Apple is currently gearing up to host its Awe dropping event tomorrow, September 9, where the spotlight is expected to fall on the new iPhone 17 Air. But according to Bloomberg, while the device will make headlines for its thin and light design, most consumers may be better off skipping it.
The iPhone 17 Air is said to feature a slimmer body with a 6.6-inch display, making it the first major new iPhone design in years. However, according to the report, the device will come with notable trade-offs, including shorter battery life and only a single rear camera, at a time when rival devices and other iPhone models boast multiple lenses and stronger batteries. Pricing will likely be another drawback. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to cost more than the standard iPhone 17, which offers longer battery life and additional cameras.
Also read: Apple iPhone 16 Pro price drops by over Rs 21,700: How to grab this deal
Bloomberg compares the situation to the launch of the original MacBook Air in 2008. That laptop was revolutionary for its design, but initially failed to sell well due to high pricing and weaker specifications. Only after a 2010 redesign, with stronger hardware and a lower starting price, did it become Apple’s best-selling Mac, according to the report.
The report suggests Apple may be following the same playbook with the iPhone Air. While thinness once mattered when laptops were bulky, it may not excite smartphone buyers in 2025, especially when Samsung’s similarly slim S25 Edge failed to gain traction.
Also read: Apple iPhone 16 available with Rs 11,500 discount ahead of iPhone 17 launch
Still, Bloomberg notes the iPhone 17 Air could be important for the future of Apple’s product lineup. “The engineering, battery-chemistry changes, inclusion of in-house modems and wireless chips, display adjustments and production improvements will all make it easier for Apple to introduce its first foldable iPhone next year. That will be followed by a revamped Pro model in 2027,” the report added.