allan (11:09):
Gotcha, and you mentioned one more connectivity change
eSIM only globally.
Ida (11:15):
That's a big one.
Yeah, the rumor is the airmight go e-sim only everywhere,
not just in the us like currentmodels wow, okay, that's
convenient for a lot of peoplejust activating digitally for
sure, but for people who travela lot and swap physical sims or
just prefer having that physicalslot, it could be an annoyance.
Allan (11:31):
Definitely a shift I think I read something kind of
weird about the speakerssomething, something missing.
Ida (11:38):
Ah yeah, that's another intriguing, maybe slightly,
concerning design choice.
The leaks suggest no bottomspeaker.
Allan (11:44):
No speaker on the bottom, just the earpiece.
Ida (11:47):
Apparently the earpiece doubling as a mono speaker, mono
audio on an iPhone.
Allan (11:51):
That's surprising.
Apple usually cares a lot aboutsound.
Ida (11:54):
It is surprising.
It would definitely affectstereo sound when you're
watching videos or gamingwithout headphones.
But you know Apple.
If they're doing this, they'veprobably worked hard on software
processing to make that singlespeaker sound as good as
possible.
Still, it's a potentialcompromise to watch out for.
Allan (12:11):
Definitely OK.
We've covered a lot of the coolstuff the design, the screen,
the internals and some definitetradeoffs but now we got to talk
about the elephant in the room,the thing that could make or
break this phone for a lot ofpeople.
Ida (12:23):
Uh-huh, let me guess Battery life.
Allan (12:26):
Bingo, the potential Achilles heel.
This is where things get reallyinteresting and maybe a bit
controversial.
Ida (12:35):
Yeah, this is the big one, and it comes right back to that
design.
Being super slim just meansless room for the battery.
It's physics.
Allan (12:42):
Right.
So what are the leaks sayingabout capacity?
Ida (12:44):
They're suggesting it could be below 3,000 milliamp hours,
maybe around 2,800 or 2,900milliamp hour.
Allan (12:52):
Oof.
That sounds small for a modernflagship Like iPhone 12 small.
Ida (12:58):
Pretty much exactly.
It would be one of the smallestbatteries in a flagship iPhone
in recent memory.
Allan (13:04):
So the obvious worry is it just won't last all day for
most people, right?
How bad could it be compared toother iPhones?
Ida (13:11):
That's the major concern.
Yeah, the rumors say it won'tlast as long as other iphones.
Apparently, apple's owninternal tests found only maybe
60 70 percent of users could getthrough a full day without
needing a charge 60 to 70percent compared to what for
other models compared to usually80 90 for other iphone models,
(13:32):
that's a significant drop wow,yeah, that means a lot more
people will be hunting for acharger mid-afternoon.
Allan (13:36):
That changes how you use your phone.
It absolutely does.
It's a significant drop.
Wow, yeah, that means a lotmore people will be hunting for
a charger mid-afternoon.
Ida (13:38):
That changes how you use your phone.
It absolutely does.
It's a potentially seriouslimitation for a phone that's
supposed to be your main device.
Allan (13:44):
Is there any hope, any counterargument?
Is Apple just going to releasea phone with subpar battery life
?
Ida (13:49):
Well, there is another perspective, Mark Gurman, who's
usually pretty reliable.
He suggested battery life couldactually be on par with current
iPhones.
Really how, with that smallbattery through a combination of
hardware and software tricks?
Basically, apple's bankingheavily on the power
efficiencies and the newprocessors.
(14:10):
Like that a 19 chip okay andalso new adaptive battery
software in iOS 26, powered byApple intelligence.
The idea is the phone learnsyour habits and dynamically
adjust things like performance,screen brightness, maybe even
that 120 Hertz refresh rate, tosave power when you don't need
it hmm, smart battery managementexactly.
(14:30):
Plus, they're likely using avery high density battery
chemistry, maybe even thatadvanced silicon anode battery
technology people have beentalking about.
That tech basically packs moreenergy into the same physical
space.
Allan (14:42):
So lots of clever engineering to try and make up
for the smaller size.
Ida (14:45):
Yeah.
Allan (14:46):
But I also heard about a slightly ironic backup plan.
