Apple wanted to strip the thin iPhone 17 Air of all ports, but it will have to keep USB-C

Apple is preparing to release the iPhone 17 Air, an ultra-thin smartphone that will replace the iPhone 16 Plus. The main feature of the device will be its record-breaking thinness – only 5.5 mm, which will make it the thinnest iPhone in history. When developing this model, the company considered the concept of completely abandoning the connectors, but ultimately this idea was rejected.

Image Source: Apple

One of the probable reasons for this decision was European legislation requiring manufacturers to equip mobile devices with a USB-C connector. Apple has long been developing MagSafe technology and improving wireless data transfer systems, but a complete rejection of physical interfaces could lead to a ban on sales of the smartphone in Europe. Thus, despite testing the concept of a completely wireless device, the iPhone 17 Air will retain the USB-C connector.

According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the smartphone will receive a 6.6-inch display with ProMotion technology, which provides a smooth adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. For a long time, it remained unclear whether the iPhone 17 Air will have Camera Control, first introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro. Now this fact has been confirmed. Camera Control will allow you to control the iPhone camera from other Apple devices, including iPad and Mac.

Apple’s quest to create an ultra-thin smartphone required serious compromises. Unlike the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 17 Air will only have one main camera. In addition, the device will be deprived of a second speaker, which may negatively affect the quality of stereo sound. However, the company is betting on a thin body and an improved display.

Image Source: 9to5mac.com

The thin body of the smartphone required a reduction in battery capacity, which usually has a negative impact on battery life. However, Apple engineers redesigned the display architecture, optimized silicon components, and made changes to the software. Thanks to these solutions, it was possible to increase the energy efficiency of the device and maintain a competitive level of its battery life.

The iPhone 17 Air will feature Apple’s new C1 5G modem, which debuted in the iPhone 16e. This modem is designed by Apple itself, allowing the company to reduce its reliance on third-party providers. However, it has a limitation: the C1 does not support mmWave, which can reduce data transfer speeds in regions where this standard is actively used. Despite this, Apple claims that the smartphone will provide “super-fast 5G connections.”

The expected price of the iPhone 17 Air will be $900, which makes it an attractive offer in the premium segment. If the forecast comes true, the smartphone will be of interest to users who value a combination of a thin case, high performance and energy efficiency. Analysts suggest that Apple expects to make the iPhone 17 Air a more mass-market product compared to flagship models.

This is not the first time the $900 price tag has been mentioned. In December, The Wall Street Journal made a similar forecast. If this information is confirmed, the iPhone 17 Air could become one of the most sought-after devices in the lineup, as it combines a new design, advanced technology, and a more affordable price compared to the Pro series models.