Ida (14:50):
Huh, you mean the battery case.
Allan (14:52):
Yeah, is that really a thing they might offer?
The?
Ida (14:54):
rumors suggest yes.
A new battery case specificallyfor the Air is an optional
accessory.
Allan (14:59):
That's kind of funny, isn't it?
They go to all this trouble tomake it incredibly thin.
Ida (15:03):
And then sell you a case to make your thin iPhone thicker,
just so the battery lasts allday.
Allan (15:09):
It perfectly sums up the whole compromise, doesn't it?
Ida (15:11):
It really does.
Oh, and for charging itself,MagSafe is still expected, which
is good for aligning properlyfor wireless charging.
Wired charging speeds probablystay at 35W, but wireless
charging with the newer Q2standard chargers could maybe
hit 25W, which is up from 15Wnow, so a bit faster wirelessly
potentially.
Allan (15:31):
All right, let's try and wrap our heads around this.
All these features, the radicaldesign, the clear compromises,
who is this phone actually forand what's it going to cost?
Ida (15:40):
Price-wise, the early guesses are hovering around $949
.
Allan (15:45):
Okay, so not cheap.
Is that more or less than thePro?
Ida (15:48):
It seems like it might reflect a small like $50 price
bump across the whole iPhone 17line.
There was some back and forth,but the latest info suggests it
will be less expensive than theactual iPhone 17 Pro models.
Allan (16:00):
So still premium pricing, but sitting below the top pro
tier, which brings us back towho buys this paradoxical device
.
It's not really a pro.
That is definitely not thebasic model either.
Ida (16:12):
That's the million dollar question, isn't it?
And it kind of reveals Apple'sstrategy.
I think this phone is a paradox.
Allan (16:19):
Yeah.
Ida (16:20):
You get that super premium, incredibly thin design.
You get the upgraded frontcamera, maybe the high refresh
rate screen.
But, you lose cameras, you losebattery capacity, maybe even
some audio quality.
It seems like Apple is bettingon a new kind of consumer.
Allan (16:36):
Someone who values looks over longevity.
Ida (16:40):
Kind of Someone who values form over function, maybe
Someone who wants the mostelegant iPhone Apple's ever made
and is willing to accept thosecompromises to get it.
They're prioritizing how itfeels to hold that incredibly
thin light device above all else.
Allan (16:55):
Sacrificing some practicality for the ultimate
sleekness.
I bet that's causing somedebate online.
Ida (16:59):
Oh, absolutely.
It's really polarizing.
You see some people sayingthey're very interested.
Maybe they have wrist issues orthey just don't care about
battery because they're alwaysnear a charger.
For them, thin and light is aluxury.
Allan (17:09):
And the other side.
Ida (17:21):
Others are calling it a clear cash grab or saying it's a
product no one asked for,especially with those battery
question marks.
It really shows there isn't oneperfect phone for everyone,
right?
Different needs, differentpriorities.
And hey, maybe it's also astepping stone product for Apple
, a way for them to test outthese super thin designs and
materials before they, you knoweventually launch a foldable
iPhone.
Allan (17:32):
Interesting thought Well, what a deep dive.
This has been the iPhone 17 Air.
Interesting thought Well, whata deep dive.
This has been the iPhone 17 Air.
It's definitely shaping up tobe one of the most intriguing,
maybe controversial, appledevices we've seen in a while
For sure.
Arguably above some corefunctionalities, it feels like
(17:54):
it's designed for a veryspecific person, someone who
thinks yeah, maybe less can bemore.
Ida (17:59):
Yeah.
Allan (18:00):
But only if the right compromises are made.
And that's the big questionmark, isn't it?
Ida (18:03):
It really challenges what we think a flagship phone has to
be.
Does it need three cameras?
Does it need two-day batterylife?
Yeah, or can pure design leadthe way sometimes?
Allan (18:14):
Exactly so.
As we finish up, here'ssomething for you to think about
.
In a world where phones keepgetting more powerful, often
bigger and thicker, whattrade-offs are you personally
willing to make for thatcutting-edge design, for
ultimate portability?
Will this iPhone 17 Airactually redefine what a
flagship can be, or will thosecompromises, especially the
battery, just be too much formost people?
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